Attorney General Jackley Statement On Passing of Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges
PIERRE, S.D. – “The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office is saddened to hear of the passing of Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges. Sheriff Limoges was a law enforcement officer for almost 40 years, and Union County Sheriff for more than 30. He was a strong public servant who was dedicated to his county and his profession. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and agency during this time.
Gov. Noem Signs Bills to Promote Public Health into Law
PIERRE, S.D. – Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed five bills to promote public health into law.
“These bills will keep South Dakotans safe and healthy,” said Governor Noem. “When xylazine, otherwise known as the ‘zombie’ drug, is mixed with fentanyl, it makes an already deadly drug even deadlier, and it brings with it a whole host of negative health consequences. I am proud to sign legislation that keeps our healthcare professions fair and protects people from deadly drugs.”
Governor Noem held signing ceremonies for SB 87, which revises provisions related to the State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and its appointed professional councils (photo) and HB 1028, which classifies xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance, establish permissible uses (photo).
Governor Noem also signed the following three public health bills into law:
HB 1012 adopts the interstate counseling licensure compact and revise educational requirements to comply with the compact;
HB 1017 adopts the psychology interjurisdictional licensure compact; and,
HB 1024 requires that an application for a medical marijuana registry identification card include a notice of federal law regarding firearms and the unlawful use of a controlled substance.
Governor Noem also held a bill signing reenactment for two compact bills that she has already signed into law this legislative session. She held this ceremony for HB 1013, which adopts the advanced practice registered nurse compact, and HB 1015, which adopts the social work licensure compact. Photos from the bill signing reenactment ceremonies can be found here and here.
Governor Noem has signed 58 bills into law this legislative session.
Rounds, Cantwell Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold IHS Accountable to 30-Day Timeline for Outside Care Reimbursements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation to require the Indian Health Service (IHS) to reimburse tribal members for care sought outside of IHS in a timely manner. This would prevent outside providers from burdening tribal members with wrongfully charged medical debt, which is incurred when IHS doesn’t reimburse tribal members for Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) claims in a reasonable timeframe.
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 supposed 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 2020 analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services found that an estimated 32,000 claims over a 2 year period were not paid within this time frame. As such, payments to outside providers are often delayed, ultimately contributing to 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. As such, it’s crucial that IHS reimburses tribal members for outside care once it’s approved. I’m pleased to introduce 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.”
The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act is cosponsored by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).
“Tribal members shouldn’t have to continue to pay the price for IHS’s mismanagement and the administrative failures of the PRC program,” said Thune. “This legislation would help hold IHS accountable to the tribal members they serve by requiring timely reimbursement of approved outside care.”
“It’s plain unfair for Tribal members’ credit scores to suffer simply because IHS is late reimbursing providers for care—these inefficiencies are no fault of the Tribal members who are seeing their credit dinged,” said Murray. “This legislation is a much-needed fix to an issue affecting the credit of Tribal members in Washington state and I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing it.”
“Our legislation would help ensure that tribal members receive reimbursements for approved outside health care services in a timely manner,” said Hoeven. “This is all about improving health care and ensuring that IHS upholds its commitment to provide timely and quality care in our tribal communities.”
SUPPORTING QUOTES:
“It is important for the Indian Health Service to handle approved Purchased and Referred Care claims in a timely manner,” said Scott Herman, President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “We thank Senator Rounds for introducing this legislation that will provide additional protections for IHS beneficiaries.”
“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,” saidFrank 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.”
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.
Now that he doesn’t have to trouble himself with trying to run as a Republican anymore, what’s the latest from our self-anointed savior, “Toby Doeden for South Dakota?” His latest declaration is that “Our Gov’t prints/creates trillions of dollars in 3 years and uses much of it to bribe the masses into compliance in an attempt to maintain power.”
I mean, damn.. what could be worse than the masses being bribed into compliance with government money?
I’m sure Toby is going to get right out there and give taxpayers back that $1.15 million of the forgiven coronavirus loan he got from the Paycheck Protection Program.
Gov. Noem Announces District 35 Legislative Appointment
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem appointed Mike Walsh to represent District 35 in the South Dakota Senate, effective immediately.
“I am excited to appoint Mike to this role,” said Governor Noem. “He has a well-rounded background in public service, and I am confident he will be able to address South Dakota’s most important issues as District 35’s new Senator.”
Walsh has years of experience in both law enforcement and the United States Marine Corps. He is also a small business owner who understands the challenges of creating a successful enterprise, providing a strong work product, and supporting employees.
“Throughout my professional life, I have been inspired by a belief that government exists solely to benefit the lives of citizens. I bring to this role a well-rounded background in public service, including years of experience in both law enforcement and the United States Marine Corps, my chairmanship of a regional nonprofit, and relationships with local government,” said Walsh. “Thank you, Governor Noem, for the opportunity to build on this experience to serve and benefit the citizens of District 35 and all South Dakotans.”
