From Twitter:
I visited the Tieszen Memorial Home to meet the residents and chat about what is going on in Washington, DC. We talked about the urgent need to cut spending and we all agreed NOT to cut Social Security and Medicare. pic.twitter.com/H1yhGVSkKx
— Rep. Dusty Johnson (@RepDustyJohnson) February 18, 2025
Senator Mike Rounds WEEKLY ROUND[S] UP: February 17-23, 2025
Welcome back to another edition of the Weekly Round[s] Up. We had another week full of meetings, hearings and votes – 32 of them, to be exact. And while voting is a big part of our job in the Senate, we typically don’t take that many in one week! This was due to a process we call a “vote-a-rama,” in which we vote on a series of amendments to our budget resolution before it passes. While it took staying until nearly 5:00 AM on Friday, the Senate managed to pass our budget resolution which accomplishes President Trump’s priorities for his administration. We also confirmed three more nominees to serve as members of President Trump’s team, making a total of 19 cabinet members confirmed. More in my Weekly Round[s] Up:
South Dakotans I met with: Representatives from the Manitou Group, which has equipment facilities in Madison and Yankton.
Other meetings: David Sampson, President and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association; Jakob Stausholm, CEO of Rio Tinto; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; Laurent Bili, France’s Ambassador to the United States; Bob Buddecke with Honeywell; and Bob Frenzel, CEO of Xcel Energy. I attended our Senate Prayer Breakfast, where Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was our speaker this week. I also attended a breakfast with the Senate National Guard Caucus where we were able to sit down with National Guard state Adjutants General from across the country.
Hearings: I had one closed hearing this past week in the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Classified briefings: I attended one classified briefing this past week related to my work on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Votes taken: 32 – we were able to confirm three more nominees for President Trump this past week: Howard Lutnick to lead the Department of Commerce, Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration and Kash Patel to lead the FBI.
As I mentioned, we also held a vote-a-rama on Thursday night into Friday morning. Two weeks ago, my colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee released our Senate version of a budget resolution. This legislation focuses on accomplishing President Trump’s priorities, including unleashing American energy, bolstering our national security and securing our border. Because this resolution isn’t able to be filibustered, Senate Democrats slowed down this legislation by debating on the Senate floor and offering amendments, which we voted on through the night for hours on end. Despite this process, we still passed the budget resolution, bringing us one step closer to accomplishing the President’s agenda.
Legislation introduced: I introduced legislation with my colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee which would ease burdens and shield small businesses from excessive legal red tape. The Protect Small Businesses from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025 would extend the filing deadline for businesses to report beneficial ownership information until January 1, 2026. Read more on this legislation here.
I also reintroduced the Postal Processing Protection Act, legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service to consider consequences for rural areas during its closure or downsizing review process in order to protect rural mail processing facilities. Read more about this legislation here.
My staff in South Dakota visited: Aberdeen.
Steps taken: 49,237 steps or 24.57 miles.
Video of the week: I joined Stuart Varney on Fox Business to discuss the reconciliation process:
Wonder why your homeowner and auto insurance always seems to go up? Caught an interesting article this morning on what we’re going to be facing for insurance at the next time of renewal. Expect your homeowner and auto rates to jump around 9%. But keep in mind, it could have been worse.
The U.S. property/casualty industry took another underwriting loss in 2024, but results improved thanks to rate increases and changes in risk selection.
A report from industry rating agency AM Best this week said U.S. P/C insurers posted an underwriting loss of $2.6 billion in 2024 – a large improvement over the underwriting loss of $24.6 billion recorded in 2023. The estimated combined ratio for 2024 was 98.9 compared to 101.9 for 2023.
and..
The personal lines segment will be a driver of expected improvement, AM Best said. In 2024, personal lines posted a net underwriting loss of $11.9 billion compared to a loss of $36.7 billion in 2023. Rate increases in auto and home insurance, the combined ratio for auto was 98.7 (from 104.9 in 2023) and homeowners was 105.7 (from 110.9 in 2023).
