U.S. SENATE – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Senator Daines’ bipartisan bill that helps support Montanans battling the devastating disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.
For a video statement from the Senator, click HERE.
“ALS is a devastating disease, and Montanans who have been diagnosed with it should not have to wait five months to receive disability benefits. My bipartisan bill eliminates this waiting period, providing quicker access to benefits for those who suffer from this aggressive disease. I’m glad to see my bill pass the U.S. Senate, and I will continue fighting until it’s passed out of the House and signed into law to help support Montanans battling ALS,” Daines said.
Currently, there is a Social Security Disability Insurance five-month waiting period for people with ALS. The five-month waiting period is intended to allow temporary conditions to reverse. However, there are no cures or treatments to delay or reverse the progression of ALS. Daines’ legislation will allow Montanans with ALS to receive both Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in the first month the patient is under disability.
ALS is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.