Gianforte’s Long Opposition to Rural Broadband in Focus as Communities Now Struggle to Cope with Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 26, 2020
CONTACT
nathan@montanademocrats.org:
matt@montanademocrats.org
Gianforte’s Long Opposition to Rural Broadband in Focus as Communities Now Struggle to Cope with Pandemic
Lack of Access to Reliable Internet Makes Social Distancing More Challenging for Rural Montanans
Helena, MT – As the nation continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, families across Montana are counting on our elected officials to act in the best interest of our state. And while all communities are threatened by the spread of this virus, folks living in rural Montana will face significant additional challenges as workplaces, classrooms, and doctor’s offices transition online.
Congressman Gianforte has failed rural Montanans time and time again. Gianforte has repeatedly voted against grant funding for increased rural broadband, distance learning, and telemedicine programs, all critical services to rural Montanans — especially under this new coronavirus reality. Congressman Gianforte continues to oppose the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, which if repealed, would rip health insurance away from nearly 142,000 Montanans, and leave rural Montana hospitals 62% more likely to close. Yet in spite of his disgraceful record, Gianforte has shamelessly touted his support for the very programs he voted against, even smiling for photo ops celebrating grants that he opposed.
“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted so many different ways that Congressman Gianforte has abandoned rural Montanans,” said MDP Executive Director Sandi Luckey. “Rural families, who — now more than ever — need access to quality, affordable healthcare and reliable, high speed internet deserve much better than Greg Gianforte. We need a Congressman who stands for all Montanans, not one who turns his back on rural communities until it’s time to claim credit for the accomplishments of others.”
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