MONTANA: MANAGED MENTAL HEALTH CARE CASE CLOSES

      "Court arguments in a lawsuit to scrap Montana's $400
 million mental health contract concluded Monday with state
 officials arguing they followed the rules and picked the best
 company," BILLINGS GAZETTE reports.  California-based Vista
 Behavioral "wants Helena District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock to toss
 out the state's five-year pact with Montana Community Partners,"
 claiming the company "was given preferential treatment in the
 bidding process and allowed to bend the rules."  However, state
 officials "maintain the contract was awarded fairly" (see AHL
 3/24) and believe Sherlock "will rule in their favor."  GAZETTE
 reports, however, that "there still exists the possibility that
 Sherlock will agree with Vista and order a new contracting
 process be conducted."  Attorneys for both sides must submit
 their final written arguments to Sherlock by May 21 before he
 will issue a decision (McLaughlin, 5/6).