Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Thune Joins Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Access, Make Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities Available During COVID-19 Pandemic

Telehealth use among Medicare beneficiaries increased by 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic; CONNECT For Health Act holds broad bipartisan support, most comprehensive legislation on telehealth in Congress

WASHINGTON —U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) this week joined Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in leading a bipartisan group of 50 senators to reintroduce the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021. The CONNECT for Health Act will expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make permanent COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities, improve health outcomes, and make it easier for patients to safely connect with their doctors.

“South Dakotans were utilizing telehealth services long before the pandemic, and they understand the value and increased access it brings,” said Thune. “We’ve learned plenty from the pandemic, and it’s now all the more clear how important it is to continue to expand access to telehealth. I appreciate the opportunity to work with my colleagues and stakeholders on this important bill that will make it easier for patients to use telehealth.”

“The last year has shown us that telehealth works, it’s popular, and it’s here to stay,” said Schatz. “Our comprehensive bill makes it easier for more people to safely get the care they need no matter where they live.”

“Telehealth is enabling more people to receive the care they need, leading to improved outcomes and lower costs,” said Wicker. “This bipartisan legislation would build on the success of telehealth in states like Mississippi to eliminate existing barriers and expand access to lifesaving care for more Americans.”

Three provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act were included in COVID-19 relief legislation to expand access to telehealth during the pandemic. As a result, telehealth has seen a sharp rise in use since the start of pandemic as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other health care settings and instead receive care at home. Data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by about 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated telehealth’s utility in delivering essential care. As we look beyond the pandemic, it is clear that telehealth will be a crucial tool in addressing health disparities for populations with diminished access to care,” said Cardin. “I’m proud to continue partnering with my colleagues on this bipartisan bill that will increase the availability of telehealth and help deliver better health care to Americans in every part of Maryland and across the country.”

“If we’ve learned anything in the past 14 months, it’s that people are better off when they’re able to see a doctor quickly, easily, and from the comfort of home. This is particularly the case for folks in rural or medically underserved communities, who may otherwise have to travel long distances to get basic medical services,” said Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which will enable Virginians to make the most of telehealth capabilities and access the quality and affordable health care they need as soon as they need it.”

“The past year has highlighted the value of telehealth, and those benefits will increase with rapidly advancing technology,” said Hyde-Smith. “This legislation would help ensure Mississippians and Americans can continue to rely on telehealth services for easier access to affordable, quality care, even after the pandemic ends.”

In addition to Senators Schatz, Wicker, Cardin, Thune, Warner, and Hyde-Smith, the CONNECT for Health is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

The CONNECT for Health Act was first introduced in 2016 and is considered the most comprehensive legislation on telehealth in Congress. Since 2016, several provisions of the bill were enacted into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including provisions to remove restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, and home dialysis.

The updated version of the CONNECT for Health Act builds on that progress and includes new and revised provisions that will help more people access telehealth services. Specifically, the legislation will:

• Permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites;
• Allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services, a provision currently in place due to the pandemic but on a temporary basis;
• Provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the permanent authority to waive telehealth restrictions, a provision currently in place due to the pandemic but on a temporary basis;
• Allow for the waiver of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies; and
• Require a study to learn more about how telehealth has been used during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.).

The CONNECT for Health Act has the support of more than 150 organizations including AARP, America’s Essential Hospitals, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Hospital Association, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Group Association, American Nurses Association, American Telemedicine Association, Children’s National Hospital, eHealth Initiative, Federation of American Hospitals, Health Innovation Alliance, HIMSS, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Rural Health Association, Personal Connected Health Alliance, and Teladoc Health.

“Our thanks go to longstanding telehealth champions Sen. Schatz, Sen. Wicker, and the 50 co-sponsors of this bipartisan bill, for their continued efforts to make access to telehealth a permanent part of care delivery in our country,” said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). “By ensuring Medicare beneficiaries do not lose access to telehealth after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, the CONNECT ACT protects seniors from the telehealth cliff. The ATA remains committed to working with Congress to advance swift, comprehensive policy that will explicitly ensure that everyone has access to safe, effective, and appropriate care when and where they need it, no matter where they live.”

“Federal action to expand telehealth services during the pandemic has been a lifeline that helped keep patients connected to care and allowed health centers to keep their doors open,” said Tom Van Coverden, president and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “For patients on Medicare, especially people living in rural areas, without access to smart phones or reliable broadband, expanded telehealth flexibilities are essential to health and wellness.  We cannot reverse progress, especially now.  The CONNECT for Health Act ensures health centers can permanently extend these services for our Medicare population and the underserved. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of Senators Brian Schatz and Roger Wicker, as well as their colleagues on the Senate telehealth working group, in advancing this important legislation.”

