SBA issues $1.7B in loans to Montana businesses; state pays $75M in uninsurance
More than 20,000 small businesses across Montana have received funding from the Paycheck Protection Program passed by Congress in March, Sen. Steve Daines said Monday. The funding was part of a $2 trillion package that included $350 billion earmarked for the stimulus program. Daines said 20,683 loans have been approved for Montana businesses totaling more than $1.74 billion in relief. Also on Monday, as restaurants across Montana began a phased reopening, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry said it issued more than 57,000 uninsurance payments last week, totaling more than $75 million. “We understand that this is an uncertain
Daines Urges Relief for Montana Low Income Communities During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging the Administration to provide relief for the Opportunity Zones Program to support low-income communities during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. “As we work together to ensure the American economy recovers to the historic growth levels it was experiencing just months ago, we must also ensure that our low-income communities are not left behind as we return to business as usual,” Daines wrote. “Relief focused on giving stakeholders, projects, and businesses additional time and flexibility to meet Opportunity Zone requirements, timelines, and thresholds will enable Opportunity Zone businesses to weather the
Daines: We Must Bring Drug Manufacturing Back to America, Reduce Dependency on China
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines is pushing legislation to end the United States’ reliance on China for drug and medical equipment manufacturing and bring those jobs back to the United States. “America cannot continue to rely on foreign countries like China to manufacture our PPE and critical drugs,” Daines said. “China’s lack of transparency and cover up of the virus made this global pandemic much worse—it costs lives and devastated our booming economy. The coronavirus has made it clear that we must bring drug manufacturing and medical equipment jobs back to the United States and strengthen our capacity to respond to
Gazette Opinion: Among COVID pratfalls, a pirouette
The COVID crisis should transcend politics. After all, more than 60,000 Americans have died and more than 1.1 million of us have been sickened. Astonishingly, most people agree those numbers are conservative. But of course it is political. The infighting has been intense and greatly counterproductive. On every level, too, we’ve seen examples of dubious policy decisions. Across the country, we citizens have witnessed far less reliance on public health experts and sound science than we’d like as politicians make decisions that could mean life or death. We’ve also seen our economy, so sturdy and vibrant just a couple of
Daines Secures Almost $200 Million to Support Montana’s Rural Healthcare Providers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be directing $199,485,740 to support 121 rural healthcare providers in Montana during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. “These resources are vital for Montana’s critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, and community health centers that have been in desperate need of relief during these challenging times,” Daines said. “I will continue working to ensure that Montana’s hospitals and healthcare providers are equipped to care for our communities across the state.” Daines fought to secure $100 billion in the Phase Three Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package
Daines Secures $300,000 for Access to Community Resources for Montana Seniors, Montanans with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be directing $300,000 to support older Montanans and those with disabilities connect with community resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is about getting Montana seniors and those with disabilities access to the critical resources they need to stay safe and healthy during this Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “I will continue fighting to ensure that all Montanans, including those most at risk to this virus, receive the care and support they need as we work to overcome this crisis.” Daines fought to secure
Daines Secures Over $9 Million for Montana Higher Education Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Education will be directing $8,417,240 through the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Fund to support Montana tribal colleges, community colleges and low-income students amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Additional funds of $715,380 will be directed to eligible Montana colleges. “This is about ensuring tribal colleges, community colleges and low income students receive the relief they need during this Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “I am committed to supporting all Montana students during these challenging times.” The $8,417,240 will be distributed to the following: $7,634,068 to Tribally Controlled Colleges and
Daines Works with Trump to Secure & Deliver Critical PPE, Testing Supplies for Montana During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today shared updated numbers from the White House on the amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing supplies Montana has received during the coronavirus pandemic. Daines specifically worked with the Trump administration to ensure Montana received this support. “Working with President Trump, I’ve helped secure critical PPE and testing supplies for Montana to help keep our communities, families and healthcare professionals safe and healthy,” Daines said. “I am grateful for President Trump’s support and I will continue fighting to ensure the needs of Montanans are met and we prioritize public health as we work to
Daines Urges Greater Support for Montana Seniors and Healthcare Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Verma urging them to ensure access to audio-only telephone-based services during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is vital for Medicare patients who live in communities that lack sufficient broadband and internet connectivity. “In order to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries in all regions of the country can have access to health care services during this time, we strongly urge you to address Medicare payment differences that exist between audio-visual telehealth services and audio-only medical