AGP Executive Report

Montana Veterans Care: A new “state of the art” VA clinic opened in Lewistown, nearly doubling space and using the VA’s Patient Aligned Care Team model to streamline care for veterans and women’s health needs. Hospital Quality Watch: A national patient-experience analysis ranked New York hospitals among the worst for patient satisfaction, underscoring ongoing gaps in how patients rate care. Food Safety: Health officials are responding to rising outbreaks of parasitic and bacterial illnesses tied to contaminated foods, with cyclosporiasis cases continuing to climb. Forest Health & Wildfire Policy: The USDA moved to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, a major shift that would reopen tens of millions of acres to road building and logging—sparking debate over whether it will reduce or worsen wildfire risk. Mental Health Support Locally: Whitehall’s Angel Wings Montana Foundation announced an 80s-themed fundraiser focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Community Health & Wellness: Montana’s Providence St. Patrick Hospital was again ranked No. 1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report, with strong specialty ratings.

Sex Trafficking Case in Billings: A 78-year-old Wyoming man, Roy Scott Reid, pleaded not guilty to aggravated sex trafficking after allegations he targeted homeless and indigent women for sex in exchange for cash and alcohol; bail was set at $25,000 with GPS monitoring and strict no-contact limits. Personalized Weight-Loss for Cancer Survivors: A Johns Hopkins-led trial found breast cancer survivors who didn’t lose enough weight after two months of nutrition and exercise were more likely to reach goals once an FDA-approved anti-obesity medication was added—supporting earlier tailoring of obesity care. Wildfire Medical Support: In Wisdom, Montana, firefighters battling the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires run a camp “medical tent” for minor injuries and foot care to keep crews on the line, with crews also using backburns and building containment lines. Wolf Harvest Debate: Ahead of the Aug. 19 FWP meeting, the agency is recommending cutting the fall 2026–winter 2027 wolf harvest quota after updated population estimates, setting up a tense public fight over how wolves are counted and managed. Water Project Moves Forward: The Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority says federal legislation to authorize its rural water project is advancing toward hearings this fall, a key step for clean water and long-term infrastructure in eastern Montana. Hospital Experience Snapshot: A national analysis of CMS patient-rated hospital experience reports top performance in the Midwest and Mountain West, with Wisconsin leading—useful context for Montana patients comparing care experiences. Opioid Pharmacy Burglary Sentencing: A California man was sentenced to 92 months for pharmacy break-ins across Idaho and Montana targeting controlled substances, highlighting ongoing risks to local medication supply and public health. Childcare Crunch in Big Sky: A new market analysis says childcare in Big Sky costs more than families can afford while providers face capacity and workforce strain as jobs grow faster than the local population.

Hospital Experience: A new national analysis of CMS HCAHPS patient survey star ratings finds Wisconsin leads the U.S. for patient-rated hospital experience, while Florida ranks last, with the Midwest and Mountain West consistently scoring highest. Forensic Mental Health Fight: In Laurel, a lawsuit challenges the state’s plan for a forensic mental health center, with residents arguing the environmental review didn’t fully account for water needs; the state says it could use eminent domain to force water and sewer connections. Fire Updates: Cooler weather and rain helped crews make progress on the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires in the West Pioneers area, with continued line building and backfire tactics. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA posted a recall of gourmet popcorn sold in 43 states due to misdeclared nutrients; officials say it’s a labeling issue, not contamination. Youth Alcohol Use: A new analysis finds more girls ages 12–20 report past-month drinking and binge drinking than boys. Wolf Management: Ahead of Montana’s FWP commission meeting, stakeholders are weighing in on a proposed wolf harvest quota cut after concerns about how wolf numbers were estimated. Opioid Theft Case: A California man was sentenced to federal prison for pharmacy break-ins across Idaho and Montana targeting controlled substances.

Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough: Intermountain Health’s St. George Regional Hospital is set to begin using daraxonrasib, an oral targeted therapy that nearly doubled survival in early trials—an important Montana-area win in the fight against one of the deadliest cancers. Public Health & Safety: FDA inspection data shows one Missoula County-based company (American National Red Cross) received a July biologics inspection with “No Action Indicated,” offering a quick look at local oversight. Rural Health Access: Montana telehealth planning is aiming to speed up child abuse consultations, targeting faster specialist support for families. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: West Nile virus has been confirmed in Montana, with health officials urging residents to protect against mosquito bites. Wildfire Health: Wildfire smoke is being linked to health concerns across parts of Central Montana, underscoring the need for precautions during smoky stretches. Community Health Infrastructure: A new VA clinic is nearly doubling space for Montana veterans, expanding care capacity for those who served.

