Health care

Open enrollment for Marketplace health plans is underway, Many Montanans could face steep premium hikes if Congress doesn't renew existing tax credits. That debate is at the heart of the federal government shutdown. MTPR’s Aaron Bolton reports on what that would mean for one Montanan.

Helena’s county health department held its first community baby shower over the weekend. Around 60 expecting families qualified to participate.

Seniors are one of the fastest growing homeless populations, but most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help with specialized needs. MTPR's Aaron Bolton visited a shelter for seniors in Utah to see if their model could work in Montana.

Open enrollment for the federal health insurance marketplace is just a couple weeks away. Montanans might experience some sticker shock when they start shopping around.

Montana has long had one of the highest suicide rates nationwide. Many of those deaths involve firearms. Montana’s seniors are also dying by suicide at high rates.

Federal lawmakers this summer created a $50 billion fund to stabilize rural hospitals and other providers. State health officials want public comment on how to spend that money.

Public comment period opens for proposed Medicaid work requirements. Chippewa Cree Tribe awarded $2.5 million for hepatitis C treatment. Missoula County awarded $1.2 million for wildfire mitigation. Trump administration appoints new director of Montana's Rural Development office. UM, MSU report growth in enrollment and student retention

Lawmakers are studying whether ambulance services should be taxpayer funded. Emergency medical services agencies told legislators that without funding support, many ambulance services won’t survive.

People living in southwest Montana have long struggled to find care when they experience a mental health crisis. They often drove for hundreds of miles to get help. A new facility is opening to serve those patients.

State health officials told lawmakers this week they will likely need more funding to implement Medicaid work requirements.