Tag: Health Care

Daines Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Stop Mail Delivery of Abortion Drugs

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today as Chairman of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus released the below statement following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling to stop the delivery of abortion-related drugs through the mail: “This is an important win in our continued fight to protect the unborn and their mothers,” Daines said. “I’m glad that our country’s highest court in the land has reinstated critical safety measures to stop the supply of dangerous abortion drugs being sent through the mail without the recipient ever seeing a doctor in person.”

Daines, Leahy Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Patrick Leahy (Vt.) announced that their bipartisan bill promoting access to affordable health care by increasing transparency and enhancing consumer protections in the health insurance passed the U.S. Senate and will be headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The “Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act” will ensure that health insurance issuers are subject to the same federal antitrust laws prohibiting unfair trade practices, such as price fixing and collusion, as virtually every other industry in our economy. “Our bipartisan bill will allow for greater transparency and oversight into the health insurance

Daines Leads Bipartisan Call for Congress to Address Looming Medicare Cuts

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines called on Senate leadership to ensure that any year-end legislative package address the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to severely cut physician payments beginning January 1, 2021. Senator Daines, along with 49 Senate colleagues, stressed that these payment cuts would further strain our nation’s health care system and cripple health care providers as we continue to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  “Health care professionals across the spectrum are reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 emergency as they continue to serve patients during this global pandemic,” Daines wrote. “The payment

Daines: We Must Work Together on Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today highlighted several Montana priorities in the Senate COVID-19 relief package which will be voted on this week. The relief package will provide relief for Montana workers, families, schools, small businesses as well as expand access to testing and promote vaccine development. “This targeted relief package will help Montana families, workers and small businesses bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as provide funding for Montana schools to keep students and teachers safe and advance vaccine development to help us get back to normal,” Daines said. “I encourage my colleagues on both sides

Daines Secures Over $5 Million for PPE, COVID-19 Supplies in Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be directing $5,713,604.24 to the State of Montana to support medical care for COVID-19 patients through the purchase and distribution of supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). “This funding is about ensuring that Montana has the financial resources to deal with the ongoing COIVD-19 pandemic,” Daines said. “I will continue working to ensure that all Montanans have the help they need during this crisis.” This funding will be directed to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Daines to Bullock: Need Transparency on COVID-19 Cases, Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities, Status Quo Unacceptable

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Governor Steve Bullock regarding the lack of reporting of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in Montana. Daines is calling on the Governor to make this information publicly available to improve senior care, help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.   “In Montana, outbreaks of COVID-19 in senior care facilities have tragically resulted in at least 200 positive cases and 25 deaths according to news reports; however, the data currently available provides an incomplete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on Montana’s senior

Daines Secures Over $9 Million to Support COVID-19 Testing, Staffing, PPE for Montana Nursing Homes

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) distributed $9,797,300 to 70 nursing homes in Montana to support increased testing for COVID-19, staffing, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs. “This critical funding will support COVID-19 testing, staffing, and PPE needs for our nursing homes across Montana,” Daines said. “I’m committed to ensuring that Montana’s most vulnerable and those who care for them are protected throughout the pandemic.” Daines worked to secure this allocation as a distribution under the Provider Relief program funded through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck

Daines Urges Administration to Improve Access to Vaccines for Montana Seniors

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma stressing the need to ensure Montana’s vulnerable, elderly, and disabled Medicare beneficiaries have the tools and treatments they need to stay healthy during the pandemic, including access to vaccines. “As the current COVID-19 pandemic rages on around the globe, researchers are racing to find a vaccine to protect and prevent further morbidity and mortality as a result of this novel virus. Older adults and persons with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are especially vulnerable

Daines Urges HHS to Provide Relief for Montana Senior Living Facilities

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging the inclusion of senior living providers in a future allocation from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF). “The healthcare heroes in these communities are on the front lines of this crisis, and while they continue to do everything they can to care for our nation’s seniors and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, they need financial relief,” Daines wrote. “I appreciate the allocations that the Administration has already made to numerous healthcare providers in Montana and

Daines Introduces Bill to Help Montanans Keep Their Health Care Plan If They Lose Their Jobs Due to COVID-19

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill to help thousands of working Montanans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 to retain their healthcare coverage. Daines’ bill would ensure Montanans are able to afford to keep their employee sponsored healthcare insurance by covering up to 85% of the cost of the plan. “Working Montanans and their families are facing serious hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic including losing their jobs and their health insurance,” Daines said. “That’s why I’m fighting to help ensure Montanans can afford to keep their health coverage if they lose their job because of COVID-19. Montanans shouldn’t be worried about not