Topic

Health

Covering health policy, public health, and medical developments across Montana. This archive includes reporting on healthcare policy, community health issues, and statewide health initiatives. Coverage of Montana’s COVID-19 response is also included.

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TONIGHT: Lolo Community Center Meeting Regarding COVID-19 Lawsuit

The Lolo Community Center will be holding their community board meeting tonight at 7pm. On the agenda is discussion of the new lawsuit against Missoula City-County Board of Health and Ellen Leahy that the community center is named as a plaintiff in. According to community member reports, the Lolo Community Center lost approximately $15,000 in…

LAWSUIT: Missoulians vs Missoula Health Board and Ellen Leahy Over COVID-19 Restrictions

More Montana officials are in hot water for their responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Last month, a lawsuit was filed against former Governor Steve Bullock and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Last week, more citizens filed suit against officials, this time in Missoula County. The suit was filed against the Missoula…

800+ Signatures Demand Resignation of Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley

After being rebuked recently by Governor Gianforte and later Attorney General Knudsen, Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley is facing additional heat for his SARS-CoV-2 orders. This time, from the citizens of Gallatin County. Gallatin County resident Kyle Voigtlander, 22, started a Change.org petition calling on other Gallatin County residents to “Demand the Resignation of…

Are Missoula County Health Department SARS-CoV-2 Tests Even Accurate?

World Health Organization points to need for “careful interpretation of weak positive test results” day of Joe Biden inauguration.

Matt Kelley Rebuked. MT AG Austin Knudsen orders Rocking R Bar lawsuit dropped and nullified.

Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen ordered the dismissal of the COVID-19 curfew case that Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley filed against the Rocking R Bar in Bozeman. He gave a deadline of Friday by noon for Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert to act. Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen today exercised his supervisory powers in…

New legislation would require elected official approval of local health board and officer actions

New legislation being considered today by Montana legislators would amend the authority of local health boards and officers to offer a new check on their orders, directives, and mandates. The legislation, House Bill 121, was proposed by Montana state representative David Bedey of Hamilton. Under the proposed legislation, governing bodies of local health authorities, such…

Gov. Gianforte Rescinds Business Restrictions on Capacity and Hours. Mask mandates continue.

Gianforte is repealing existing directives that restrict hours of operations for bars, restaurants, casinos. Also repealing directives that limit capacity limits. “I look forward to a day when we can all take off our masks, throw them in the trash and get on with our lives in a safe manner. Until we get there, I…

Montana Legislature to Consider Additional “COVID-19 Rules” for Legislative Session Tomorrow

Update: Meeting changed from Tuesday 1/12 to Thursday 1/14. The Montana State Legislature is considering new “COVID-19 rules” for the 2021 legislative session tomorrow. The Legislative Leadership COVID-19 Response Panel is considering rules that would make the legislative session 100% remote, require masks, and more. Tentative rules already adopted by the panel include temperature checks,…

Yellowstone County rescinds local health orders “effective immediately”

Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton announced Thursday, January 7th, that he was, “rescinding all Yellowstone County COVID-19 Health Officer orders effective immediately.” The restrictions that Felton mandated included ordering businesses to close by 10pm and ordering churches, bars, gyms, and restaurants to 50% capacity. Felton cited lower case numbers as reasoning for rescinding the…