healthcare

Opponents said gender affirming medical care has a profound benefit to trans youth, and said the bill was unconstitutional by violating Montanans’ right to privacy.

Montana lawmakers could expand the limited authority the state already gives pharmacists to prescribe medications and devices.

The bill builds off of legislation passed in 2021 that restricted cities or counties from establishing minimum wage and compensation requirements above state or federal wage laws.

Two proposals would make it easier for professionals with out-of-state licenses to work in Montana, but that tactic likely won’t be enough to fill the demand for mental health providers.

Montana officials are looking to tighten rules around medically necessary abortions for those who use Medicaid as their health insurance. Reproductive health advocates and Democratic lawmakers have said the move is part of a broader agenda to whittle away access to the procedure.

Lacking a guarantee from City Council, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency this week tabled a decision on funding a costly ventilation project at a city shop with toxic air without first knowing whether elected officials will approve plans for a larger revenue bond that's needed to fund vital infrastructure work in the Scott Street district.

The bill would state, “The right of individual privacy as referenced in the Montana constitution, the Montana Code Annotated, or the Administrative Rules of Montana does not create, and may not be construed as creating or recognizing, a right to abortion or to governmental funding of abortion.”

The House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that supporters say would address substantial problems with how Montana responds to sexual assault cases by expanding sexual assault nurse examiner training and services to rural communities.

State lawmakers from both parties have shown support for a plan to stop the practice of committing people with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, or traumatic brain injuries without their consent to the troubled Montana State Hospital and instead direct them to treatment in their communities.

Citing the need for competitive employment policies, members of the Missoula City Council on Wednesday voted in committee to rescind an old city policy around paid parental leave and replace it with something more equitable.