Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure Projects in Stearns County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for road and wastewater infrastructure projects in Stearns County. The projects include road improvements in the cities of Sartell and Waite Park, and wastewater system upgrades in St. Cloud. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN). “From critical road improvements to upgrading a sewer system, these projects will bolster important infrastructure in Stearns County and surrounding areas,” said Klobuchar. “We worked with local leaders to secure these resources and move these projects forward.” “Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing roadways, bridges and water treatment facilities, it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what these projects will do,” said Smith. “These projects are going to make life easier and safer for Stearns County residents.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Save Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand a lifeline for rural hospitals facing closure. The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would remove barriers for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. These changes would help rural hospitals facing closure to receive federal financial assistance to remain open and serving their communities through emergency stabilizing care and obstetric care, rather than closing and forcing community members to travel further distances for emergency care. In Minnesota, more than one-third of rural health care systems were in the red as of 2019. “Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.” “Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps keep rural communities prospering,” said Senator Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Mike Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Health Care Providers Continue Delivering Telehealth Services to Rural America
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help health care providers continue delivering telehealth services to rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act would provide an additional $200 million for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which ran out of funding in July. A bipartisan House companion bill has been introduced by U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). The FCC established the COVID-19 Telehealth Program in April to help health care providers acquire telehealth technology to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Such infrastructure included telehealth platforms, wireless access points for patients, tablets
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Help Students Access Mental Health Services in Schools Passes the House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that her legislation to make sure students in schools across the nation are able to access mental health services passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This gets her bill over a major hurdle on its way to becoming law. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Mental Health Services for Students Act—would help schools partner with local mental health providers to establish on-site, mental health services for students. It would also provide training for school personnel on how to recognize, assist and refer students who may need mental health assistance. Sen. Smith says that young people
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Stop Surprise Medical Bills for COVID-19 Tests
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/30/20]—Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said far too many people are being forced by their insurance companies to pay for coronavirus (COVID-19) tests that should be free. On Wednesday, Sen. Smith introduced her Stop COVID-19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 to protect Americans from unanticipated COVID-19 test charges. The measure clarifies that insurers cannot refuse to cover medically necessary tests, directs federal health officials to help ensure providers and insurers understand how to submit claims to protect patients from surprise bills, and strengthens price transparency requirements. A House companion was introduced by U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). Right now, Senator Smith’s Free COVID-19 Testing Act—enacted into law as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18—requires public health insurance
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/26/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Americans need Supreme Court Justices who will protect the rights of all Americans, and deliver equal justice for all. Judge Barrett’s record opposing the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights for women shows that she is not qualified to safeguard our constitutional rights and liberties as a member of our nation’s highest court. It is for those reasons that I will oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.”
English