In Montana 46% of rural hospitals don’t have doctors 24/7 in emergency rooms
A first of a kind study found that in 2022 at least 7.4% of emergency departments across the U.S. did not have an attending physician on-site 24/7. In Montana for small rural hospitals it was 46% the third-highest rate in the country. Rural ERs may see fewer patients but they still treat serious cases.
Social Security’s $5.1B Boost to Montana’s Economy
This year marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security and remains one of the nation’s longest-running federal programs. More than 96,000 Montanans rely on Social Security as their primary source of income and it adds $5.1 billion to Montana’s economy each year. Without Social Security 37.3% of Montanans age 65 and older would live in poverty but with it that figure is 9.4%.
Bozeman-based group sues EPA over three water quality bills passed in spring
Legislation Montana lawmakers passed this spring to loosen water quality standards is the focus of a legal action taken by Upper Missouri Waterkeeper. The Bozeman-based environmental group alleges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has violated the Clean Water Act by failing to act on a petition to review House Bills 664 685 and 736.
Yellowstone National Park visitation through July just off record high
Yellowstone National Park one of the biggest drivers of Montana’s tourism sector saw 974,109 recreation visitors in July. During the first seven months of the year tourists visiting Yellowstone numbered 2,666,031. Data from earlier this year showed Yellowstone and Glacier National Park in northwest Montana were on pace for record-breaking years.
Montana health-care leaders unite to strengthen statewide collaboration
The University of Montana received an $11 million grant a year ago to establish a research center and it recently hosted its first statewide meeting. Its goal was to unite health-care leaders researchers and public health officials to strengthen Montana’s health-care workforce expand expertise and improve health outcomes for residents.
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Lincoln County area veterans now have more choices for medical appointments. The local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office transports patients to the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane for medical appointments and recently began making trips to Kalispell. They are made from Libby and Troy to Spokane Monday through Thursday and to Kalispell Monday through Friday.
Two Montana State Prison employees have settled into their new residence in Deer Lodge after living in a camper for the last seven months. Kenneth and Stephanie Erb officially have their keys to their townhome in the Pintler Meadows Project a new state-funded workforce housing unit that officials hope can help end a recruitment issue that’s plagued the facility.
Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula has once been named one of the world’s best hospitals and the top hospital in the state of Montana by both Newsweek and Statista. 2,400 hospitals are judged each year across 30 different countries and the methodology is made to match the rigor and valor of the hospitals recognized.
Starting in September the Great Falls Animal Shelter will look and feel very different for its furry friends. The shelter is expanding providing pets with additional space sunshine and opportunities to find forever homes. It’s being made possible due to donations from organizations like the ASPCA and local community members.
The FVCC Wachholz College Center’s “Made in Montana” summer film series’ selection of the 1980 Western epic “Heaven’s Gate” will be shown this evening at 7. It might look a little familiar to some Flathead Valley residents because it was filmed primarily along Two Medicine Lake in East Glacier Park and the film’s cast and crew were based out of Kalispell during the shoot.
