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 Statement on Expansion of Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Montanans
U.S. SENATE – Today, Senator Daines released the following statement after Governor Gianforte and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced federal approval to increase substance use disorder treatment for Montanans. “Expanding access to substance use treatment in Montana is critical to help the state address public health issues, including methamphetamine use and opioid abuse —and today’s news is a good step in that direction. I thank Governor Gianforte for his hard work in making this possible, and I remain committed to continuing my work in the Senate to ensure Montanans have access to the treatment they need,” Daines said. Contact: Rachel
Daines, Markey Bipartisan Senate Resolution Marking May as “Brain Tumor Awareness Month” Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Ed Markey’s bipartisan Senate resolution designating May 2022 as “Brain Tumor Awareness Month” passed the United States Senate. “Too many Montanans struggle with the terrible health implications of brain tumors, and I know firsthand the impact it has on the patient’s family. I’m pleased to designate May as ‘Brain Tumor Awareness Month’ for the fifth year in a row to help raise public awareness of brain tumors, including the opportunities for advances in brain tumor research and treatment,” Daines said. “The lives of too many American families have been changed forever because of a loved
Daines, Cotton Urge Biden to Withdraw from World Health Organization
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tom Cotton sent a letter to President Biden expressing concerns with the administration’s recent actions regarding the future of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Senators urge President Biden to not only rescind the proposed January 18, 2022, amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), but also to withdraw the United States from this corrupt and inept international organization. “Your administration has decided to support at least two measures intended to increase the power of the WHO at the expense of sovereign nations like our own. First, you proposed IHR amendments that would,
Daines Introduces Bill to Increase the Baby Formula Supply for Montana Families
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill to combat domestic baby formula shortages and bolster the supply chain to help Montana families feed their babies. “Over 40% of Montana’s baby formula supply is out of stock, and Montana moms and dads are struggling to feed their babies because of it. This is a crisis for families in Montana, and we must prioritize the needs of these parents and children,” Daines said. “It is critical that we combat this formula shortage and bolster the supply chain in order to get formula back on the shelves immediately.” For a one-pager on the
Daines: Reports of Biden Admin Quietly Shuttering Montana Veteran Health Care Facilities is Unacceptable
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
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
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
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
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