Sen. Tester Hosts In-Person Town Hall to Hear from Montanans About Health Care

GREAT FALLS, Mont., June 24 -- The office of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Jon Tester held another public, in-person town hall today to hear directly from Montanans about the recently released Senate health care bill.

Tester is the only member of Montana's congressional delegation holding face-to-face town halls with the public.

After 13 Senators drafted the controversial, so-called Better Care Reconciliation Act in secret, they finally released the legislation for the public to read just days before a Senate vote.

"This public town hall was another important opportunity to hear from the people of Montana about what's at risk if the Senate passes this reckless bill, which drives up health care costs, takes away coverage, and gives tax breaks to the very wealthy," said Tester. "Health care impacts every man, woman, and child in our state and this legislation will take us back to the days where folks got sick and couldn't afford life-saving medical care. We need to make improvements to our current health care system, not kick thousands off their health insurance plans and jack up rates for Montana families."

The health care plan, which many health providers oppose, faces a Senate vote next week. The legislation does the following things:

* Imposes an age tax on folks in their 50s and 60s.

* Cuts Medicaid, threatening coverage for 250,000 Montanans.

* Threatens coverage for folks with pre-existing conditions.

* Raises long-term out-of-pocket health care costs.

* Gives tax breaks to corporations & wealthy individuals.

In addition to regular face-to-face meeting with Montanans, Tester also hosts frequent tele town halls and online town halls to connect directly with Montanans.

Tester has spent the last seven months on a statewide health care tour. From Plentywood to Billings to Butte and Libby, Tester has held over a dozen health care listening sessions in every corner of the state.

To read a summary of the Better Care Reconciliation Act click HERE (https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/SENATEHEALTHCARE.pdf).