Aaron Bolton

2 days ago | mtpr.org | Aaron Bolton

In a press release Tuesday, St. Patrick Hospital said it will close its Family Maternity Center in October. The hospital cited staffing shortages and declining birth rates. Montana’s birth rate has steadily declined for more than a decade, according to the March of Dimes. Montana Hospital Association President Bob Olson says, “If you do not have the volume, it’s tough to afford the medical component.”It’s not just keeping birthing centers financially afloat that’s hard.

4 days ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler |Shaylee Ragar |Aaron Bolton

Labor Department will pause youth career training; Montana offices to remain openThe U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth.The federal Job Corps program offers technical and educational training to young people between 16 and 24 years old. It provides students access to room and board for up to three years while they learn industry-specific skills.

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Aaron Bolton

Just before the holiday weekend the U.S. House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as it’s been named. To pay for President Donald Trump’s major priorities like tax cuts and border security, lawmakers are targeting health care spending. The legislation is expected to reduce federal health care spending by $700 billion over the next decade. That’s according to the Congressional Budget Office estimate.

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Aaron Bolton

Two more measles cases have been confirmed in Montana. One case in Hill County exposed others in the community. Hill County public health officials announced late last week that a local child is isolating after they contracted measles. In a press release, the health department said it was unclear where they became infected. It said the child also exposed an unknown number of people at a private gathering. The county is holding an accelerated measles vaccine clinic to help prevent further spread.

1 week ago | kuow.org | Aaron Bolton

Lawsuit shuts down Montana clinic that helped people sickened by asbestosAsbestos mining sickened generations of people in Libby, Montana. Now, a lawsuit has shut down a clinic set up to help them, even as others continue to be diagnosed.