Walsh has been a state and national leader in the Fraternal Order of Police and has volunteered as a Key Spouse at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He also used his leadership skills to mentor and aid a struggling South Dakota combat veteran who served multiple tours in Afghanistan. His broad understanding of people’s concerns, hopes, and future goals will do him well in the South Dakota Legislature.
First ‘Med Ed’ Billin the Nation Receives Bi-Partisan Committee Passage States Should Look to SD inDispelling Abortion Industry Misinformation
Pierre, S.D.– A bill that would provide clarity to doctors on the state’s ‘life of the mother’ provision cleared its first hurdle today with a bipartisan 11-1 vote in the House State Affairs Committee. Sponsored by Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt (R), Rep. Joh Hansen (R), and Rep. Oren Lesmeister (D), HB 1224 creates a training video and materials to educate doctors and hospitals throughout the state on the ability and necessity of providing emergency care to pregnant women under South Dakota’s life at conception law.
The materials will be established through the Department of Health and with input from the attorney general, medical professionals and legal experts. The video will cover the details of the state’s abortion law, the most common medical conditions that threaten the life or health of a pregnant woman, the standards of care for treating a pregnant woman in a medical emergency, and a practitioner’s ability to use reasonable medical judgment in all situations.
Kelsey Pritchard, state public affairs director for SBA Pro-Life America, thanked Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt for bringing the legislation:
“Abortion activists have spread the dangerous lie that pregnant women in states with pro-life laws cannot receive emergency care. This patently false allegation that is used to justify the abortion industry’s agenda for no limits on abortion is putting women’s lives in danger. As a South Dakota mom, I thank Rep. Rehfeldt and the cosponsors of this bill for making the truth that pregnant women can and should receive timely care abundantly clear for doctors and people across this state. The South Dakota Med Ed Bill is a model for how states around the country should protect the health of moms.”
The South Dakota Med Ed Bill is the first legislation of its kind drafted to end the confusion caused by the abortion industry through direct education to medical professionals. Other states have taken similar steps administratively: The Louisiana Health Department put out guidance on their life of the mother provision and Oklahoma and Kentucky attorneys general issued advisory opinions.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
Johnson’s Office Now Accepting Summer 2024 Internship Applications
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced that his office is seeking internship applicants for the summer in his Washington, D.C., Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls offices.
Duties of a congressional intern will include researching legislation, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, handling constituent phone calls, sorting mail, and providing support to the staff and the Congressman. Interns will work closely with staff while developing their research, writing, and communications skills. Most importantly, they will gain an in-depth understanding of the federal legislative branch while helping to serve South Dakota constituents.
Applicants interested in federal tribal relations or Native American issues are encouraged to apply for the Ben Reifel Internship based in the Washington, D.C. office. The ideal candidate would intern for a minimum of six weeks and have a desire to serve South Dakota’s tribal communities.
“Our interns get to work in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment,” said Johnson. “Serving as a congressional intern is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that sets individuals up for success, regardless of their career path.”
Interested applicants should complete the online internship application no later than March 3, 2024. More information about the internship program, along with the application, can be found online. Resumes should be submitted at dustyjohnson.house.gov/services/internships.
It has been a wild weekend (as if you didn’t know that), but I wanted to make sure that we introduced our newer advertisers at Dakotawarcollege.com, to note that there are upcoming advertising opportunities, as well as to thank our advertisers. and to encourage you to visit their websites.
South Dakota Ag Alliance is a newer organization fighting to support landowner rights along with reasonable ag and rural development. The South Dakota Academy of Opthalmology is asking for your attention to support a no vote on House Bill 1099, and the South Dakota Optometric Society is asking for your support for legislators to pass House Bill 1099. Please click on their ads and visit their websites to find out what these groups and their positions are about.
Of course, we strongly encourage you to check out them, and our other advertisers such as; the fine folks at Summit Carbon Solutions supporting the ethanol and biofuel industries in South Dakota. “America’s Governor,” and South Dakota’s chief executive Governor Kristi Noem, #2 Republican in the US Senate and our friend South Dakota Senator John Thune, and our undisputed and undefeatedCongressman Dusty Johnson, along with Republican United States Senator Mike Rounds.
Please also support Chairman John Wiik and the South Dakota Republican Party’s leadership, as they try to navigate the rocky waters of our time. Chairman Wiik has a challenging job, and as we know all too well, it’s not an easy one to try to recruit candidates and win elections in an environment when you’re fighting those from without and those from within.
Of course, at Dakota Campaign Store, down on the right, you’ll find me already busy in 2024 with yard signs, postcards, and all the things a professional campaign needs to make an impression.
Interested in advertising? There are limited advertising opportunities left for reaching South Dakota’s opinion leaders as we head forward into the 2024 campaign season. Advertising on the Dakotwarcollege.com website is based on a first come, first serve basis for available positions.
