Behavioral Health System for Future Generations
Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 872 into law on May 22, 2023, providing a generational investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health (BH) and developmental disabilities (DD) service systems. A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million investment will expand intensive and community-based BH and DD services across Montana.
Beginning in July 2023, the Commission spent 14 months hosting 12 public meetings in Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, Havre, Helena, and Great Falls, before presenting its final report to the governor in September 2024. Each meeting included extensive testimony from community stakeholders, people with lived experience, and subject matter experts, which further informed the report’s recommendations and contributed to the Commission’s consensus-driven approach.
As required by HB 872, the report comprises detailed recommendations on how to make historic investments in Montana’s BH and DD service systems. It contains 22 recommendations and 11 Near-Term Initiatives (NTIs). The governor’s Path to Security and Prosperity Budget fully funds all Phase 1 foundational recommendations contained in the Commission’s final report.
In the months ahead, the Commission will continue its diligent work to transform Montana’s BH and DD systems to meet the needs of all Montanans. This work includes the full implementation of all NTIs.
The next Commission meeting will be all virtual and is scheduled for Friday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meeting materials will be posted on the Commission page closer to the meeting.
Contact for this Project:
Brett Carter
Brett.carter2@mt.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
The commission members were announced on July 17 and consist of the bill sponsor, three members appointed by the governor, and five legislators from committees outlined in House Bill 872.
The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission members are as follows:
Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork; Charlie Brereton, Director, DPHHS; Patrick Maddison, CEO, Flathead Industries; Janet Lindow, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Rural Behavioral Health Institute; Rep. Michele Binkley, R-Hamilton; Rep. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings; Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish; Sen. John Esp, R- Big Timber; and Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula.
The commission is charged with recommending how funds allocated to DPHHS through the behavioral health and developmental disabilities state special revenue fund are expended.
The commission will submit reports of its recommendations as needed to the Office of Budget and Program Planning and to the legislative fiscal analyst. The reports must include one or more of the following:
- initiatives that address behavioral health;
- initiatives that assist those with developmental disabilities;
- outcome measures, as defined in 2-15-2221;
- output measures, as defined in 2-15-2221;
- performance measures, as defined in 2-15-2221; and
- the amount of funding required for the initiatives.
The commission will transmit its recommendations to the governor for his consideration.
House Bill 872 transfers $300 million dollars from the state general fund to a state special revenue fund titled the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Fund. The money will remain in that fund until expended on authorized activities during an approved timeframe.
Pursuant to House Bill 872, the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund can be used for:
- studying and planning of the development of a comprehensive behavioral health system;
- statewide community-based investments to stabilize behavioral health and developmental disabilities service providers and delivery, increase and strengthen the behavioral health and developmental disabilities workforce, increase service capacity to meet identified behavioral health and developmental disabilities services demands, and increase opportunities for Montanans to receive integrated physical and behavioral health care;
- acquisition of new or remodeling of existing infrastructure or property to support the establishment of behavioral health settings and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities;
- planning, operation, or other contract expenses associated with intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities;
- planning, operation, or other contract expenses associated with behavioral health settings;
- Medicaid and CHIP matching funds for payments made to behavioral health settings; and
- Medicaid and CHIP matching funds for payments made to intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Several BHSFG proposals have now been approved, and DPHHS will be working to implement the initiatives with HB 872-authorized funding in the near future.
How does the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund and commission intersect with the HEART Fund?
Introduced by Governor Gianforte in his first week in office, the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Fund supports a full continuum of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for communities.
While separate from the HEART Fund, the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Initiative also represents the Gianforte administration’s strong commitment to addressing the challenges plaguing Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service delivery systems.
Workstreams associated with the HEART Fund, including negotiating and finalizing the HEART 1115 Waiver, will continue separately from the BHSFG Initiative. Nothing, however, precludes the BHSFG Commission from discussing or considering HEART-related activities. Furthermore, HEART Fund resources are entirely separate from BHSFG funds authorized by the 2023 Legislature.