Health Care Archives - Page 3 of 16

Daines: Reports of Biden Admin Quietly Shuttering Montana Veteran Health Care Facilities is Unacceptable

March 3, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today slammed reports that the Biden administration is quietly closing veteran health care clinics across Montana. Daines spoke directly with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to share his concerns about the potential closures and the impacts to Montana veterans. Last month Daines also requested answers and transparency from the VA on the potential closures. “Reports that the VA under Biden plans to silently shutter health care clinics across Montana is absolutely unacceptable. Countless Montana veterans rely on VA health care facilities for critical care and we must do everything we can to ensure these important services remain available to the men and

Daines: Pandemic, Lockdowns have Heightened Mental Health Challenges for Montana Youth

February 8, 2022

U.S. SENATE – Today at a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Steve Daines emphasized the concerning mental health impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on young Montanans. Specifically, Daines highlighted how pandemic policies like lockdowns have had a profound effect on our nation’s children. Daines is thankful for the leadership of Governor Gianforte who worked to end lockdowns and support the health and well-being of our children by getting them back to school. Daines has been selected as a co-chair of the Finance Committee’s Workforce Working Group to develop bipartisan legislation to bolster the mental health workforce and improve behavioral health care for patients in Montana and nationwide. To watch Daines’ remarks,

Daines Demands Answers from the VA on Decisions Impacting Veterans Health Care

February 4, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs calling for transparency and answers on decisions impacting Montana veterans. This includes an investigation which found 1,600 potentially ineligible providers in the VA’s system, the VA quietly consolidating Community Care offices and pending VA health care facility closures. “As you know, the GAO recently flagged some 1,600 health care providers as potentially ineligible to participate in the VCCP, including many who were deceased, had violent criminal records, and had revoked or suspended medical licenses. Our veterans and taxpayers deserve better. I would like to know

Daines Announces Over $450K to Support Anaconda Telehealth Program

January 26, 2022

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $457,603 will be granted to AWARE Inc. in Anaconda, Montana to purchase equipment and software to help improve the connectivity and capabilities of their telehealth program and provide critical remote services to Montanans. “For many Montanans, telehealth has become a vital lifeline to healthcare,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see AWARE Inc. in Anaconda receive these resources to help make telehealth more reliable and accessible for Montanans.” Daines helped secure this funding through the CARES Act. ### Contact: Rachel Dumke, Katie Schoettler

Daines, Smith, Moran, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Telehealth Access

November 5, 2021

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) that would make pandemic-driven expanded access to telehealth services under Medicare permanent. “For many Montanans, the windshield time it takes to see a doctor can be a significant barrier to getting the health care they need. Thankfully, telehealth is transforming how folks receive care. Particularly in our rural communities, telehealth is no longer just an innovative option for accessing services, it has become a vital lifeline to care,” Daines said. “After the public health emergency ends, we need to ensure Montanans continue to have access to

Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Peer Counseling, Increase Montanans’ Access to Mental Health Services

November 1, 2021

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, cosponsored a bipartisan bill, the “PEERS Act,” to expand access to peer support services for Montanans with mental health and substance use conditions. “The COVID-19 pandemic has put a great strain on an already stretched thin mental health system, especially when it comes to the mental and behavioral health care workforce. Allowing Medicare to cover peer support services would expand critical access to care for individuals in Montana with mental illness or substance use conditions. It would also help build upon the successful peer support network in Montana, which helps deliver recovery-oriented behavioral health services

Daines: Democrats’ Reckless Tax & Spending Spree Puts Gov’t Between Montanans & their Doctor

October 22, 2021

U.S. SENATE — At a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing this week, Senator Steve Daines called attention to health care policies in the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion reckless tax and spending spree bill that would create new entitlement programs, reduce private health coverage, and push Americans onto government-run health insurance. Watch and download the Senator’s remarks HERE. “President Biden and the Democrats are pushing a big government, $3.5 trillion reckless tax and spending spree that will reshape the foundation of America, create new entitlement programs, and increase Americans’ dependence on government-subsidized, government-controlled insurance coverage. It will further increase Washington’s control over Americans’ lives, including

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Care for Montana Servicemembers

October 21, 2021

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bipartisan bill to support suicide prevention and mental health care for Montana servicemembers. The introduction of the “Save Our Servicemembers Act,” follows an alarming report revealing a 15% increase in military suicides in 2020 from the year before. “Montana has one of the highest number per capita of veterans in America, and sadly has one of the highest veteran suicide rates,” Daines said. “Montana veterans and their families have sacrificed everything to defend our freedoms—we must support them when they return home. Read the bill text of the “Save Our Servicemembers Act” HERE. Background:

Daines Calls on VA to Address Impact of Afghanistan Withdrawal on Montana Veterans’ Mental Health

August 31, 2021

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of senators calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct outreach to Montana veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism – especially those who served in Afghanistan – and provide them with mental health resources. Their request comes as reports find calls to veterans’ suicide hotlines have increased since the fall of Afghanistan earlier this month. “We write in light of the recent events in Afghanistan to encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to quickly develop a comprehensive outreach plan to connect Afghanistan and Global War on Terrorism veterans to VA benefits and services. More than two

Daines Introduces Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs, Expand Treatment Options for Montanans

June 23, 2021

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, introduced the “Lower Costs, More Cures Act,” which will support Montanans by lowering prescription drug prices, increasing transparency in the complex prescription drug pricing process and encouraging American ingenuity in the development of new treatments and cures. “Year after year, Montanans continue to face out of control prescription drugs costs. Folks in Montana and across the country should not have to choose between putting food on their table or paying for their medicine,” Daines said. “Congress should act to address the high out of pocket costs for prescription drugs, and we must

Tag: Health Care