The Montana House of Representatives convenes its floor session on Jan. 29 in Helena,
Montana. Lawmakers across the U.S. this year face the dilemma of having to tighten budgets
for the covid-crippled economy while planning for an expected spike in demand for health services because of the pandemic. (Matt Volz/KHN)
February 8, 2021
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February 9, 2021 7 a.m.
As demand for mental health care spikes, budget axe set to strike
HELENA, Mont. — When the pandemic hit, health officials in Montana’s Beaverhead County had barely begun to fill a hole left by the 2017 closure of the local public assistance office, mental health clinic, chemical dependency center and job placement office after the state’s last budget shortfall.