Tester, Daines both schedule health care town halls

Havre Daily News staff

It didn't take long after the Republicans in the Senate released their proposal — crafted behind closed doors — to overhaul health care regulations for both of Montana’s U.S. senators to announce town hall meetings with Montanans about the proposal.

Sen. Jon Tester set a town hall for Saturday and Sen. Steve Daines scheduled a teletownhall for Wednesday.

“13 Senators have secretly drafted a bill that threatens health care for thousands of Montanans and risks wiping out Montana's rural hospitals while giving tax breaks to millionaires,” Tester, a Democrat, said today in a release announcing Saturday’s town hall meeting. “Montanans deserve a voice in this process, and that’s why I’m holding this town hall. I want to hear from my bosses, the people of Montana, about what they like and don’t like about this legislation.”

Daines, a Republican, said he is ready to hear from his constituents about the bill.

“I’m glad to see the draft text of the bill made public for everyone to see,” he said in a release Thursday. “I look forward to hearing directly from Montanans on this legislation, including on the 17th teletownhall I’ll be hosting next Wednesday.”

Tester’s meeting is set to start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Montana Electric Coooperatives’ Association at 501 Bay Drive in Great Falls.

People can register for Daines’ teletownhall by texting “SenatorDaines” (one word) to 828282 or by calling any of Daines’ offices to get registered for the event. Office locations and phone numbers are available online at https://www.daines.senate.gov.

Daines also has posted the text of the bill on his Senate website.