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 USPS to Investigate the Removal of Post Office Collection Boxes in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to investigate the removal of post office collection boxes in Montana and to express concerns about potential impacts on service times. “The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an essential service for Montanans in both urban and rural towns and is relied upon by Montana veterans, the elderly, and rural communities across the state,” Daines wrote. “Recently, I have received concerning reports that collection boxes have been removed in many Montana communities, including in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Livingston and
Treatment Court members discuss how to navigate COVID-19 challenges
HELENA – Members of Montana’s treatment court program met for the first time since the start of the pandemic at the Helena American Legion to discuss the best ways to get Montanans help during these isolated times. Representatives from Great Falls and Missoula treatment courts were in attendance to discuss concerns of COVID-19 and its impact on Montanans participating in treatment court programs. “The ones that came into the program right before the pandemic, we just don’t have that by in with them and the trust so it’s been really difficult with our group of people,” says Layla Eichler, First
Treatment court in COVID: Daines, Lewis and Clark County talk lessons learned during pandemic
Treatment courts have seen success in Montana but faced significant struggles during the coronavirus pandemic, Lewis and Clark County officials told U.S. Sen. Steve Daines on Friday. Daines joined a roundtable with treatment court staff, graduates and veterans’ advocates at American Legion Post 2 in Helena. The group came to discuss the value of treatment courts and the struggles they faced during COVID-19 when many of the face-to-face interactions the programs are based on became impossible. “I think this is such a great investment in taxpayer dollars because we’re literally seeing men and women on paths to incarceration get into
Daines requests more funding to support senior living during pandemic
Senior living providers should be included in future federal funding allocations from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), wrote U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) in an Aug. 12 letter sent to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar II. “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,” Sen. Daines wrote. “I appreciate the allocations that the administration has already made to numerous healthcare
MT delegation raises more questions on mail delays, drop boxes
HELENA — Montana’s congressional delegation Friday continued to raise questions about U.S. Postal Service actions they feared could delay mail service in the state – including the removal of mail drop-boxes from several cities. The Postal Service said Friday it’s putting on hold the removal of any of the traditional blue drop-boxes in Montana – although it has also said removal of some boxes is fairly routine, in response to mail volume. The drop-box-removal issue was raised first by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., on Thursday, in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, asking if the removals were occurring
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week TreasureBelles of Treasure County
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized the TreasureBelles of Treasure County for their commitment to promoting Montana agriculture in their communities. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: TRIBUTE TO THE TREASUREBELES
Daines: Hire Veterans to Work at VA
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored legislation that would encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to recruit medical personnel and professionals currently employed across military medical departments to work for the VA, providing jobs for Montana veterans. “Veterans serving veterans makes sense. My bill will help ensure Montanans making the transition from warrior to veteran have a job available where they can support their fellow veterans,” Daines said. “This will also help support and strengthen our veterans health services with the care they need and deserve.” The
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