Montana is nicknamed “Big Sky Country” because of its vast plains that stretch across the eastern part of the state. However the name Montana is derived from the Latin word "montaanus" meaning mountainous as in the rugged Rocky Mountains of western Montana. It is home to buffalo in the National Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Glacier National Park is located in western Montana and parts of Yellowstone National Park are located in the southwest. Montana covers 145,552 square miles, with a 2008 estimated population of 967,440 people – 626,089 living in rural Montana (USDA-ERS). Helena, the capital, is located in the western region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 90.6% of the state’s population is white, 6.3% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 2.8% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2007).
There are 61 hospitals in Montana, 54 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, 2007). The state has 47 hospitals currently identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (April, 2009). There are 45 Rural Health Clinics in Montana (CMS, 2009), and 13 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 79 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2007). Most Montanans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 16.4% of its residents lack any health insurance (Kaiser, 2006-2007.)
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for all Montanans in 2007 was $33,225, although rural per-capita income lagged at $31,861. 2007 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 14.8% exists in rural Montana, compared to a 12.8% level in urban areas of the state. 2000 data reports 13.7% of the rural population has not completed high school, while only 11.2% of the urban population lacks a high school diploma. The unemployment rate in rural Montana is at 4.8%, while in urban Montana it is at 3.9% (USDA-ERS, 2008).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts
USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts
Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
Caring Foundation of Montana, Inc.
State/regional organization
A nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of providing medical services to uninsured children in Montana.
Center for Children with Special Needs (CSHCN)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Focuses on improving care for children with special needs by providing information to families and health care professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).
Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network (EMTN)
State/regional organization
A consortium of not-for-profit medical and mental health facilities linking health care providers and their patients throughout Montana and Wyoming.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Montana
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Human Resource Development Council (HRDC)
State/regional organization
Serves communities and people's needs by developing resources that provide opportunities and essential services such as health and nutrition, emergency services, affordable housing, Head Start, youth development, volunteer opportunities, transportation, energy assistance and conservation and community development.
Midwest Assistance Program (MAP)
State/regional organization
Aims to help rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming to improve their environment, quality of life and be self-sustaining.
Monida Healthcare Network
State/regional organization
A regional association of more than 450 physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers serving residents of Montana and Idaho.
Montana Addictive and Mental Disorders Division
State government
Works to implement and improve an appropriate statewide system of prevention, treatment, care, and rehabilitation for Montanans with mental disorders or addictions to drugs or alcohol.
Montana Cancer Control Coalition (MTCCC)
State/regional organization
A partnership of public and private sector stakeholders in Montana whose common mission is to reduce the overall burden of cancer.
Montana Coalition of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies
State/regional organization
A statewide coalition of concerned citizens, community organizations, health educators, health professionals and public policy makers working to improve the health of mothers and children in Montana.
Montana Department of Commerce (DOC)
State government
Committed to the state's vision for economic prosperity and to serving the many citizens, communities, businesses, and organizations. Acts as an information broker for businesses and communities in the economic and community development areas.
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
State government
Promotes the well-being of Montana's workers, employers, and citizens, and upholds their rights and responsibilities.
Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services: Senior & Long Term Care
State government
Advocates and promotes dignity and independence for older Montanans and Montanans with disabilities by: providing information, education, and assistance; planning, developing and providing for quality long-term care services; and operating within a cost - effective service delivery system.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
State government
The goals of the department ensure that all Montana children are healthy, safe and in permanent, loving homes, all Montanans have the tools and support to be as self-sufficient as possible, all Montanans are injury free, healthy and have access to quality health care, and all Montanans can contribute to the above through community service.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED)
State government
Works to achieve financial and medical support of children by establishing, enforcing, and increasing public awareness of parental obligations.
Montana Disability and Health Program
State/regional organization
Mission is to assess, monitor, improve and maintain the health of Montanans with disabilities through a strategic program that reduces secondary conditions by enhancing individuals' capacity to manage their own health and by developing supportive community environments.
Montana Division of Special Education
State government
Responsible for assuring that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Division staff provides training, technical assistance and monitor special education services provided by public schools and state-operated programs. The Division is also responsible for managing the flow of state and federal dollars for special education programs.
Montana Hope Project
Nonprofit/Foundation
The goal of the Hope Project is to make dreams come true for critically ill children in Montana.
Montana Hospital Association (MHA)
State/regional organization
The principal advocate for the interests of members in their efforts to improve the health status of the communities they serve. Members of the association provide the full spectrum of health care services, including hospital inpatient and outpatient, long-term care, home health, hospice, physician, assisted living, senior housing and insurance services.
Montana Mental Health Association
State/regional organization
A nonprofit organization whose primary focus is educating and advocating for the mental health of all Montanans. They provide resource referrals, professional education, and informational materials for mental health providers, consumers, family members and the general public.
Montana Office of Rural Health
State/regional organization
Works to improve the quality of life for all rural Montanans through advocacy, networking, partnerships, education, outreach, research, and service.
