Tester Talks Health Care, Jobs and Budget with Montanans

Senator Hosts Telephone Town Hall Meeting to hear directly from more than 17,000 Montanans

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester tonight talked jobs, health care, and the federal budget with over 17,000 Montanans during a telephone town hall meeting.

Tester, who regularly speaks with constituents face-to-face during public listening sessions across the state, took questions about the controversial American Health Care Act, President Trump’s proposed budget, education, and campaign finance reform.

“Montanans deserve a say in the important debates about access to affordable health care, protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, jobs, infrastructure, education, and the future of our country,” Tester said. “Regardless of whether it’s over the phone, online, during a public listening session or in line at Harbor Freight, I always want to hear from all Montanans.”

The Senate version of the controversial American Health Care Act, which some Senators are writing in secret without public hearings or input, dominated tonight’s discussion. As written, the plan would jack up the cost of health care for people in their 50s and 60s and threaten Montana’s rural hospitals and nursing homes while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.

Tester has hosted dozens of listening sessions and town hall meetings this year, and he spent last week traveling across Montana holding public events.

Tester held public listening sessions and events last week in Glendive, Lewistown, Bozeman, Belgrade, Laurel, Billings, Missoula, Ronan, and Kalispell.

Montanans who weren’t able to join today’s town hall can share their feedback at one Tester’s eight offices across the state, or by emailing him through his website HERE.