Aaron Bolton

New research indicates the uptick in requests for sterilization following the Dobbs decision on abortion was not a temporary trend. Nationally, numbers of tubal ligations and vasectomies are up.

A long waiting list at Montana's only state-run psychiatric hospital has left inmates untreated and stuck in county jails. To fix it, health officials want changes to involuntary commitment laws.

New ideas like "safe storage maps" show gun owners where to put their firearms in safekeeping if a mental health crisis happens. The idea has support, but obstacles are in the way in some states.

Gun owners in psychiatric crisis can lower their risk of suicide by temporarily storing their guns at a gun store or with family or friends. But "safe storage" is easier in theory than practice.

States can once again begin removing people from their Medicaid rolls. It's estimated that about 15 million people could lose their coverage in the coming months, including many who remain eligible.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, medical providers are encountering more legal and political battles — and escalating threats from the anti-abortion movement.

Injuries, abuse, and neglect have continued at the state-run psychiatric facility that lost its federal certification due to preventable patient deaths. But an information blackout remains.

In Montana and across the nation, homeless shelters report the worrisome trend that seniors are a growing proportion of their residents.

Even with the upgraded 988 mental health hotline, there are still some callers who need to be connected with in-person services. In rural areas especially, those resources remain few and far between.

Doctors say more of their patients are seeking permanent sterilization procedures, but some patients are reporting that doctors are unwilling to operate on people of childbearing age.