AM Best said personal lines premium increased 12.9% in 2024, and is projecting to increase 9% this year. “Insurers are focusing on achieving the rate increases necessary to address their calculated rate needs, particularly for the lines of coverage such as private passenger auto and homeowners multiperil,” the agency said, adding that insurers are “prepared to withdraw from a given state entirely if needed increases are not approved.”
The industry’s predictions on what auto claims would be in 2024 (98.7) helped offset being a little off on homeowner claims (105.7), with both numbers much closer to what they predicted than the prior year. The biggest thing for consumers of homeowner and auto insurance to be aware of is that insurers are “prepared to withdraw from a given state entirely if needed increases are not approved.” Basically, insurance companies aren’t afraid to withdraw from a market if they can’t charge enough for the risk they’re signing on to assume. That’s why people can be challenged to find homeowners insurance in California due to wildfire. And, massive hailstorms in western South Dakota don’t help our situation.
It’s literally a game of predictive modeling, trying to predict the unpredictable. When those ratios are around 100, they were spot on with what the predictions were, and that what they charged for insurance will cover the claims and costs. If not.. well, that’s when rates go up, or insurers pull out of the market entirely.
Just something to keep in mind the next time you get that insurance bill.
Unlike the House of Representatives who heard the Lock-up Librarians Act – House Bill 1239 – in House Education, upon receipt of the measure, the Senate has assigned the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee because, it has nothing to do with education, and everything to do with throwing librarians in jail for up to a year for a criminal act if there’s something in a book that someone objects to!
The bill will be before Senators Wheeler, Hulse, Blanc, Duhamel, Grove, Mehlhaff, and Pischke in the coming days, so please contact your state senators and encourage them to kill this idiotic bill that’s a massive overreach of government, and deliver a message that there are processes already in place to address the material, and we don’t need new laws to throw Librarians, teachers and museum workers in jail.
You can find their contacts here.
Ryan Gaddy, a Republican who unsuccessfully tried to run as Libertarian for PUC in 2014, and unsuccessfully tried to organize a decriminalization effort for marijuana in 2015, has allegedly threatened a legislator out in Idaho according to news reports:
Ryan Gaddy was arrested in the early hours of the morning and booked into Kootenai County Jail for making official and executive threats, pending a $250,000 bond.
And..
“Not sure how many 5 gallon gas cans I can fit in the car, but today could have very explosive results. Jordan Redman…this…is gonna be hilarious!” a post on Gaddy’s facebook said.
Gaddy was arrested in Shoshone County in late 2024 after a standoff with law enforcement according to the Coeur d’Alene Press.
That’s not terribly smart.
Gov. Rhoden Signs Pro-Second Amendment Bill into Law
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed SB 81, which prohibits the use of a firearms code for transactions involving firearms, accessories, components, and ammunition and to provide a civil penalty therefor.
“I am proud to protect our Second Amendment rights with the signing of this bill,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “South Dakota has seen strong growth of our firearm industry, and this bill will help that continue. I am grateful that both the bankers and the firearm industry came together on this issue.”
A private signing ceremony was held this morning and included representatives from South Dakota’s growing firearms industry, South Dakota’s banking industry, the National Rifle Association, and prime sponsors of the bill. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden signing SB 81 here.
Governor Rhoden has signed 35 bills into law this legislative session.
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Rounds, Cantwell, Johnson and Schrier Introduce Legislation to Remove Burdensome Regulations for Tribal Health Care
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) today reintroduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act, legislation to require the Indian Health Service (IHS) to reimburse tribal members for care sought outside of IHS in a timely manner.
The PRC program is used to supplement health care resources outside of IHS facilities for eligible tribal members. PRC funds are only available when a patient has no access to direct care at an IHS facility, including emergency care or specialty care. While PRC is a critical resource for tribal communities, many beneficiaries encounter a number of barriers when attempting to access care outside of IHS. This includes strict residency, notification and eligibility rules.
