In 1901, Montana’s Seventh Legislative Assembly created the Montana State Board of Health. The Board was responsible for sanitation as well as investigations regarding diseases, epidemics, mortality, and other health-related concerns. In 1967, with the creation of the State Department of Health, the State Board of Health was given the additional duty of overseeing the new Department. The State Board of Health continued in an advisory capacity, but the day-to-day administration of the state laws regarding public health and related matters were relegated to the new Department. The State Board of Health became the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (DHES) in 1971 with the passage of Governor Anderson’s Executive Reorganization Order 9-71.
In 1937, the Montana Legislature established the Department of Public Welfare, which consolidated state welfare activities. The Department was responsible for the administration of all forms of public assistance, including general relief programs and supervision of institutions caring for the dependent, delinquent, or mentally or physically handicapped. In 1971, with the state reorganization, the Department of Public Welfare was abolished, and its functions were assumed by the newly created Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The SRS assumed the functions of various state agencies, including functions pertaining to vocational rehabilitation and education; the Commission on Aging; and the Council on Human Resources. The SRS administered all forms of public assistance, child protection, and child welfare; gave consultant service to private institutions providing care for the needy, indigent, handicapped, or dependent; developed provisions for services to the blind; supervised county boards of public welfare; and administered all funds allotted for public welfare activities.
In 1995, following another State government reorganization, SRS combined with portions of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (DHES) to form the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The Environmental Sciences Division was split from DHES to become the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Additionally, in 1992, the Department of Institutions was renamed the Department of Corrections and Human Services. In 1995, the Department was reorganized, with some duties and Divisions remaining with Corrections, while others were transferred to the newly created Department of Public Health and Human Services, including oversight of the Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs.
The Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences was given the responsibility, under the 1967 Session Laws, to license hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and related institutions. This function also included the approval of new facilities, expansion of facilities, changes in classification, and inspection for adherence to standards. The Health Services and Medical Facilities Division and its Licensing and Certification Bureau also act as the agents for the United States Health Care Financing Administration in approving health care facilities for Medicare patients. Among the reasons a health care facility's license or Medicare approval can be revoked are: failure to meet minimum standards of construction and fire safety, failure to provide sufficient medical staff with the proper qualifications, conviction of a felony by the hospital manager, mistreatment or neglect of patients, and financial inadequacy. Licensing and Certification Bureau staff inspect each hospital, nursing home, and home care agency on a regular basis. Any inadequacies in significant areas of performance have to be corrected before the license can be renewed.
As of 2025, this Bureau, now named the Certification Bureau, operates within the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Records consist of survey case files (primarily 1971-1986) on hospitals receiving Medicare payments, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies. The files include licensing survey reports (1971-1979), pink copies listing deficiencies found on regular surveys (primarily 1982-1986), and records of the facility's correction of those deficiencies. In addition there is some correspondence between the facilities and the staff of the Licensing and Certification Bureau and of the Health Services and Medical Facilities Division. A few folders include material, such as incorporation papers, bylaws, etc. dating back to 1947.
The collection is arranged by series.
Collection open for research.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 495, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the Montana Historical Society catalog, and to follow best archival practices.
Collections from Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services' various Divisions
and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information is available upon request.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection