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By Kathleen Shannon - Producer, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - A 2024 report shows about one-quarter of Montana families received public assistance at some point following Medicaid expansion. On this National Caregivers Day (Fri., Feb. 21), their advocates say it's important to highlight that most of those recipients are caregivers. Comments by Bryce Ward, founder of ABMJ Consulting, which issued the report for the Headwaters Foundation.
Click on the image above for the audio. According to a 2024 report, 74% of Montana families who received one form of income-based public assistance between 2016 and 2022 were single, aging or disabled adults with kids. (Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
February 21, 2025 - Today is National Caregivers Day, recognizing those who help friends or family members who are living with an illness, injury or disability.
A 2024 report painted a picture of Montanans who rely on public assistance, a picture largely populated by caregivers.
The report, commissioned by the Headwaters Foundation, found about one in four Montana families, or 120,000, received income-based public assistance in a given year after Medicaid expansion. It noted most are working families with children, or family members who are older or disabled.
Bryce Ward, founder of ABMJ Consulting, compiled the report.
"It's not hard to imagine how they got into this situation," Ward pointed out. "They're just low-income workers or the people for whom it's hard to work. They're old or disabled, or they have kids or other caregiving responsibilities."
Medicaid expansion is getting a lot of attention in the current Montana Legislature. House Bill 245, which would continue the program beyond its original June sunset date, was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Claims yesterday after passing the House earlier this month.
A big takeaway from the report is there is no "typical" participant in public assistance and many who need it use it for brief time periods. Ward cautioned conversations in the policy and media spaces can have what he called a "dehumanizing element." He hopes the report will change it.
"These populations include all the different types of people in Montana," Ward stressed. "You probably know lots of people who have, or are on, income-based public assistance."
The median family of three with income around the poverty line receives about $400 a month in benefits, according to the report.
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PNS - Friday, February 21, 2025 - Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.
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PNS - Friday, February 21, 2025 - Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts; TX leads nation in methane mitigation; NM's anti-hunger advocates make case for funding at Roundhouse; Judge denies unions' request to block mass firing of probationary employees, buyout offer; NC farmer's market, hike mark Black History Month.
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By Kathleen Shannon - Producer, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - U.S. presidents have had the ability to protect public lands in Montana and elsewhere as national monuments – and restrict mining and drilling on them – for 120 years. However, federal efforts from some lawmakers and the Department of the Interior are trying to change the power to designate and “review” existing monuments. Comments by Mike Penfold, program leader, Our Montana.
Click on the image above for the audio. Montana's Lewis and Clark Caverns were first protected by the Department of the Interior under President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908. Management was transferred to the state of Montana in 1937. (Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
February 20, 2025 - Over the last 120 years, U.S. presidents have used the Antiquities Act almost 300 times to recognize national monuments, protecting portions of federal lands that are of particular historic or scientific importance. Now federal efforts are underway to limit that power and "review" monuments. The Big Hole National Battlefield and Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument are two of several areas in Montana designated by a president's authority. Unlike other federal public lands, national monuments are typically not open for oil and gas drilling or mining activities.
Mike Penfold, program leader of the historical preservation group Our Montana, calls the Antiquities Act "a wonderful asset."
"We've got a really good ability for Republican and Democratic presidents to respond to local and sometimes regional people who see special qualities in these areas of federal land," he said.
U.S. House Resolution 521, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources last month, seeks to reserve the authority to establish or extend national monuments for Congress. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum began his tenure detailing a plan for "American energy dominance" that includes an order to, quote, "review and, as appropriate, revise all withdrawn public lands, consistent with existing law."
Penfold, Our Montana and other groups have been working to get a national monument designation for part of the Pryor Mountains, an area with fragmented management split among three federal agencies. Part of the range is within the boundaries of the Crow Reservation. A national monument designation could help unify management.
"It's an amazing area that has a lot of cultural resources and different kinds of ecological systems. So we were hoping to get that designated as a national monument," he continued. "That is not in the cards right now."
Penfold added that national monuments help drive Montana's tourism industry, which in 2023 brought in about 13 million people who spent nearly $5.5 billion.
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