Breakthrough Cancer Care: Intermountain Health says St. George Regional Hospital is starting use of daraxonrasib, an oral targeted therapy that nearly doubled survival in early pancreatic cancer trials—called a “paradigm shift” for a cancer with low cure rates. Public Input on Water Health: The International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board will release its draft final report Sept. 30, kicking off a public comment period through Oct. 16, with meetings and a feedback form. Veterans Access Expands: A new VA clinic in Lewistown nearly doubles space, adding exam rooms (including women’s health), on-site lab services, and telehealth for about 770 regular users. Rural Training in Action: Northern Montana Hospital in Havre welcomed a third-year medical student for a clinical rotation, including work in family medicine, hospital care, and labor-and-delivery areas. Wildfire Preparedness: A Montana emergency management guide highlights defensible space steps—clearing debris, reducing ember-catching vegetation, and creating a safer perimeter around homes. Health & Safety in the Outdoors: A father and son completed a cross-country bike trip after a stroke during a Glacier National Park hike, while separate reports note fatal rockfall injuries at the park. Local Justice Update: A Gallatin County judge sentenced Christopher Wardle to four years with two suspended in the Catherine Sorensen case after witness-tampering pleas.

Rural Veterans Care: A new VA clinic in Lewistown nearly doubled space to about 6,100 square feet, adding exam rooms (including women’s health), on-site lab services, and telehealth for routine, specialty, and mental health care. Healthcare Workforce & Access: A third-year medical student returned to Havre for a first clinical rotation at Northern Montana Hospital, shadowing family medicine and obstetrics-focused care. Public Health & Prevention: Health officials are urging mosquito bite precautions after West Nile virus was confirmed in Montana, with additional reports of positive mosquitoes in counties. Safety & Community Health: A Montana teenager died after a faulty fairground ride in Butte; a lawsuit alleges defective restraints and inadequate safety steps. Local Policy & Health Priorities: U.S. Rep. Troy Downing highlighted meetings tied to veterans’ access to care and housing, plus rural hospital workforce and reimbursement issues during recent Montana visits. Wildfire Readiness: A wildfire safety guide emphasized defensible space—clearing debris and reducing vegetation near homes—to slow ember-driven spread.

VA Care Expansion: A new VA clinic in Lewistown nearly doubles space, adding four exam rooms (including women’s health), on-site lab, and telehealth, with the $1.7M site now serving about 770 active users. Rural Health Access: Congressman Troy Downing highlighted rural hospital needs during visits, focusing on workforce shortages, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, behavioral health, and 340B. Public Health Watch: West Nile virus has been confirmed in Montana, with officials urging mosquito bite precautions as activity continues. Health & Safety in the Wild: A Kansas City great-grandfather died after a rock crashed through a Jeep roof while visiting Glacier National Park, underscoring risks around popular scenic routes. Community Support: The Montana Rescue Mission in Billings is expanding services and capacity, including a medical clinic tied to public health providers. Food Safety: A SNAP-related report from Pennsylvania warns that payment error rates could drive major benefit cost increases if not addressed.

Veterans Care Expansion: A new VA clinic in Lewistown nearly doubled space, now serving about 770 active Montana veterans with four exam rooms (including women’s health), on-site labs, and telehealth. Public Health & Safety: A measles map shows cases spiking as the Trump administration overhauls vaccine guidance, raising concerns about immunity gaps. Wildfire Preparedness: Musselshell County emergency leaders stress defensible space now—clearing debris, reducing ember-carrying vegetation, and creating a 100-foot zone around homes. Community Health & Housing: The Montana Rescue Mission in Billings is expanding emergency shelter capacity and adding recovery-focused services, including a medical clinic tied to public health providers. Food Safety: Salmonella-linked jalapeño recalls keep widening, with more products pulled as contamination spreads downstream. Outdoor Health: Glacier National Park reports another fatal falling-rock incident involving a Kansas City man, underscoring hazards on popular routes. Policy Watch: A Gallatin County judge sentenced Christopher Wardle to four years after rejecting a plea deal in the Catherine Sorensen case.

