Tag: Health

Daines Introduces Bill to Improve Indian Health Service for Montanans

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce the “Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act” to address persistent failures and increase accountability at the Indian Health Service (IHS). Consistent shortcomings, unmet staffing needs, lack of oversight and longstanding deficiencies at the IHS have resulted in significant gaps in Montana tribal citizens accessing high-quality care. The bill helpsaddress the many issues recipients of IHS care face by improving patient access to safe and reliable health services. “For too long the IHS has failed to provide Montanans with reliable, quality care. It’s time we enact serious reform and hold IHS accountable in order for tribal leaders,

Daines to Bring Pence to Billings for Firsthand Look at Montana’s Meth Crisis

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he is bringing Vice President Mike Pence to Billings next Wednesday (6/12) for a firsthand look at Montana’s devastating meth crisis. Pence will join Daines at the RiverStone Health Clinic for a briefing from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDAT) and the Yellowstone Substance Abuse Coalition.  Click HERE to download video. “Montana has a crisis on its hands. Mexican meth is pouring into our state and tearing our families and communities apart,” Daines said. “I’ve been fighting hard to tackle this growing issue all over our state and

Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other

Daines Announces Grants for MSU for Rural Healthcare & Asbestos Research

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced Montana State University (MSU) received $190,000 to increase quality healthcare services and for asbestos research.  MSU received $172,000 for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare for rural Montana.  “I look forward to seeing Montana State University use this funding to expand their healthcare services to increase the quality of services for rural Montanans,” Daines stated. Kristin Juliar, Director of Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health: “We find inspiration every day in the work of the healthcare organizations that serve rural and

Daines Announces over $400,000 for Rural Hospitals

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana State University was awarded $428,617 for the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center to improve services at small rural hospitals in Montana – all but one are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). “Ensuring rural hospitals have the tools and training they need will provide a better healthcare system and better care for all Montanans,” Daines stated.  There are forty-eight rural hospitals in Montana which meet the requirements for participation in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP), forty-seven of which are CAHs. Montana is one of the

Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. “It’s unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security,” Daines stated. “With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear weapons until the permanent solution of an expedited procurement is complete.”  Daines secured the following provisions in the Defense Appropriations Bill:  Upgrading UH-1Ns: $75 million in the bill for the Air

Daines Announces over $99,000 for Polson Hospital

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that St. Joseph Hospital in Polson will receive $99,023 to address healthcare needs in rural areas.  The grant will be used by St. Joseph Hospital to engage a network of hospitals serving rural communities through development of a Western Montana Rural Nursing Collaborative (WMRNC). WMRNC provides a unique partnership of hospitals that seek to expand, enhance and improve access to services in rural communities and allow patients to receive high-quality care closer to home. “This is a collaborative project and a made-in-Montana solution that supports our nurses, helps lower healthcare costs and

Daines Addresses Montana’s Veterans Long-Standing Concerns

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today moved forward important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to healthcare services.  This afternoon, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes many of Daines’ reforms that address Montana’s veterans long-standing concerns.  “I am proud to secure important priorities for Montana on behalf of those that served our nation in uniform,” Daines stated.  Daines also successfully included an amendment during the committee process protects veterans’ ability to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.   The amendment would

Daines Announces Over $3 Million in Funding for Montana Health Centers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $3,118,584.00 in funding for community health centers in Montana to provide improved continuity of care, mobile services to rural locations and increased access to affordable care.  The Department of Health and Human Services will provide funding to improve community health and public healthcare services.  “Montana Community Health Centers provide critical healthcare services for Montanans, increasing access close to home,” Daines stated. “Through this additional funding these health centers will further enhance their quality and reliability of care for Cascade and Glacier Counties.”  Grants awarded today include: Cascade City – County Health Department: $1,494,954.00 Glacier Community Health

Daines Announces Nearly $7 Million in Critical Funding for Montana Health Centers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $6,989,615.00 in funding for community health centers in Montana to provide improved continuity of care, mobile services to rural locations and increased access to affordable care. The Department of Health and Human Services will provide funding to improve community health and public healthcare services. “Montana’s community health centers provide reliable and quality healthcare services to thousands of Montanans,” Daines stated. “Through this additional funding these health centers will be able to better serve rural communities and maintain the continuity of services.” Grants awarded today include: Lincoln County Community Health Center: $1,508,655.00 Montana Migrant Council, Inc.: $1,884,532.00