State representatives speak at Missoula rally protesting cuts to Montana hospitals

A small group of residents and two state representatives gathered in front of St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula on Thursday, holding signs protesting cuts to health care as passing cars honked in support.

The rally, organized by Big Sky 55+ and Social Security Works, was planned to more specifically protest dangers posed to rural hospitals in the wake of Medicaid cuts packaged into the federal budget passed last summer.

Rep. Melody Cunningham, a Missoula Democrat, took the mic and warned of the negative effects of health care cuts.

"Our hospitals are in grave danger," Cunningham said. "Why is that? Because of significant cuts."

Cunningham pointed the finger at last year's so-called "Big, Beautiful Bill," which could cost Montana's health care system over $5 billion in funding over the next 10 years, according to a Montana Healthcare Foundation report.

Community organizer Chet Phillips talked about his experience as a single dad of three on both SNAP and Medicaid. He expressed worry that politicians who chose to cut Medicaid would cut people in rural areas off from care.

"That's not a choice that they should get to make for us," Phillips said.

Rep. SJ Howell, also a Missoula Democrat, represents the district that includes St. Patrick Hospital.

"We really are standing at a tipping point where we could really see access to health care in Montana fall off a cliff," they said. "But it doesn't have to be that way."

Howell urged attendees to contact their representatives and the governor to ask them to deal with the shortfall by cutting red tape and access barriers rather than coverage.

Trent Bolger, executive director of Big Sky 55+, raised concerns about recent news that the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services may consider axing the 3% Medicaid provider rate increase that the Legislature passed last year in order to close pressing budget gaps.

The health department's looming deficit is driven in part by the federal legislation that is gutting state budgets as well as lower-than-needed funding for the largest executive agency passed by the 2025 Legislature.

"These providers in rural Montana are not getting rich off of you," Bolger said.

He urged attendees to call the Governor Greg Gianforte to ensure that providers receive their increased reimbursement for services they provide to patients on Medicaid.

"I don't need to have a heart attack and then have a heart attack when I get the bill," Bolger said.

Tiana Albery, one of the event organizers with Social Security Works, told the Missoulian she hoped the rally would raise awareness of the dangers faced by the Montana health care system.

"We should be calling our elected officials," Albery said.