I strongly believe Social Security and Medicare provide critical support to seniors and people with disabilities. Tens of millions of Americans rely heavily on these programs for income and access to affordable health care. Unfortunately, major changes in demographics and rising health costs have placed these programs on an unsustainable path. We must make smart decisions to secure the guarantee of Social Security and Medicare for both the current generation and our children and grandchildren. I believe we can and must do this without hurting today’s beneficiaries.
Daines Ensures Social Security Recipients Will Automatically Receive Direct Checks
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. This news follows Daines’ request to the Department of the Treasury to ensure Social Security beneficiaries automatically receive direct checks. “Montana seniors, those with disabilities and low income Montanans don’t need any more hurdles to overcome during this Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “This is about getting Montana Social Security recipients the relief they need quickly. I’m glad the Treasury Department acted quickly on
Daines Secures Over $1 Billion in Aid for Montana During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted and advanced a Coronavirus economic relief package that will provide Montana workers, small business, hospitals, and state and local governments more than one billion dollars in emergency relief to handle the Coronavirus outbreak. The aid package puts Montana workers first, expands unemployment insurance, helps Montana small businesses keep and stay open, supports healthcare workers and hospitals on the front lines fighting the virus, prioritizes rural health, accelerates the development and manufacturing of drugs to treat and prevent the virus, stabilizes the economy and more. To download the full video, click
Daines: We Must Work and Stand Together to Provide Relief to Workers, Families, Small Businesses and Healthcare Professionals Now
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate voted against a Coronavirus economic recovery package that would deliver major relief for millions of workers, working families and small businesses in Montana and across the country. “The health and livelihoods of the American people are in danger and I’m disappointed the Senate didn’t move forward to support crucial legislation to respond to the health crisis and rescue workers and small businesses across our country. We need to stand and work together during this difficult period in our nation’s history,” Daines said. For audio of the
Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises $70k
An issue that more than 20,000 Montanans are battling was the focus of a major event in Bozeman Sunday afternoon, The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The disease, which causes brain cells to die and destroys a person’s memory, was at the forefront of many minds Sunday. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is the largest awareness and funds for research on the disease, relies on community members, many of whom have been personally impacted by the disease, to raise money for Alzheimer’s research. This year, more than $70,000 was raised in Bozeman, with millions more raised nationwide. Senator Steve Daines
Daines Continues 56 County Tour
MONTANA —This week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines continued his 56-county tour of the Treasure State for the 116th Congress, with eight stops across Montana. Every Congress, Daines visits all 56 counties. This week, Daines visited Red Lodge, Clancy, Toston, Deer Lodge, Baker, Miles City, Plentywood and Scobey. Red Lodge: On Monday, Daines met with the folks of Red Lodge to discuss everything from lowering the national debt to ensuring folks have access to care in our rural communities. Clancy: On Wednesday, Daines visited Marks-Miller Post&Pole in Clancy to discuss the forest management practices and the great work they are doing to
Daines: We Must Protect Montana Seniors, Stop Nursing Home Abuse
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee Hearing emphasized the need to combat abuse and neglect in Montana’s nursing homes, including in a facility in Lewistown. Click HERE to download “When it comes to family members making the decision to find a nursing home for a loved one,” Daines said. “The last thing they should be worried about is whether their mom or dad, or grandfather or grandmother, will be safe from abuse in their new home… it’s time to push past the status quo.” Daines, while recognizing there are high quality nursing homes
Daines, King Launch Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Angus King (Maine) today renewed efforts to protect Medicare benefits by re-introducing the bipartisan Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act. The bill would reverse an unintended policy of the Affordable Care Act that is currently denying millions of seniors and people with disabilities the full measure of their Medicare Advantage benefits. “There are currently 16,000 Montanans being shortchanged the full scope of their Medicare benefits because of Obamacare,” Daines said. “My bipartisan legislation will ensure that seniors and people with disabilities receive the Medicare Advantage benefits they deserve.” “Medicare Advantage is a tried and true program that gives Maine seniors and people with disabilities high-quality, patient-centered
Daines Fights for Increased Transparency, Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Montanans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing grilled Pharmacy Benefit Manager executives (PBMs) on the need to increase transparency and lower prescription drug costs for Montanans. PBMs, which serve as the middle men between insurance companies and patients, are responsible for negotiating drug costs for patients. Daines slammed their current practices as failing Montanans. Click HERE to download Currently, there is a bill moving through the Montana legislature shedding light on PBMs pricing practices. Several of the PBM executives on the panel today oppose the bill. Daines pressed the executives, “Why are you fighting
Daines Pushes to Stop Nursing Home Abuse, Protect Seniors in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure that horrific cases of nursing home abuse in Montana, such as a recent case in Lewistown, will never happen again. Download video HERE “Last year, a state-run nursing home in Montana was cited for failing to protect patients from verbal, physical, and sexually abusive behaviors of fellow patients… according to reports, on 13 occasions, officials were not notified of incidents that included abuse in the facility’s wing which houses dementia patients,” Daines said. At the hearing, Daines