Noem’s Human Trafficking Provision Passes U.S. House

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Noem’s Human Trafficking Provision Passes U.S. House

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem’s bipartisan Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act was passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Human trafficking is happening in our backyard and we must address it,” said Rep. Noem.  “The legislation passed today targets trafficking from multiple angles.  First, I’m hopeful my bill will give caregivers, state law enforcement officers, and others the tools they need to prevent trafficking in our communities.  And when prevention efforts fail, my hope is that this legislation gives us more information about how to intervene while also diverting critical resources to creating safe places for survivors to escape to.”

The bipartisan Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act (H.R.350) would launch a review to look into federal and state trafficking prevention activities.  This will help us identify best practices to stop human trafficking.  It also requires an inventory of existing federal anti-trafficking efforts to make sure all federal agencies and programs work together and that federal resources are being targeted where needed.  Finally, the legislation improves an existing Department of Justice grant, ensuring that the grant is open to shelters and facilities looking to provide housing for survivors.

This legislation was first introduced by Rep. Noem in the 113th Congress to help give shelters, law enforcement officers, and caregivers more resources to address the human trafficking crisis.  While the legislation passed the House late last year, the Senate failed to consider the legislation.  Rep. Noem reintroduced the legislation at the beginning of this Congress with California Democrat Rep. Doris Matsui.

Noem, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Urging Administration to Provide Crucial Funding for Lewis and Clark Water System

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Noem, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Urging Administration to Provide Crucial Funding for Lewis and Clark Water System

kristi noem headshot May 21 2014Congress recently approved an additional $31 million for work on authorized Bureau of Reclamation water projects; in a letter to Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, the lawmakers pressed for strong funding to advance construction on the Lewis and Clark project

When completed, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System will cover a service territory of more than 5,000 square miles and provide drinking water to 300,000 residents and businesses in southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today led a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers urging the Administration to provide crucial funding for the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System (LCRWS). Congress recently approved an additional $31 million for work on authorized Bureau of Reclamation water projects. In a letter to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, the lawmakers pressed for strong funding to advance construction on the Lewis and Clark project. When completed, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System will cover a service territory of more than 5,000 square miles and provide drinking water to 300,000 residents and businesses in southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota. The letter was led by Klobuchar and Noem and co-signed by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), Charles Grassley (R-IA), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) as well as Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Steve King (R-IA).

“The Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Congress provided the Bureau of Reclamation with an additional $31 million for ongoing work on authorized rural water projects,” the lawmakers wrote. “As you consider how to allocate the funding for ongoing projects, we request that you give full consideration to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System project to advance construction in a meaningful way. We look forward to working with you until the Lewis and Clark project is complete and the federal government has fulfilled its commitment.”

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is below:

Dear Commissioner López:

Congratulations on your appointment as Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.  We look forward to working with you to fulfill the Bureau of Reclamation’s mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

The Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus Appropriations Bill provided the Bureau of Reclamation with an additional $31 million for ongoing work on authorized rural water projects.  Authorized rural water projects within the Bureau of Reclamation play a key role in providing reliable, quality drinking water to communities in our states.  One such project is the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System (LCRWS).  When complete, it will cover a service territory of more than 5,000 square miles.  As you consider how to allocate the funding for ongoing projects, we request that you give full consideration to the LCRWS project to advance construction in a meaningful way.

In 2000, Congress authorized LCRWS to supply high quality, dependable drinking water to more than 300,000 residents and businesses in southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota.  The Lewis and Clark project is currently 65 percent complete and has seen significant investment at the local, state, and federal level, allowing for the construction of intake wells, a water treatment plant, pumping stations, and pipelines that now connect 11 of the 20 member systems.  Local project sponsors and the three states have collectively pre-paid 100% of the non-federal cost share of $154 million.  The remaining federal cost share to finish the entire project is just over $200 million.

Rural water projects generate both short-term and long-term economic activity and expand economic development opportunities. The member communities awaiting connection to LCRWS have shown the ability to attract economic development if sufficient water supply is made available through the project.  For example, in Worthington, Minnesota, a large pork processing plant needs a reliable water supply before it can expand its operations.  In Madison, South Dakota the lack of water is preventing the community from taking advantage of the new businesses and industries interested in moving to the community. In Hull, Iowa a dairy plant is ready to expand when sufficient water is available.  These are just a few examples of many demonstrating the potential for economic growth with proper investment in LCRWS.  As you evaluate how to allocate funding, we urge you to consider the ability of LCRWS to utilize funds to effectively promote economic development and jobs in communities in our states.