Montana Public Health Association (MPHA)
State government
The purpose of the Montana Public Health Association is to promote, improve and strengthen public health programs; to encourage active participation by health professionals and interested citizens; and to provide in service opportunities for exchange of scientific information related to public health programs in Montana.
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council
State/regional organization
An organization that supports health and human service concerns related to American Indians in Montana and Wyoming.
Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation
State/regional organization
A Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) working to improve the health of people Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa.
Proyecto/Project IDEAS
State/regional organization
Strives to improve HIV prevention services for Latino/Hispanic populations living in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. Focuses on adapting and tailoring CDC-approved interventions that are culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate. This is a capacity building assistance program for community-based organizations and state and local health departments.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Helps rural communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming to improve community infrastructure.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Montana
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
University of Montana Rural Institute
State/regional organization
Advocates and supports full participation in community life by rural persons with disabilities for the state of Montana.
USDA Rural Development Montana State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (WWAMI RHRC)
Academic/Research
One of six Rural Health Research Centers funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Focuses on training and supply of rural health care providers, availability and quality of care for rural women and children, and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations. Based in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Montana
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Montana QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Montana Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Montana Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile
Web site
Highlights compile 2000 data on levels of employment, projected growth and key environmental factors that affect demand for health care. Details for medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health and aides.
Montana KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Montana State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Montana
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
State Profiles- Montana: Health Information Technology (HIT)
Web site
Profiles the state’s health information technology (HIT) issues. Contains sections on demographics, HIT legislation, telemedicine, Health Information Exchanges (HIE) & Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO), grant funded HIT projects, and HIT survey information.
WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies Regional Information Center
Web site
Provides access to health workforce information for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho. Content is available by state and by profession.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Funding
Gannett Foundation Community Action Grants
Provides grants in communities where the Gannett Company has a presence.
Midwest Assistance Program Loan Fund
Provides low-cost, short and intermediate term loans for community water and wastewater projects through its Community Revolving Loan Fund.
Montana Hope Project
Awards given to Montana's critically and chronically ill children and their families for special dream come true event.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Documents, Reports and Other Publications
Demographic and Economic Profile: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Presents demographics, economics, and research on Montana. Includes statistics, data, maps, charts, and graphs.
Date: 10 / 2008
Distance and Modes of Transportation to Personal Physician/Health Care Provider
Sponsoring organization: Montana Disability and Health Program
Summarizes findings from a survey that addresses the distance that patients in Montana must travel to recieve care from a health care provider. Data generated from the 2005 Montana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Results.
Date: 11 / 2008
Education: A Regional Overview
Author(s): By Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Explores education characteristics in the western states and examines how it impacts rural development.
Date: 2008
Employment, Income and Poverty: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines and compares employment and income in western states with both rural and urban data.
Date: 2008
Health and Longevity: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines health and longevity for states in the western region.
Date: 2008
How Farmers and Ranchers Get Health Insurance and What They Spend for Health Care
Author(s): Carol Pryor, Jeffrey Prottas, Bill Lottero, Mark Rukavina, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines health insurance costs and health care spending of farmers and ranchers. This issue brief is based on a 2007 survey of farm and ranch operators in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 12 / 2007
HRSA State Health Workforce Profiles: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
Presents a variety of data related to the health workforce in the state. Provides a brief overview of the health status of residents and health services in the state which impact the supply and demand for health workers. Includes data on the number of health care workers employed by place of work and the number of workers employed in specific health professions and occupations.
Date: 2003
Land Use and Resources: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines land use and resources in the western states.
Date: 2008
Small Business Profile: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 2006
State of Montana: Population Brief
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Baseline information for the advancement of rural development that examines population changes and characteristics within Montana.
Date: 2008
State Profiles - Montana: Reforming the Health Care System
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Detailed profile of the state's health care system. Covers demographics, expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, health care providers, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance coverage, and key trends.
Date: 12 / 2005
The Changing West: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Provides baseline data for identifying population changes in the western states for use in advancing rural development.
Date: 2008
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Journals
Montana - Partners for Health Newsletter
Quarterly newsletter about Montana's health care, news from congressional delegation, the state, grant and foundation announcements, meetings and conferences, recent publications/reports, and special issues/concerns.
Prevention Connection Newsletter
A quarterly publication that focuses on a different theme with each issue and is a resource for data and reference regarding the health and well-being of Montana citizens.
Success Stories
EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Using the power of group purchasing within a cooperative structure, the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperative developed to serve Minnesota and surrounding states.
Butte Silver-Bow Primary Care Clinic
The main
goals of the project were to change destructive life patterns
and improve the physical and mental health status of residents
by providing intensive mental health services, promote collaboration among key health and
social service agencies in providing comprehensive services, and educate community
members about how, when, and where to get help when they
need it.
Cooperative Health Center Patient Mental Health Project
The three-agency consortium formed for this project will provide access to mental health and substance abuse services, regardless of patients' ability to pay.
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