I support full repeal of Obamacare. This law imposes a heavy tax and regulatory burden on American families and small businesses. It has already caused millions of Americans to lose the health care plans they liked and doctors that they trusted. It has also led to higher health costs and higher premiums, and drastically increased federal spending by subsidizing health coverage for millions of Americans. I believe Obamacare’s government-centered approach represents the wrong solution for the health care challenges in our country.
While Obamacare is not the solution, I certainly recognize that our health care system has major problems. First and foremost, I believe doctors and patients, not insurance companies or the government, should be in charge of health care decisions. Next, I believe we must always protect those with preexisting conditions. I believe Congress should provide people with greater freedom in shopping for health insurance, make the costs of medical care more transparent, and reward innovation in the delivery of health services. I will also back commonsense medical liability reform, because doctors currently must practice high-cost “defensive medicine” to protect themselves against unwarranted lawsuits.
Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Protect Montanans’ Access to Medicare Advantage Program
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a group of bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden administration urging continued support for the Medicare Advantage program, which provides quality health care to millions of American seniors and people with disabilities and over 60,000 Montanans. “The number of Americans who choose Medicare Advantage continues to grow each year, with enrollment doubling over the last decade, resulting in Medicare Advantage serving nearly 50 percent of individuals eligible for Medicare,” the Senators wrote. “…In 2023, average Medicare Advantage premiums will fall to a 16-year low of $18 per month and beneficiaries will have
Daines Demands Biden Admin Address Rural Montana Nursing Home Staffing Shortages, Improve Care for Montana Seniors
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of bipartisan senators to express concerns with the Biden administration’s plans to issue one-size-fits-all staffing mandates for Montana nursing homes. Daines and the group of senators are urging the Administration to address the severe workforce shortages facing rural Montana and ensure Montana seniors have access to quality, long-term care. “We fear a one-size-fits-all staffing mandate would undermine access to care for patients, particularly in rural communities. Instead, we urge you to work with Congress and rural stakeholders on tailored solutions that address the severe workforce challenges in our states’ underserved
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect, Expand Montana Veterans’ Access to Community Care
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to expand and protect Montana veterans’ access to care in their local communities. “Montana veterans have served and sacrificed for our state and nation – the VA needs to ensure that serving our veterans with the highest quality of care is at the core of everything they do. I am glad to help protect Montana veterans’ access to health care in their communities,” Daines said. The “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to
Daines, Colleagues Call Out VA for Politicizing Veterans’ Healthcare
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and a group of Republican senators issued the following statement after receiving a late, inadequate response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that failed to address the senators’ concerns with veterans’ access to community care. “Not only does this weak response show a lack of respect for Congress’ role to advocate on behalf of our constituents, including veterans, it shows that the VA under Biden has no intent to move past political differences to better serve America’s heroes or work in good faith with those of us across the aisle. Our veterans deserve better,” the senators said. In July, Daines sent a letter
Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Protect Montana Veterans’ Access to Air Ambulance Services
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Biden administration to reevaluate a recent rule that could jeopardize rural Montana veterans’ access to air ambulances. “With the number of instances of emergency care being provided by the VA exponentially increasing, it is critical the VA explores sustainable options for the future and ensures veterans living in rural areas have access to care. Unfortunately, I am concerned that the VA has not done due diligence in developing this rule, nor does it recognize the significant impact it will have on a full spectrum of emergency services, ultimately leading to air ambulances
Daines Statement on VA Health Care Announcement to Better Serve Montana Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement that they would delay further implementation of the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system to address recurring problems with the rollout. This announcement follows Daines’ push to ensure the VA is providing Montana veterans with the quality care they deserve. “I’m pleased to see the VA take steps to ensure Montana veterans are receiving the quality service they deserve by reassessing the VA Electronic Health Care Management System (EHRM),” Daines said. “It is unacceptable that until now Biden’s VA has failed to seriously address critical issues
Daines Demands Biden Admin’s Illegal VA Abortion Rule Be Reversed
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today is demanding the Biden administration reverse a recent rule purporting to allow VA clinics to provide abortions after the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) determined such an action would be illegal. “I insist that you immediately rescind the illegal IFR and revert the VA’s policies to the long-standing prior regulation excluding abortion from the VA’s medical benefits package as well as the CHAMPVA program, in conformity with the law and Congressional intent,” Daines wrote. Daines also issued the following statement. “Instead of focusing on improving care for our nation’s veterans, the Biden administration wants
Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Support Childhood Cancer Research
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help fund childhood cancer research and assist patients and families battling cancer. “No child should have to grow up battling cancer. I am glad to join my colleagues in fighting for a cancer free future for Montana’s children,” Daines said. Read the full text of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Reauthorization Act HERE. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen
DAINES INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN PACKAGE TO EXPAND MONTANA’S MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, CARE FOR MONTANANS
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee’s Workforce Working Group, today introduced a slate of bipartisan bills that will support Montana’s mental health workforce and boost substance use disorder services, ensuring that Montanans across the state have access to care. “Access to mental health services is critical for our rural communities and veterans—especially in states like Montana where suicide is sadly taking too many lives. We must ensure our health care workforce have the tools and resources they need to serve Montanans across our state. I’m glad to work on these bipartisan bills to empower and