Funds made available by the Affordable Care Act will be pouring into two Montana cities after an announcement today, July 31, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"$54 million dollars in funding were announced for behavioral health services for community health centers across the nation, including Montana," said Health Resources and Services Administration Communications Director Martin Kramer. "Two health centers in Montana: one in Missoula and one in Havre, will both be receiving $250,000 in order to expand behavioral mental health and substance abuse counseling services."

Missoula County officials will have to decide where to spend the money.

"It will go to the county and then they will decide which of their health center sites will receive the actual funding, this funding is specifically for behavioral mental health and substance abuse services, so they will be able to hire more staff, integrate those services with their primary care services... those kinds of things."

There are 17 health centers and 81 service delivery sites in Montana. Centers in Havre and Missoula obtained the funding through a competitive grant process.

 

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