Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed House Bill 872, marking a $300 million investment aimed at enhancing behavioral health care in Montana. This significant funding, part of the governor's Budget for Montana Families, is intended to facilitate repairs at the Montana State Hospital and expand both intensive and community-based behavioral health care services across the state.
Governor Gianforte emphasized the need for this investment, stating, “After decades of previous administrations applying Band-Aids and kicking the can down the road, we’re making a generational investment in our behavioral health care and developmental disabilities service delivery systems.” He added that this initiative seeks to provide hope and opportunity for Montanans in need.
House Bill 872 was sponsored by Representative Bob Keenan from Bigfork and supported in the Senate by Senator John Esp from Big Timber. Governor Gianforte expressed gratitude towards them for their legislative efforts: “Thank you to Rep. Bob Keenan and Sen. John Esp for leading this effort in the legislature.”
Charlie Brereton, Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, expressed appreciation for legislative support: “We’re extremely grateful for the ongoing support from the legislature as we embark to solve the systemic challenges faced by our state’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service delivery systems.”
Representative Keenan highlighted his long-term commitment to addressing these issues: “Working on this issue for more than 25 years, I’ve seen Montanans’ concern and compassion grow.” He acknowledged Governor Gianforte's leadership on this matter: “I appreciate the governor leading on this, making it a priority.”
Senator Esp shared his satisfaction with this development: “I’ve been waiting a long time for a real commitment to the Montana families that deal with behavioral health issues on a daily basis.”
The enhancement of affordable high-quality healthcare access remains one of Governor Gianforte's top priorities.
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