Governor visits Dahl Memorial

Continuing his 56 County Tour, Governor Greg Gianforte last week toured Carter County Healthcare Facility in Ekalaka where he met with Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association administration, board members, and employees -highlighting the $17 million investment in rural health care.

"Increasing access to health care and world-class facilities like Dahl Memorial is critical for our rural communities," Gov. Gianforte said. "We'll continue to come alongside our providers who are offering lifesaving care and services to Montanans at every stage of life."

Meeting with CEO, Darrell Messersmith and staff the governor saw the new facility and visited with several of the long-term care residents.

Opened in 2021, the hospital represents a $17 million investment to improve the delivery of health care in rural eastern Montana. The facility employs 84 people and has three emergency care rooms, 24 patient rooms, and 20 long-term care residents.

In June 2023, the governor invested $300 million to improve the delivery of behavioral health care in Montana when he signed House Bill 872 into law. Proposed by the governor in his Budget for Montana Families, the investment will support needed repairs at the Montana State Hospital and expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

Near-term investments of the funds included $2.5 million to support rural counties and tribal communities as they design and implement targeted, locally-developed solutions to behavioral health needs within their communities.