Obamacare

Montana Congressman Steve Daines stated on Tuesday, October 8, that he does not, in the short term, see a path forward in the effort to find any common ground in the political fight between Republicans in the House and President Obama.

The Montana State Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection is warning Montanans about possible identity theft scams related to medical and health insurance services like the new Affordable Healthcare Act exchanges.

As of 12:01 a.m. EST on Tuesday, the federal government closed down. Congressional leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate were unable to reach an agreement on a budget or a temporary fix, known as a continuing resolution, before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.

UPDATE - 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 30 As of Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Montana Congressman Steve Daines was preparing to head back to the House floor to cast yet another vote that might result in a government shutdown.

With Congress unable to agree on a budget or even a short-term emergency bill, it's increasingly likely that the federal government will suffer its first shutdown in 17 years. Leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate will trade proposals on Monday, but neither side is optimistic that they will reach an agreement.

The Affordable Care Act's health exchanges are set to open on October 1. Although the government claims that the insurance rates will be lower than expected, some experts argue that costs will be higher than what many Montanans have experienced in the past.

The Affordable Health Care Act insurance exchanges will officially open for business on Tuesday, October 1. Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen will speak at two locations in Missoula on Monday, September 30.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Freshman Sen. Ted Cruz says he will speak until he's no longer able to stand in opposition to President Barack Obama's health care law.

Healthcare administrators from around Western Montana met at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula on Thursday, September 19 to discuss the future of their industry in rapidly changing times.

One of the new terms Montanans will become familiar with in the coming months is "navigators." Navigators are individuals and organizations that help guide those with questions about how to access and utilize the new Obamacare health exchanges.