Tester Applauds State Purchase of 650,000 Tests for Montana’s Public Health Departments with Help From the American Rescue Plan

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today praised the State of Montana’s purchase of 650,000 COVID-19 rapid tests to be distributed to county public health departments. Because of provisions in the American Rescue Plan, the state has access to testing supplies and funding opportunities to purchase these supplies so Montanans can receive tests for free.

“Testing is a critical tool to help protect Montanans from this virus and allow us to continue our economic recovery by keeping businesses and schools open,” said Tester. “I’m thrilled the state is able to use the funding we secured in the American Rescue Plan to provide support for our public health departments.”

Tester was the only member of the Montana congressional delegation to support the American Rescue Plan, which made this purchase possible. Senator Tester worked with Montana small business owners, Republican and Democratic local elected officials, and public education leaders to ensure the American Rescue Plan delivered for Montanans. These resources-which Republican politicians in the state legislature and other state officials opposed-have been utilized by Montanans to reopen businesses, schools, the state’s economy in the fight against COVID-19.

The American Rescue Plan’s positive impact can be seen by the fact that Montana’s unemployment rate has dropped consistently since its passage and is the lowest it’s been in 15 years.