BIG SKY — As part of the community’s ongoing Livable Big Sky efforts, Gallatin and Madison County Big Sky voters will consider measures on the May 2026 special purpose district ballot aimed at creating a local hospital/wellness district in Big Sky. The measures are aimed at strengthening and sustaining access to essential healthcare and wellness services in Big Sky and reflect years of community conversation about how to ensure physical, mental, and social health services can grow to meet the needs of Big Sky’s year- round and seasonal residents and visitors.

“This is about keeping Big Sky livable for everyone; families, workers, seniors, and visitors,” said Kiernan Volden, Director of Programs at Big Sky Wellness in Action. "Big Sky's population grew 54% from 2010-2020 and is projected to grow at least another 20% over the next decade. The ballot measures in May are a critical and rare opportunity for voters to establish a mechanism that not only keeps local dollars in the community but creates sustainable access to funding allowing all of us to meet our community's growing health and wellness needs.”

Gallatin County Big Sky voters will consider the creation of a Big Sky Hospital/Wellness District and vote to elect its board of trustees, while Madison County Big Sky Voters will vote on withdrawing from its current hospital district while establishing a new local hospital district. Together, these efforts would allow Big Sky to work together across county lines, and over a multi-year step-down period keep Big Sky dollars in Big Sky.

“A livable Big Sky depends on growing access to essential healthcare at home within our own community,” said Kelly Halmes, Administrator of Bozeman Health’s Big Sky Medical Center and a Gallatin County Big Sky resident. “Investing in a local hospital/wellness district ensures care that reflects our community’s priorities, serves people at every stage of life, and is guided by the people who live and work here.”

If approved, the districts would be overseen by elected boards of Big Sky residents. Hospital districts are a common tool used to provide locally governed support for essential health services, particularly in rural and geographically isolated communities.

Big Sky is unique as one community spanning two counties. Madison County Big Sky homeowners already contribute significant funding to an existing hospital district, but those dollars go exclusively to the Madison Valley Medical Center in Ennis nearly 2 hours away. After years of community-led efforts, a coalition of Madison County Big Sky residents secured passage of SB260 in April 2025, which allows Madison County Big Sky voters to withdraw from the existing district in Ennis while establishing a new hospital district in Big Sky. After a gradual 8- year step down period, 100 percent of the hospital district funding from Madison County residents’ tax dollars would remain within Big Sky to support health and wellness where they live.