Tag: Daines’ Work on Coronavirus

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged Governor Steve Bullock to improve communication with Montana Tribes and provide more relief funding to Tribal communities after an alarming report showed they have received less than 1% of funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) which was given to the state by the federal government. “Indian Country has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is alarming that Montana’s tribal governments have received less than $600,000 of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allocation provided by the CARES Act, which was intended to help all Montanans,” Daines wrote. “It is disappointing

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct an assessment of Montana’s COVID-19 situation and asking for additional federal assistance to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.  “Montana is currently experiencing a regional surge of COVID-19 cases.  Nationally, we have the third highest rate of new cases and the second highest rate of test positivity.  Last week, an average of 84% of hospitals in Montana reported either new confirmed or new suspected COVID-19 patients each day,” Daines wrote. “As Montana is experiencing a record number of positive COVID-19 cases and our hospitals across

U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec to ensure Montana has the medical supplies and medicines needed as the state is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.  “I write to you today to encourage the expeditious review of Montana’s requests for supplies and medicines from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to ensure our health care system, first responders, and care facilities are equipped to handle the COVID-19 crisis,” Daines wrote. “As our state is currently experiencing a regional surge in COVID-19 cases, I would

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to investigate the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation facility following a pattern of serious noncompliance with federal regulations and the deaths of multiple residents following a COVID-19 outbreak.    “As someone who wants to ensure that our most vulnerable are protected, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge you to further investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths and re-evaluate this facility’s suitability to continue providing care as well as whether the state survey agency properly enforced the regulations in place to protect residents,” Daines wrote. “In light of these

U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee released a report on care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that highlighted the need for Senator Daines’ bill to help nursing homes promptly identify and contain outbreaks of COVID-19. Daines’ bill would help ensure Montana’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities are equipped to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and support diagnostic testing in order to protect our most vulnerable. “Montana seniors are some of the most at risk in our communities during this public health emergency. As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear from this

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats blocked a targeted COVID-19 relief package that would have provided relief for Montanans and millions of American workers, families, schools, small businesses and expanded access to testing and promoted vaccine development. “This targeted relief package would have provided critical support for Montana families, workers and small businesses, as well as support our schools and provide strong funding for the development and manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine,” Daines said. “It’s beyond disappointing to see Schumer block this bill when there are Montanans who are in need of targeted relief right

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund approved $7,816,794 for the State of Montana to provide financial assistance to Montanans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows the $6,779,366 distributed to the State of Montana last week. “This critical funding will help the thousands of Montanans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and give them the support they need to get through these tough times,” Daines said. “I will continue working alongside the Administration to ensure struggling Montanans have access to additional unemployment funds.”