Montana Health & Safety: The Montana Department of Environmental Quality says it has finished stabilizing Libby Creek embankment damage from last December’s floods, after the washout compromised an EPA asbestos cleanup site; DEQ worked with local partners and contractors and is seeking partial FEMA reimbursement. Homelessness & Care Access: The Montana Rescue Mission in Billings is expanding capacity and services, including a new campus with an on-site medical clinic and plans to add more beds for winter demand, plus more housing for elders and families. Public Health Watch: Health officials report West Nile virus activity in Montana, urging mosquito bite precautions as cases in mosquitoes/pools are confirmed. Policy & Health Coverage: Montana telehealth planning aims to speed child abuse consultations, while other coverage debates continue around Medicaid rules and access. Community Health & Wellness: A new Missoula housing program is described as support for youth aging out of foster care, and local senior expo programming highlights free education and resources for older adults. Wildlife & Risk: A viewpoint piece argues Montana’s wolf management proposal can’t be justified by wolf counts alone, as debate continues over how the state estimates populations.

Telehealth Access: Montana is launching a telehealth effort to speed expert guidance for suspected child abuse cases, reducing the need to send clinicians hundreds of miles out of state. Cancer Care Update: Intermountain Health says 10 hospitals in Utah, Colorado and Montana will be among the first to provide a new pancreatic cancer drug through an expanded access program. Public Health Alert: West Nile virus has been detected in Montana after positive mosquito pools in Roosevelt County; officials urge daily mosquito bite prevention. Hospital Spotlight: Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula was ranked No. 1 in Montana by U.S. News & World Report, with top regional and high-performing specialty ratings. Community Health & Safety: Missoula broke ground on a new Mountain Line operations center, highlighting improved access to healthcare appointments through expanded transit. Wildfire Health: Smoke and wildfire impacts remain a concern across Montana as officials track air quality and fire conditions. Local Animal Welfare: A Eureka man faces dozens of animal cruelty and neglect charges after authorities seized 40 dogs. Health-Related Research in Montana: A look back at a 2016 drone project used peanut-butter vaccine baits to protect prairie dogs and help save endangered ferrets.

Cancer Care Update: Intermountain Health says 10 hospitals in Utah, Colorado and Montana—including McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden and Intermountain Health Layton Hospital—will be among the first to offer an expanded-access protocol for a new pancreatic cancer drug, calling it a potential “game changer.” Public Health—West Nile: Montana health officials confirmed West Nile virus in Roosevelt County after positive mosquito pools, warning that human risk could rise as mosquitoes stay active; there’s no vaccine or targeted treatment for people, so prevention is key. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños has spread to 27 states, with hundreds sickened nationwide; Montana is among the affected areas. Community Health & Caregiving: MSU Extension will host a mobile memory cafe in Scobey (Aug. 26) to help families and caregivers navigate dementia and brain health. Rural Health Access: A Montana family medicine residency marks 30 years training doctors in the state, highlighting ongoing workforce needs. Health Tech Coverage: Cerenome’s CNSide CSF tumor test added an in-network agreement with HCSC, expanding contracted coverage that includes Montana.

Wildfire Health Watch: Northwest Montana clinics are seeing COPD and asthma flare-ups as wildfire smoke lingers; one report notes an AQI peak of 211 in Columbia Falls before easing, and officials urge people to limit smoke exposure. Public Health Alert: Montana confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Roosevelt County, with health officials warning risk could rise through October and recommending strict bite prevention. Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors, listing products sold in Montana and other states—customers are told not to eat recalled items. Pediatric Care Access: UM and Providence launched a telehealth program (MT CAN) to help rural providers and child welfare teams respond to suspected child abuse and neglect. Cancer Breakthrough: Intermountain hospitals, including in Montana, are offering an FDA Expanded Access option for a pancreatic cancer drug after trial results nearly doubled survival. Early Childhood Policy: Proposed Head Start changes in Montana could shift classroom language rules and increase focus on health and nutrition, raising concerns about who may be left out. Community Mental Health: Lewis and Clark Public Health is using a Montana Arts Council grant to test whether creative group activities can reduce healthcare burnout. Workforce & Training: Teton County is recruiting more EMT volunteers to fill ambulance crew gaps, with training plans discussed for the coming months.

