Health Care Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines Highlights Devastating Impact of Substance Abuse, Seeks Treatment Solutions at Roundtable

April 10, 2024

Montanan from Rimrock Foundation in Billings Shares Experience with Participants U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, today highlighted the devastating impact of substance abuse and the opioid epidemic and discussed how to best support treatment and care for patients at a roundtable. Daines also invited Dr. Malcolm Horn from the Rimrock Foundation in Billings, Montana, to participate in the roundtable and share her expertise in treating patients with substance use and opioid addictions. Watch Daines’ opening remarks and introduction of Dr. Horn HERE. “Today’s topic is arguably one of the most relevant and maybe the

Daines, Smith Renew Push to Permanently Expand Telehealth Services During Telehealth Awareness Week

September 21, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in honor of Telehealth Awareness Week today reintroduced their bipartisan “Expanded Telehealth Access Act” that would make pandemic-driven expanded access to telehealth services under Medicare permanent. “In rural states like Montana, folks often have to drive long distances just to receive care. Expanded telehealth services help relieve this burden and give folks increased access to quality, affordable care. Now is not the time to cut back on these critical services, and I’ll keep working to ensure Montanans are able to see the providers they need,” Daines said. “The pandemic showed

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Rural Montanans’ Access to Health Care

June 16, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill to permanently protect Montanans’ access to telehealth services. These services were used extensively during the pandemic and many Americans, especially those in rural areas of Montana, still depend on them to access care. “In rural states like Montana, many folks live great distances from their nearest health care provider—a trip to a hospital or doctor’s office is not only highly inconvenient, but can also be very dangerous in emergencies or severe weather. Telehealth helps Montanans in every corner of our state. Many Montanans and rural health care providers have come to rely on expanded telehealth services to ensure access to the care folks need.

Following Pressure from Daines, VA Announces Reset of the Electronic Health Record System

April 21, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced future deployments of the new Electronic Health Record (EHR) will be halted until concerning systematic failures are resolved. “After serving our state and our nation, Montana veterans must have access to reliable, efficient health services. I’m glad to see the VA finally listen to my concerns and the concerns of Montana veterans with the EHR modernization and address the serious issues with this system. Ensuring proper rollout of the EHR modernization will help resolve ongoing patient safety concerns, ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted and better serve the

Daines, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Americans’ Access to Telehealth Services

March 28, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today reintroduced a bipartisan bill that would make expanded access to telehealth services permanent. These services were used extensively during the pandemic and many Americans, especially those in rural areas, still depend on them to access care. “Telehealth helps ensure Montanans in every corner of our state have access to the care they need. Especially in rural states like Montana, we should be working to expand telehealth, not cut access when folks have come to depend on these resources,” Daines said. “Telehealth is critical for workers and their families to access the essential health care services they need. Nevadans

Daines urges Biden to protect Montanans’ access to Medicare Advantage

February 8, 2023

Source: NBC Montana MISSOULA, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines, along with bipartisan colleagues, sent a letter to the Biden administration asking for extended support for the Medicare Advantage program. The Medicare Advantage program provides health care to millions of American seniors, people with disabilities, and over 60,000 Montanans, according to Daines. “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

Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Protect Montanans’ Access to Medicare Advantage Program

February 8, 2023

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

January 20, 2023

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

December 22, 2022

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

December 6, 2022

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

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