If a PRC claim is approved, IHS is expected to process the claim in a 30-day timeframe. While the Indian Health Care Improvement Act currently requires IHS to pay outside providers for approved PRC claims within 30 days, a previous analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services found that an estimated 32,000 claims over a two year period were not paid within this time frame. As such, payments to outside providers are often delayed, ultimately contributing to wrongfully-charged medical debt for tribal members.
“The Indian Health Service has made a commitment to care for tribal members across the United States, and they need to honor that commitment,” said Rounds. “Because of the strict standards for PRC claims, approved claims are few and far between. It’s crucial that IHS reimburses tribal members for outside care once it’s approved. I’m pleased to reintroduce this legislation, which would hold IHS accountable to make certain they get their work done and follow their mission of providing health care for tribal members.”
“This bill would help put an end to delays in medical cost reimbursements that have created serious financial hardships for Tribal members,” said Cantwell. “I have heard from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and many of its Tribal members that receive medical treatment at non-Tribal facilities rely on the Indian Health Service to reimburse for the cost of care — but when that doesn’t happen, Tribal members are then financially harmed to the point of some not wanting to seek care at all to avoid negative credit score impacts. To fix this, Senator Rounds and I are introducing the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act so Tribal patients don’t have to worry about being sent to debt collectors or losing points on their credit score while they wait for the federal government to reimburse their provider.”
This legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
“The Indian Health Service is not upholding the required service to Native American patients in the Purchased and Referred Care program, leaving financial debts to be paid by the patient that they do not owe,” said Johnson. “Our bill will right this wrong and ensure these bills are paid in full by IHS.”
“The damage caused by these unpaid, unprocessed claims can be devastating for members of our tribal communities – the outstanding debt and impact on their credit score are incredibly harmful to their financial future,” said Schrier. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to make commonsense, much-needed reforms to ensure tribal citizens can receive the care they need without fear of undue financial burdens.”
“The United States has a solemn obligation to provide healthcare under our Treaties, yet often falls short,” said J. Garret Renville, President of the Coalition of Large Tribes and Chairman of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. “Some of the most significant and broad scale failures occur with respect to timely and appropriate payment for Purchased and Referred Care. That creates wrongful and very detrimental tribal medical debt. This bill will reduce those burdens and protect tribal citizens’ access to care and our financial stability, consistent with our Treaty rights.”
“Senator Rounds’ bill will help tackle a problem that has plagued tribal health care patients and providers for too long: the timely reimbursement of claims by IHS for services purchased from and referred to providers outside the IHS,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “We thank Senator Rounds for his thoughtful leadership on this issue and for listening to the concerns of Tribes and tribal health care advocates about the need for IHS reform and oversight on this matter. Under no circumstance should a Native person be paying for approved Purchase and Referred Care. We look forward to working with the Senator to enact this bill this session.”
“For decades, the Colville Tribes and its members have endured severe obstacles to accessing critical health care due to the Indian Health Service’s management of the Purchased/Referred Care program,” said Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. “On the Colville Reservation, these management deficiencies have resulted in tribal members having their credit negatively impacted because of unpaid medical bills, fewer health providers, and even deaths. The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act will strengthen and clarify the Service’s obligations to inform health providers that tribal members should not be pursued for medical bills that the Service is legally obligated to pay.”
Specifically, the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act would:
· Require IHS to develop procedures to reimburse beneficiaries for approved PRC services within 30 days, if the patient paid out of pocket.
· Allow a beneficiary to submit documentation to the agency as evidence when seeking reimbursement.
· Strengthen liability provisions of the statute, making it clear that outside providers cannot collect wrongfully charged debt from beneficiaries with approved PRC claims.
Click HERE for full bill text.
