Montana Lawmakers approve $124M to revamp behavioral health system
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Introduction:
The news topic “Montana Lawmakers approve $124M to revamp behavioral health system” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.
Quick Summary:
- Lawmakers backed bulk of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s vision to bolster and expand the system. Legislators then went several steps further to fill what they saw as gaps in the governor’s proposals. They agreed to build a new mental health facility in eastern Montana, add more beds at existing state facilities, fund more crisis beds in communities. They also agreed to revise some civil and criminal commitment procedures, and reimburse counties when criminal defendants ordered to state facilities are held in county jails. The state has been working in recent years to reverse the loss of community-based mental health services and regain federal certification of the state psychiatric hospital, lost in 2022 after a spate of patient deaths. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Montana chapter said the legislative action gives them hope.
- Montana’s behavioral health care system will get a shot in the arm. Lawmakers backed the bulk of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s vision to bolster the system. Legislators then went several steps further to fill what they saw as gaps in the governor’s proposals. They agreed to build a new mental health facility in eastern Montana, add more beds at existing state facilities, fund more crisis beds in communities, revise some civil and criminal commitment procedures, and reimburse counties when criminal defendants ordered to state facilities are held in county jails. The state has been working in recent years to reverse the loss of community-based mental health services and regain federal certification of the state psychiatric hospital, lost in 2022 after a spate of patient deaths. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Montana chapter said the legislative action gives them hope.
- Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration is looking into moving a facility for people with developmental disabilities, beefing up renovations at the Montana State Hospital. The changes, backers say, would fill gaps in services and help people better prepare for life outside of the locked, secure setting of the two state facilities. A 2023 law set aside the $300 million for improving state services for mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental disabilities. The capital projects are separate ideas for using up to $32.5 million earmarked within the $75 million pool of funds for building new infrastructure or remodeling existing buildings. The state Department of Public Health and Human Services and consultants for the behavioral health commission presented commission members with areas for capital investments in October, according to a report.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Original Coverage
Lawmakers backed bulk of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s vision to bolster and expand the system. Legislators then went several steps further to fill what they saw as gaps in the governor’s proposals. They agreed to build a new mental health facility in eastern Montana, add more beds at existing state facilities, fund more crisis beds in communities. They also agreed to revise some civil and criminal commitment procedures, and reimburse counties when criminal defendants ordered to state facilities are held in county jails. The state has been working in recent years to reverse the loss of community-based mental health services and regain federal certification of the state psychiatric hospital, lost in 2022 after a spate of patient deaths. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Montana chapter said the legislative action gives them hope. Read full article
Montana Lawmakers Approve $124M To Revamp Behavioral Health System
Montana’s behavioral health care system will get a shot in the arm. Lawmakers backed the bulk of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s vision to bolster the system. Legislators then went several steps further to fill what they saw as gaps in the governor’s proposals. They agreed to build a new mental health facility in eastern Montana, add more beds at existing state facilities, fund more crisis beds in communities, revise some civil and criminal commitment procedures, and reimburse counties when criminal defendants ordered to state facilities are held in county jails. The state has been working in recent years to reverse the loss of community-based mental health services and regain federal certification of the state psychiatric hospital, lost in 2022 after a spate of patient deaths. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Montana chapter said the legislative action gives them hope. Read full article
Montana eyes $30M revamp of mental health, developmental disability facilities
Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration is looking into moving a facility for people with developmental disabilities, beefing up renovations at the Montana State Hospital. The changes, backers say, would fill gaps in services and help people better prepare for life outside of the locked, secure setting of the two state facilities. A 2023 law set aside the $300 million for improving state services for mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental disabilities. The capital projects are separate ideas for using up to $32.5 million earmarked within the $75 million pool of funds for building new infrastructure or remodeling existing buildings. The state Department of Public Health and Human Services and consultants for the behavioral health commission presented commission members with areas for capital investments in October, according to a report. Read full article
Medicaid expansion debate will affect other health policy issues before Montana Legislature
Montana expanded Medicaid, initially for four years, in 2015. A similar coalition renewed the program in 2019, but at the last moment, Senate Republicans tacked on an end date of June 30, 2025. Last year, the Gianforte administration completed a post-pandemic eligibility reassessment that cut the number of expansion enrollees from a high of 125,000 people in April and May 2023 to approximately 76,600 people as of May 1, 2018.Republicans still hold strong majorities in the state House and Senate, whose leaders voiced concerns about the expansion program. The program pays the medical bills of more than 75,000 low-income Montanans at an annual cost of about $1 billion to the federal and state governments. The Medicaid expansion debate, however, looms largest among the health care topics. Read full article
Mental Health
KFF analyzes school shootings at the national and state level. Data on the number of youths injured by or exposed to school gun violence is not federally tracked. We analyzed the Washington Post data in order to calculate the rate of exposure to school shootings from 1999 through 2024. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Original Article
- Montana Lawmakers Approve $124M To Revamp Behavioral Health System
- Montana eyes $30M revamp of mental health, developmental disability facilities
- Medicaid expansion debate will affect other health policy issues before Montana Legislature
- Mental Health
Source: https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-legistlature/montana-lawmakers-approve-124m-to-revamp-behavioral-health-system