A summary of the bill and the full list of endorsing organizations are available here.

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Rounds Statement on the President’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress:

“President Biden continues to talk about bipartisanship but his actions in the first 100 days reflect a more partisan agenda. His $6 trillion spending proposals reflect a far-left approach to growing government and increasing regulations. In particular, his infrastructure proposal is long on unsustainable social welfare spending and short on real infrastructure. Republicans look forward to working with the president if he decides he wants to find common ground on a significant infrastructure development plan that allows for local input.

I am disappointed in President Biden’s continued attack on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens as well as his lack of support for the law enforcement community. Republicans will continue to offer solutions for criminal justice reform that still provides protections for our society from those who would do us harm.

I agree with the president’s “Buy American” approach, specifically when it comes to the livestock industry. The Department of Agriculture should change their existing rules that do not help our producers compete with foreign imports of beef. Additionally, I was pleased to see the president also focus on finding specific cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s and other significant health threats.”

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Johnson Supports Resuming Construction of Southern Border Wall

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) is an original cosponsor of the Finish the Wall Act with Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), which would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to immediately resume construction of the southern border wall. According to a recent report, apprehensions at the U.S.–Mexico border reached a 15-year high in March, with Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agents taking more than 171,000 migrants into custody.

Under the previous administration, illegal border crossings hit record lows. But illegal crossings at the border have reached unprecedented levels following the Biden Administration’s halt of border wall construction, the Migrant Protection Protocols or the “remain-in-Mexico” policy, and the reestablishment of catch-and-release policies.

“Both sides can fundamentally disagree on how we solve the crisis at the border, but the data is clear, and many of the Trump Administration’s policies at the border worked to mitigate the smaller surge we saw in 2019,” said Johnson. “President Biden signaled that America’s borders were open for business – and look where it’s gotten us.

“While our southern border is in disarray, the Biden Administration halted appropriated funds for construction projects that worked towards securing our border. Congress already approved this funding, and this ongoing crisis has proven there is no reason to further delay – it’s time to resume construction.”

In 2019, Johnson worked to secure funding for border security amid a government shutdown. Additionally, Johnson traveled to the southern border in April 2019 to witness obstacles faced by CBP firsthand. Shortly after his visit, he worked with the Problem Solvers Caucus to secure funding for border security, humanitarian efforts, and increased hiring for CBP officers.

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From the Duluth News, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is apparently going to make it MyCornPalace for a day, as he launches his new social media platform:

Thune Responds to President Biden’s Joint Session Address

“For the sake of South Dakota and the United States, I sincerely hope the president reverses course. The challenges we face as a nation are too great to go it alone.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement in response to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress:

“The past year has challenged Americans as our country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and recover from the economic crisis it caused. I believe our brightest days lie ahead – but only if we work together.

“President Biden tonight echoed themes of bipartisanship and unity from his inaugural address, but South Dakotans can clearly see the difference between talk and action. While the president is quick to talk about bipartisanship, he has yet to meaningfully work with Republicans and has given cover to the far-left wing of his party as it works to undermine the Supreme Court, the Second Amendment, and even the very nature of the Senate designed by our Founding Fathers. One of his first acts as president was caving to the extremist left wing of his party at South Dakota’s expense by cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline and killing thousands of good-paying jobs.

“With a 50-50 split in the Senate and one of the slimmest majorities in the House of Representatives in modern history, the president must realize he does not have a mandate for his partisan, big-spending policies. If President Biden sincerely wants to work with congressional Republicans to fix our nation’s infrastructure and create a greater quality of life for every American, he will not find a more willing partner than me. But if the president continues to pursue a costly and one-sided agenda, he can expect fierce opposition from Republicans in Congress.

“On the eve of his 100th day in office, it’s time for President Biden to choose whether the rest of his presidency will be defined by the rank partisanship seen in his first 100 days or if he will live by the words of his inaugural address.

“For the sake of South Dakota and the United States, I sincerely hope the president reverses course. The challenges we face as a nation are too great to go it alone.”