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Johnson Strengthens Work Requirements for SNAP
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) re-introduced his America Works Act to reinforce work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Federal law requires ABAWDs younger than 55 years old to participate in work, training, or education for 20 hours a week. However, several states have identified loopholes to not enforce work requirements. Johnson introduced similar legislation last Congress.
“Work is a powerful pathway out of poverty,” said Johnson. “Time and time again, work requirements for able-bodied adults have proven to be effective. My bill makes improvements, including closing loopholes some states use to game the system.”
“The power of work is transformative, enabling Americans to achieve independence and thrive,” said Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability. “Rep. Johnson’s America Works Act ensures able-bodied adults on food stamps move from dependence to self-sufficiency, strengthening families, communities, and our economy.”
The America Works Act of 2025 would:
The America Works Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Warren Davidson (R-OH).
Read full bill text here.
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I had someone send this over to me to my great amusement.
Apparently Tara Volesky is getting ready to hop in the Doeden dumpster to give him her support in what ever he’s doing:
Volesky, who at one time was the campaign “manager” for the Independent gubernatorial ticket of Mike Myers/Lora Hubbel, is also known for running for mayor of Mitchell and dumping chemicals in Lake Mitchell because she knew how to cure the algae problem!
You just can’t make this stuff up.
SB 54: Tobacco fund cuts are a bad way to balance a budget
by Dr. Allen Nord
Tobacco use is a grave public health threat, perhaps the worst you or somebody you love might ever face.
Tobacco use causes dire consequences, increasing risk for 12 types of cancer. Smokers, on average, die 10 years earlier than those who never have done so.
This has been known publicly for decades.
But apparently not to outgoing Gov. Kristi Noem proposed in her last budget for our state that we should raid funds from South Dakota’s tobacco education and cessation efforts while growing the general fund to the tune of $3 million in taxpayer money. It is now moving through the process as Senate Bill 54, is through the Senate and is now in House Appropriations. It could be a reality in the very near future.
One of the most important tools in the prolonged fight against tobacco is education about its dangers. This is especially true to our youth, who are particularly susceptible to the constant marketing of corporate tobacco companies who make great efforts to present their products as fun and even safe.
As a longtime South Dakota physician, now retired, I saw way too many of my patients suffer needlessly from smoking, which remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Here in South Dakota, 1,300 die each year from smoking, with nearly 30% of cancer deaths chalked up directly to Big Tobacco.
The Centers for Disease Control points out that “cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general.”
Heated tobacco products have been shown to contain more than 20 toxic chemicals, including many that can cause cancer. Nicotine use, regardless of form, is bad for your health, dangerous and addictive. This occurs with cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, chewing tobacco, vaping and e-cigarettes.
And since none of this is new information, 60% of South Dakota voters approved Initiative 2 in 2006. It is a tax on tobacco products that has served the state well in many ways beyond the public health sphere:
This tax has not been increased in 18 years.
The proposal to reduce that amount to $2 million annually is a 60% reduction in the investment to keep our state clean of tobacco, but it’s worse than that. The state is already badly outspent in the battle for our next generation’s health and corporate tobacco needs no help reeling in our kids or killing our loved ones.
More than 16% of South Dakota high school students use tobacco products regularly, well more than the national average and higher than the state’s adult average of 14%. With reduced education and cessation investment, there is little doubt that both of those number will increase and corporate tobacco’s investment will serve it well in the form of significant profits at the expense of South Dakotans’ health.
Further, redirection of these needed funds is nothing short of abandoning our youth when there is a clear and present danger disguised in fruit flavors and slick marketing put forth by an opponent who certainly doesn’t care about deceptive tactics in its attempts to sustain its corporate profits.
South Dakota physicians have a duty to speak out on issues so clearly problematic to public health. South Dakota lawmakers have an obligation to do right by the future of this state. Keeping those funds in place is the right thing to do.
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Allen E Nord, MD, is past president of the South Dakota Tobacco-Free Kids Network and lives in Rapid City.