Latest Releases
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, Chris Murphy Introduce Bill to Forgive Student Loan Debt for Beginning Farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, legislation to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women, veteran, and minority farmers. Student loan debt is a major hurdle for beginning farmers, and this legislation would incentivize farmers to enter—and stay—in the agricultural industry, and strengthen opportunities to grow successful businesses. The average age of a farmer in the United States is 58 years old. Smith and Murphy’s legislation will reduce barriers for young, diverse farmers hoping to take over as the current generation of farmers and producers begin to retire. “To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to continue to invest in the next generation of farmers as the average age of farmers keeps going up. There is more we can be doing to help future farmers fill their shoes,” said Senator Smith. “Student debt is one of the most significant challenges our young farmers and ranchers face. This legislation would help encourage a younger, more diverse workforce and help more people start and stay in farming.” “Connecticut farmers have always been the lifeblood of our rural communities, but starting and maintaining a new farm is increasingly unaffordable for young people who are often saddled with student loan debt and can’t afford to make additional investments necessary for success. By helping new farmers pay off their student loans, this legislation would pave the
Sen. Smith Introduces Bill to Make Eventual COVID-19 Vaccine Free
For Immediate Release: August 1, 2020 Contact: Katie McElrath katie_mcelrath@smith.senate.gov 202-365-5865 WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/11/20]—Sen. Smith announced that she’s introduced legislation that would make the eventual coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine free to everyone, regardless of insurance status. The bill, called the Free COVID-19 Treatment Act, would also waive any cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment to anyone, regardless of how an individual gets health insurance, or whether they have insurance at all. Sen. Smith says that more than 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance between February and May, representing the highest annual percentage increase in the number of uninsured people in American history, largely driven by pandemic related job losses. On top of financial insecurity, newly uninsured and
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Demands Postmaster General Explain Delays, Intent Of Sudden USPS Changes, and Mail Disruptions in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/8/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today demanded that U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy explain the recent and sudden structural changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that threaten reliable mail service for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country, and provide answers about the recent, week-long halt in mail service to Minneapolis public housing residents. In a letter to Dejoy Saturday, Sen. Smith said the changes, delays and disruptions at USPS hold significant implications for millions of American households – especially veterans, older citizens and rural residents who depend on the mail for life-saving medicines, census
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith & Rep. Angie Craig Introduce Legislation to Help High School Students in Minnesota Who Lost Jobs Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/7/20]—This week U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-2) were joined by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Reps. Dean Phillips (MN-3), Ilhan Omar (MN-5) and Betty McCollum (MN-4) as they introduced bicameral legislation to help high school students in Minnesota who have lost jobs due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The lawmakers said that many high school students have jobs to cover basic expenses for themselves and their families like food, utilities and rent. Students also work to save money for future costs such as college. But the pandemic and its related economic downfall have put many high school students out of work, leaving
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Demands Postmaster General Explain Delays, Intent Of Sudden USPS Changes, and Mail Disruptions in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/8/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today demanded that U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy explain the recent and sudden structural changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that threaten reliable mail service for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country, and provide answers about the recent, week-long halt in mail service to Minneapolis public housing residents. In a letter to Dejoy Saturday, Sen. Smith said the changes, delays and disruptions at USPS hold significant implications for millions of American households – especially veterans, older citizens and rural residents who depend on the mail for life-saving medicines, census
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