Health care

Some state Medicaid services are on the chopping block due to a budget shortfall. The state health department estimates it will need at least another $7 million, but isn’t saying what services might be cut.

Montana’s health department says it’s moving forward with plans to reimburse trained, non-medical maternal health professionals called “doulas” through Medicaid. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy sat down with KFF Health News reporter Katheryn Houghton to get the update.

Montana has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the U.S. The kind of psychiatric care kids need after a suicide attempt isn’t always available in-state. Many families are forced to send their child to a facility across the country. A new program near Bozeman hopes to make that less common.

Youth on the Rocky Boy's Reservation now have a new hub to learn, play and even receive health care. Doors to the The Good Life Lodge opened in late March after 5 years of work.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Sam Lux, a Democrat running for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat.

Democrats seeking their party's nomination for the state's U.S. House seats met in Helena last weekend to debate. The eastern district candidates covered many issues, including how they each plan to address health care costs. In the western district debate, candidates traded sharp criticisms over union backing and 'dark money.'

Hundreds of miles of open road can stretch between expectant mothers and the maternity care they need in rural Montana. That’s where trained, non-medical professionals called “doulas” can help fill the gap. Montana was set to start reimbursing doulas through Medicaid this year, but federal cuts to the health program have put that plan on ice.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Russ Cleveland, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Ryan Busse, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar speaks with Kimberly Persico, an independent candidate running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.