Medicare will provide up to eight free over the counter COVID rapid tests a month to enrolled seniors with the “Part B” outpatient benefit early this spring. They will also be available to people with Medicare Advantage. The at-home tests will be available at pharmacies and other locations. The Associated Press reports this will be...
Health Officials Worried Artificial Snow May Lead To More Injuries
100% of the snow at the Beijing Winter Olympics is artificial. Kaiser Health News reports that some Montana ski areas are beginning to explore similar options through wastewater. University of Washington Medicine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mia Hagan says manufactured snow is far more likely to cause injury.
Program Addressing Foster Children Seeing Early Success In Montana
According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, the number of children removed from their homes and in care elsewhere was 3,021 at the end of January. The federal government has now approved a five-year Family First Prevention Plan incorporating several different programs that work with parents to help keep children sa...
Marijuana Revenue To Fund State Substance Abuse Program
With sales of recreational marijuana expected to raise millions of dollars in tax revenue Governor Greg Gianforte explains where some of that money is going.
Renovation Plans In The Works For Missouri Headwaters State Park
Montana State Parks is developing the first of its kind master plan for Missouri Headwaters State Park a 536-acre park at the confluence of the Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison rivers near Three Forks. Initial reports show visitation increased about 46% between 2019 and 2021. To help guide future development the draft plan ranks the park’s need...
Bill Expanding Veteran Health Care Unanimously Passed By VA Committee
The U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously passed legislation Wednesday co-sponsored by Chairman Jon Tester to offer post-9/11 combat-veterans access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care. During the hearing Senator Tester pointed out how the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act will address additional effects of toxic exp...
Daines Introduces Bill To Aid Communities Near Public Lands
Senator Steve Daines co-sponsored the “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act” this week. It is intended to support gateway communities and address challenges facing national parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages.
Judge Rules State Legislators Violated the Constitution
District Court Judge Mike Menahan ruled Thursday legislators violated the state Constitution when they added sections unrelated to the original intent of Senate Bill 319 during a free conference committee meeting one day before the 2021 Legislature adjourned. Those committees by law are confined to discuss amendments to the bill on which the t...
International Meat Packer Reaches Settlement For Price Fixing Case
Brazilian Food Processing Company JBS has agreed to pay $52.5 million to settle litigation accusing it and other meat-packing companies of conspiring to limit supply of the American beef market to inflate prices and boost profit. In a video released by Senator Steve Daines Stevensville Rancher Tony Hudson recently talked about challenges Monta...
Montana Tribes To Receive Settlement Funds From Opioid Case
According to a filing in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, North American tribes have reached settlements over the toll of opioids totaling $590 million with drugmaker Johnson and Johnson and the country’s three largest drug distribution companies. All federally recognized tribes in the United States including Montana’s 12 tribal nations will ...