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Johnson Statement Following Biden’s Address to Congress

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) issued a statement following President Biden’s first joint address to the U.S. Congress:

“Tonight, President Biden said: ‘We can’t be so busy competing with one another that we forget the competition we have with the rest of the world.’ He went on to introduce proposals that will cost the American taxpayer trillions. Investment in our children and infrastructure don’t need to be partisan. President Biden, if you’re serious about working together, if you’re serious about passing bipartisan legislation, your proposals can’t all start with a “T.” Let’s get serious on prescription drug pricing, infrastructure, and job creation.”

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Thune: President Biden’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“What matters the most is not what the president will say tonight, but what he will do in the days and weeks to come.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his strong disappointment in the lack of bipartisan cooperation in the first 100 days of the Biden administration ahead of President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening. Thune stressed that what matters most is not what the president says tonight, but his actions in the days and weeks to come.

Thune, Rounds Condemn Biden Administration’s Radical 30 by 30 Directive

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to express concern with the directive in President Biden’s climate change executive order to conserve 30 percent of land and waters by 2030 (30 by 30). The senators strongly urged the secretaries to consider farmers and ranchers as they develop environmental policy.

“We urge the administration to refrain from using the 30 by 30 directive as a means to pursue additional federal land acquisitions,” the senators wrote. “In addition, the 30 by 30 directive should not be used to advance undue restrictions on the use of private land. A multiple-use approach to the management of our public lands benefits agriculture, outdoor recreational sports, wildlife enthusiasts, and natural resource development. This approach also plays an important role in creating jobs and supporting local economies.”

Full text of the letter below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Haaland,

We write to express concern with the directive in President Biden’s January 27, 2021, climate change executive order (E.O. 14008) to identify strategies to conserve at least 30 percent of our land and waters by 2030, commonly referred to as 30 by 30.

The federal government already possesses approximately 640 million acres of the land in the United States.  Unfortunately, there is a significant maintenance backlog on this federal land.  Given this reality, acquiring additional federal land would be concerning to us and many of our constituents.  With relatively few details about how this proposal would be achieved, additional concerns have been raised about the potential for onerous regulations and land use restrictions as a possible strategy.  Such a proposal would have a devastating effect on private landowners.

We urge the administration to refrain from using the 30 by 30 directive as a means to pursue additional federal land acquisitions.  In addition, the 30 by 30 directive should not be used to advance undue restrictions on the use of private land.  A multiple-use approach to the management of our public lands benefits agriculture, outdoor recreational sports, wildlife enthusiasts, and natural resource development.  This approach also plays an important role in creating jobs and supporting local economies.

Farmers and ranchers work every day to be good stewards of their land.  Instead of pursuing federal land acquisitions and burdensome regulations, the administration should prioritize the targeted implementation of existing voluntary conservation programs, like the Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Conservation Stewardship Program, to help address natural resource concerns.  These programs play a critical role in improving wildlife habitat and water quality, building soil health, and sequestering carbon.

As you work to provide recommendations on climate focused initiatives, we would urge you to keep rural America and farmers at the front of your mind.  Our policy should help, not hinder, those who feed the world.  Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

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Thune: Democrats’ Tax Hikes Would Crush Economic Recovery and Punish Working Americans  

“These tax hikes may help Democrats usher in aspects of the socialist fantasy they’ve been envisioning. But they will do nothing to help American families gain financial stability and secure good jobs and lasting, rewarding careers.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke out against President Biden’s proposed tax hikes, which would be detrimental to the American economy as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thune warned that Democrats’ tax increases would cause working Americans to suffer the most and put American businesses at a disadvantage on the world stage.

It’s been a slow couple of days in South Dakota politics, so I can take a moment and ask if you remember a week or so ago back when the goofballs who run the “Primary John Thune in 2022” facebook page claimed they had a big announcement?

Of course you didn’t remember. And it appears they’ve forgotten as well, because ever since their members have spent most of their time posting memes.

But there were big things afoot! We did get one of the candidates in their stable posting an overly long bio about spending time overseas…

And the group did make the ‘big’ announcement of another facebook forum with their other candidate, Bruce Whalen, to be held in their private group:

Try to contain your excitement for those big announcements.

I did notice on one of the alternative social media forums (Gab) that the Anti-Thune-ers do bring up an important point for those wanting to participate in the primary process:

“In order to vote in the Primary for the Republican candidates… you have to be in the party” Now if someone would pass the same advice along to their candidates who want to run (as captured yesterday from the Secretary of State’s website, and re-confirmed a minute ago):

Maybe someone should mention to the anti-Thune looney tunes that their “Republican primary candidate” is a registered Independent who continues to be ineligible to actually run in the Republican primary.

Details.. details..

Keep your hats on – Just a little more than 13 months until the primary!