The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed more than ever before the flaws in our healthcare system. Too many people struggle to afford their insurance or have none at all. Many who had private insurance have lost it since losing their jobs due to the pandemic.

Gov. Steve Bullock put Montanans’ needs first by working with both parties to increase access to healthcare, including expanding Medicaid twice to provide affordable care to nearly 1 in 10 Montanans. Without Medicaid expansion, there would be no safety net for those who couldn't afford insurance or who lost their insurance when their jobs disappeared during the pandemic.

Now, people can obtain replacement coverage based on a sliding scale tied to their income. What could be more important in a pandemic than access to affordable or subsidized healthcare!  It helps keep us all safe.

While there’s still much to do to fix our healthcare system, we were better prepared to handle this health crisis thanks to Governor Bullock’s leadership. He issued early shelter in place orders, putting Montana in the enviable position of having one of the lowest numbers of COVID-19 cases per capita in the U.S. Now, he is following science to put in  a requirement for masks in public in at risk counties.

I trust him to continue doing what’s right for all Montanans. Governor Bullock has my full support for Senate.

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