Big Sky Times

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a $4 million investment aimed at addressing health care workforce shortages in Montana. The funding will support the University of Montana (UM) and Carroll College in launching new programs for Physician Assistant (PA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) doctorates.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to reform Montana's behavioral health system, with this allocation being part of the $300 million secured last year for improvements in behavioral health and developmental disabilities services.

"For far too long, Montana has kicked the can down the road instead of repairing our broken behavioral health system," said Governor Gianforte. "This investment is an excellent opportunity to increase educational opportunities and expand the number of skilled health professionals working within our rural health care systems."

The Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton expressed enthusiasm for moving forward with this initiative. "This is another key BHSFG Commission initiative to help increase the number of PAs and OTs serving our communities," he stated.

The University of Montana plans to graduate 30 OT students and 25 PA students annually starting in 2028. Clayton Christian, Commissioner of Higher Education, emphasized that these programs will provide Montanans with access to affordable education options in these fields.

Carroll College aims to train patient-centered providers through its PA program, which expects its first cohort in May 2028. Dr. John Cech, President of Carroll College, highlighted the importance of this funding in enhancing their capacity to meet critical healthcare needs.

PAs and OTs are essential in Montana’s continuum of care, particularly in rural areas facing shortages. A report from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry indicates a need for approximately 67 PAs and 33 OTs statewide.

In May 2023, Governor Gianforte signed House Bill 872 into law as part of his Budget for Montana Families, reinforcing his commitment to expanding behavioral health services across the state.