Amid Coronavirus Crisis, Tester Secures Nearly $300,000 to Help Fort Peck Respond

$286,136 to help public health services prepare for, prevent spread of COVID-19

Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured nearly $300,000 to help Fort Peck bolster its public health services.

Tester secured the $286,136 grant through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act which will benefit Fort Peck’s Tribal health care, and enable the Tribe to better respond to and prevent further spread of COVID-19.

“Tribal communities in rural Montana are among the most at-risk for outbreaks of this deadly disease, so it is critical they have the resources they need to respond,” Tester said. “This funding will help make sure folks on Fort Peck will be better prepared to handle the coronavirus, keeping them healthy and safe as we confront this crisis. I am going to keep fighting to make sure Washington lives up to its trust and treaty responsibilities and see to it that Indian Country isn’t left behind.”

Tester has led the charge to make sure Native American communities are included in the COVID-19 response. He demanded U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar release $80 million Congress appropriated as a part of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act after a nearly two week delay, and has pressed the Administration to work with Native American communities and Tribal leaders in coordinating their response to the outbreak. Tester also called on the Trump Administration to engage with Tribal leaders to make sure that COVID-19 relief resources are directed quickly to where they are most needed, and that the federal government lives up to its trust and treaty responsibilities.