Public Health

Montana Medicaid Community Engagement Resource Website Launch

DPHHS launched a new website at medicaidchanges.mt.gov to help Montana Medicaid Expansion members understand upcoming community engagement requirements effective July 1, 2026. Under H.R. 1 (enacted July 4, 2025), non-exempt adults aged 19-64 must complete 80 hours of qualifying activities per month to maintain coverage. DPHHS is conducting outreach via mail to affected members.

Strengthening Families Month Child Abuse Prevention Awareness

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced the kickoff of Strengthening Families Month in April 2026, a statewide child abuse prevention awareness initiative. The Montana Children's Trust Fund will distribute over 12,000 blue pinwheels statewide, with over 71 organizations planning events including pinwheel plantings, family carnivals, and educational workshops. A kickoff event is scheduled for April 3 at Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena.

Governor Gianforte SNAP Junk Food Restriction Waiver Submission

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte submitted a waiver request to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to restrict SNAP purchases to nutritious foods, limiting purchases of soft drinks, candy, and junk food. The proposed demonstration project targets approximately 20 percent of SNAP spending currently used on unhealthy items and aligns Montana with 22 other states. The waiver introduces restrictions on beverages exceeding 10 grams of sugar per 8 ounces and establishes a standardized definition for candy and prepared desserts.

Rural Health Center of Excellence RFP

Montana DPHHS announced it is accepting proposals for two components of the Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE): one to create and operate the CoE, and another to assist rural facilities in implementing CoE recommendations. The CoE is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program funded by a $233 million first-year CMS award, with up to $1.2 billion available over five years.

Montana Extends Pediatric RSV Immunization Through April

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) issued a notice on March 18, 2026, recommending that healthcare providers continue offering RSV immunizations to eligible infants and young children through April 30, 2026. This extension addresses RSV activity that began circulating later than usual and continues to rise across Montana and the nation. The notice aligns with CDC recommendations for the groups most at risk, including infants under 8 months not yet immunized this season and high-risk children ages 8-19 months.

North Regional Call Health Coordination Meeting

The Indiana Department of Health announced the North Regional Call health coordination meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am EDT. The virtual meeting will host IDOH subject matter experts, Local Health Department (LHD) programs, success stories, and updates from the northern regional team.

South Regional Call Health Meeting

The Indiana Department of Health announced a South Regional Call health meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 11:00am to 12:00pm EDT. The virtual meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams and appears to be an internal coordination call for regional health department staff and program administrators.

Central Regional Call

Indiana Department of Health announces a virtual Central Regional Call meeting scheduled for April 24, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am EDT. The meeting will be conducted via Microsoft Teams with dial-in options available for participants. This is an internal coordination meeting for local health department program staff.

Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee Meeting Notice

The Indiana Department of Health published a public meeting notice on March 31, 2026 for the Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee meeting scheduled for April 10, 2026. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to noon EST at the Robert O. Yoho Board Room in Indianapolis, with a public session followed by a closed session for case review to protect privacy.

Rural Health Transformation Program Updates Webinar

The Indiana Department of Health announced a statewide webinar on April 2, 2026 to provide updates on the Rural Health Transformation Program. Indiana was awarded nearly $207 million for Year 1 of this five-year federal initiative aimed at improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes for Hoosiers in rural areas of the state.