West Nile Virus Watch: Montana health officials confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes after two positive pools in Roosevelt County, warning risk could rise through October and urging strict mosquito bite prevention. Wildfire Smoke & Lung Care: A Flathead Valley clinic reported COPD and asthma flare-ups as wildfire smoke pushed air quality into very unhealthy territory, with officials urging people to limit exposure. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled dozens of jalapeño products tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, including items sold in Montana—customers are told not to eat and to discard or return affected products. Cancer Breakthrough (Montana Access): Intermountain Health says a “game changer” pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib, is available to eligible patients in Montana through an FDA expanded access program while full approval is pending. Rural Child Abuse Telehealth: UM and Providence launched a telehealth program (MT CAN) to help rural providers and child welfare professionals respond to suspected abuse and neglect. Medicare Reminder: Montana Medicare beneficiaries are urged to review Medicare statements to help spot fraud and errors. EMS Staffing Push: Teton County is recruiting EMT volunteers as rural ambulance coverage remains tight.

Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough: Intermountain Health says a new drug, daraxonrasib, is nearly doubling survival for stage 4 pancreatic cancer patients via an extended access program at 10 hospitals across Colorado, Montana and Utah. Public Health Alert: Montana confirmed West Nile virus in mosquito pools in Roosevelt County; officials urge bite prevention since no human or horse cases have been reported yet. Mental Health Access: NOCD announced plans to expand its virtual intensive outpatient therapy for OCD nationwide, with the program already available in Montana. Homelessness & Care: Montana Rescue Mission is expanding its emergency shelter by 35 beds (to 92 total) and adding ventilation work, alongside its RiverStone Health clinic for people experiencing homelessness. Community Health in Smoke: Big Sky Rotary taught residents how to build DIY air cleaners to reduce wildfire smoke exposure during worsening air quality. School Water Safety: Helena Public Schools reported preliminary “forever chemicals” (PFAS) detected at a faucet at Rossiter Elementary, following similar results at another school. Suicide Prevention: Yellowstone County’s annual suicide prevention conference is set for Sept. 10 in Billings, featuring Johns Hopkins and NAMI Montana leaders.

Medicaid & Homelessness in Montana: New Medicaid work requirements could jeopardize coverage for unhoused Montanans who can’t document work, volunteering, or school—raising fears that people managing seizures, addiction, and homelessness could lose care just as they’re trying to stabilize. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeños has expanded to 27 states, including Montana, with hundreds sickened and more recalls widening from restaurant jalapeños to salsa, guacamole, and other grocery items. Cancer Care Access: Intermountain Health says 10 hospitals in Colorado, Montana, and Utah are joining an expanded access program for a new pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib, aimed at patients with advanced disease. Trauma Care: Billings Clinic was reverified as a Level I Trauma Center through 2029 after a review of staffing, resources, and trauma system performance. Wildfire Health: Montana residents continue to deal with wildfire smoke and lingering fire risk, with health officials urging people to limit smoke exposure. Community Mental Health Fundraiser: Whitehall’s Angel Wings Montana Foundation is hosting an 80s-themed event Sept. 26 to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Smoke & Health: Montana health officials are urging people to limit smoke exposure as wildfire haze lingers, with guidance to avoid long or intense outdoor activity when air is rated “Unhealthy” or worse and to use N95/KN95 masks for real particle protection. Medicaid Watch: Uncertain effects are emerging after Montana began Medicaid work requirements in July, but the state has not yet publicly shared key compliance numbers. PFAS in Drinking Water: Initial PFAS (“forever chemicals”) tests at Helena’s Jim Darcy Elementary detected the substances in detection-only sampling, with district and DEQ working on next steps. Food Safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican jalapeños has reached Montana, prompting recalls and restaurant ingredient changes as health officials investigate. Addiction Recovery: A new nonprofit, Beautiful Minds Recovery Montana, is expanding in Butte and plans a Recovery in the Park event focused on multiple recovery pathways. Local Care Access: A new full-service pharmacy opened in Belgrade as part of the One Health network, aiming to make prescriptions and OTC care easier to access. Heat & Sports: Doctors warn fall athletes about exertional heat illness and recommend hydration, cooling breaks, and practice timing changes.