Jon Tester

November 17, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a measure that will make a major investment in jobs in Great Falls and will significantly improve veterans’ health care, Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus announced today.

Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, and Baucus secured the funding for Malmstrom Air Force Base and for better veterans’ services in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senators Daniel Akaka, Jon Tester and Mark Begich held a press conference today to discuss legislation to improve health care services to America's veterans. A single Republican Senator is obstructing efforts to pass the bipartisan Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009. Among other things, the legislation will provide benefits to caregivers of severely injured veterans, expand health care services to women, improve mental care treatment, provide outreach to homeless veterans and enhance VA medical services.    » read more »

Two Montanans scheduled to testify during November 5 hearing

October 30, 2009 -- (BIG SANDY, Mont.) – At the request of Senator Jon Tester, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next week to address better health care for American Indian veterans.

Those testifying at the November 5 hearing will include Kevin Howlett, Director of Tribal Health for Montana’s Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Buck Richardson, Minority Program Coordinator at Ft. Harrison.

Tester—a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee—requested the hearing last month.    » read more »

Senator applauds extension of access, continues work on permanent fix

October 19, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today announced that a bill to preserve access to medical supplies for seniors in rural areas was signed into law by the President.

Tester championed the measure in the Senate to postpone new regulations on the sale of medical supplies by community pharmacies.

Without the extension, community pharmacies would have been required to be accredited before selling certain medical supplies. These supplies include wheelchairs, walkers, canes, diabetes testing strips and prosthetics.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after Senator Max Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee passed a health care reform plan with a bipartisan vote of 14-9:

“No one has worked harder for health care reform than Max, and this is an impressive achievement. Max always puts Montana first, and Montanans know that we can count on him to look out for rural America and our seniors.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Max and the Senate Finance Committee for their progress on the vital effort to reform the health insurance industry for America’s working families. This bipartisan vote is a big step forward.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Veterans’ Administration’s decision to allow Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange to file for service-connected disability benefits and medical care if they are now suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, B-cell (“hairy cell”) leukemia or ischemic heart disease:

“I thank the Secretary for making this important decision. It’s another significant step in the right direction. And it gives many folks who served honorably during the Vietnam War overdue recognition that their service and sacrifice is honored and appreciated by all of us.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- HELENA – Montana's two U.S. Senators and Attorney General have joined forces to combat the growing misuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester along with Attorney General Steve Bullock announced their support Tuesday for designating October as National Medical Abuse Awareness Month. Baucus and Tester have signed on as co-sponsors of a measure in the Senate that will raise awareness of the misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications and urge communities to implement educational programs associated with medicinal abuse.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Hailing it as a victory for seniors in rural America, Senator Jon Tester announced that the Senate passed a measure to preserve access to medical supplies.

Tester championed a Senate measure that postpones new regulations on the sale of medical supplies by community pharmacies.

Without the measure, community pharmacies would have to be accredited in order to sell certain medical supplies, including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, diabetes testing strips, and prosthetics. In rural communities, the local pharmacy is often the only option for seniors to purchase such health care supplies.    » read more »

Funding is for critical infrastructure investments and energy research

October 2, 2009 -- (GREAT FALLS, Mont.) – Montana will receive significant funding to invest in critical energy and water infrastructure thanks to a bill expected to be approved by the Senate in the coming days, Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus announced today.

Tester was chosen to negotiate a final version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Negotiators from the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives agreed on the final version, which includes more than $65 million for Montana energy and water projects.

Both Tester and Baucus plan to vote for the final bill. The measure already passed the House.    » read more »

6/17/2009 -- (Helena) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) praise the decision by the Obama Administration to declare Libby a public health emergency.

“At last Washington D.C. is fully recognizing the plight of the communities of Libby and Troy,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “The designated funds will be used to make the communities healthier.”

The declaration, nearly ten years in the making, was announced this morning in Washington D.C. during a joint news conference with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Health and Human Services and Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester.    » read more »

Senators Call Announcement a "Monumental Victory"

June 17, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) – After a nearly decade-long fight, Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, today announced a long-awaited Public Health Emergency for Libby.

The Public Health Emergency determination requires the federal government to provide screenings and health care for Libby residents with asbestos-related disease. The Department of Health and Human Services is making available a short-term grant to provide needed asbestos-related medical care to Libby and Troy residents.    » read more »

Money will go to eight northern border counties

June 4, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today announced that eight Montana counties will receive a combined $1.8 million to improve security along Montana’s northern border.

Eight of Montana's northern border counties will receive money to help pay for fuel, personnel, and equipment. County law enforcement agencies partner with the U.S. Border Patrol to monitor the border for suspicious activities, respond to calls, and participate in training exercises.

* Phillips - $215,719
* Valley - $ 215,068
* Blaine - $ 215,393
* Hill - $217,997
* Glacier - $210,837
* Daniels - $ 69,560
* Toole - $215,719
* Flathead - $229,659    » read more »

Crapo co-sponsors legislation to increase funding share

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC—Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) are taking steps to improve how money is distributed to rural transit systems across the country. The Senators have introduced the Rural Transit Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2009 to increase rural, elderly, and disabled transit funding in rural states like Idaho, Montana and South Dakota. Crapo, a member of the Senate Banking Committee with jurisdiction over public transit issues, is the lead Republican sponsor of the bill.    » read more »