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Legislators weigh funding, wages and repurposing plans to address staffing at Montana State Hospital and other state facilities
Summary
Lawmakers heard DPHHS and facility leaders describe recruitment, pay changes, vacancy reductions and near‑term facility investments aimed at reducing reliance on contract 'traveler' clinical staff at the Montana State Hospital and other state‑run facilities.
Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B) pressed DPHHS officials on staffing pressures and capital and operating requests for the state’s seven state‑run health care facilities, including the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.
DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton told the committee the department has “reduced contract clinical staff or traveler expenditure spending at MSH by approximately 25% per patient,” but said the facilities still “depend quite heavily on the travelers or contracted clinical staff to keep our doors open.” Brereton introduced Dr. Kevin Flanagan, the Montana State Hospital CEO, and described pay changes and hiring activity the department said are beginning to improve staffing stability.
What the agency reported -…
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