We look forward to working with you until the Lewis and Clark project is complete and the federal government has fulfilled its commitment. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Moran, Tester, Thune Introduce Bill to Preserve Rural Therapy Care

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Moran, Tester, Thune Introduce Bill to Preserve Rural Therapy Care
-PARTS Act would protect rural Americans’ access to important health services-

John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) – members of the Senate Rural Health Caucus – today introduced S. 257, the Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services (PARTS) Act. The legislation would ensure rural and other patients have access to a full range of outpatient therapeutic services in hospitals in their own communities. The senators introduced the PARTS Act last Congress (S. 1143).

“Requiring supervising physicians to be present for some outpatient therapy services places an unnecessary strain on the already overextended staff of rural health care facilities,” said Sen. Thune. “Further, this CMS requirement can place extraordinary demands on physicians, and it is these kinds of regulations that keep physician recruitment to rural areas challenging. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to move our common-sense legislation forward, ensuring we provide rural health care facilities in states like South Dakota with the flexibility needed to continue to deliver quality outpatient therapy services without being subjected to budget-busting workforce regulations.”

“Rural hospitals need reasonable flexibility to appropriately staff their facilities so they can provide a full range of services to their communities,” Sen. Moran said. “Many hospitals find the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ direct supervision requirements impossible to meet, which jeopardizes access to this important care. The PARTS Act would preserve patient safety and oversight while easing unreasonable supervision requirements for therapy care. This bill is crafted to make certain federal regulations reflect the realities of rural health care and address this issue on a permanent basis.”

“Rural families face unique health care hardships and they deserve access to quality care without being forced to travel long distances,” Sen. Tester said. “This bill removes burdens for rural patients, provides Critical Access Hospitals certainty, and upholds the standard of health care that rural Americans expect.”

“Outpatient therapeutic services” include services such as pulmonary rehabilitation, certain behavior health assessments and counseling, demonstration/evaluating the use of an inhaler or nebulizer, and certain casting/splinting procedures. Hospital outpatient therapeutic services have always been administered by licensed, skilled professionals under the overall direction of a physician. However, in 2009 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) abruptly shifted policy to require that outpatient therapeutic services must be furnished under the “direct supervision” of a physician who is required to be physically present in the department at all times that Medicare beneficiaries receives these services. While CMS subsequently revised its standard to also permit direct supervision by certain qualified non-physician practitioners (NPPs), the agency still requires the physical presence of the supervising professional by mandating the supervisor be “immediately available” at all times these services are provided to beneficiaries.

While the need for this “direct supervision” is recognized for certain high risk, complex outpatient services, CMS’ policy often applies to even low risk services, such as some medication injections and minor wound debridement. For many years, these procedures have been safely administered in hospital outpatient departments under “general supervision,” a standard that permits services to be furnished under the general oversight and control of a supervising practitioner without requiring his or her physical presence. In fact, in December 2014 President Obama signed into law H.R. 4067 – legislation unanimously passed by Congress – that suspended enforcement of this CMS regulation on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small rural hospitals in 2014.

The PARTS Act would:

  • Require CMS to allow a default setting of general supervision, rather than direct supervision, for outpatient therapeutic services;
  • Create an advisory panel to establish an exceptions process for risky and complex outpatient services;
  • Create a special rule for CAHs that recognizes their unique size and Medicare conditions of participation; and
  • Hold hospitals and CAHs harmless from civil or criminal action for failing to meet CMS’ current direct supervision policy for the period 2001 through 2016.

Click here to read the text of the bill.

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Bosworth trial delayed. Time for more letters?

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The Bosworth Trial will be delayed until May? NOOOOOOOO!

Good gosh, we’re going to be treated to another dozen letters, and three times as many missives from Gordon Howie how she should be let off.

From Tony Mangan at Today’s KCCR News:

Sioux Falls physician Annette Bosworth was scheduled to stand trial starting Monday in Hughes County Circuit Court. That trial has now been rescheduled for May 18-22.

Bosworth was a candidate in June Republican U.S. Senate primary. After the election, she was  indicted by a grand jury in June for six counts of offering false or forged instrument for filing and six counts of perjury.  The charges carry a maximum punishment of 24 years in prison and $48,000 in fines. 

Read it all here.

Where does common core fit into the puzzle brought by House Bill 1101? And could evolution be shown the door?

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House Bill 1101 was introduced this week explicitly noting that the State Board of Education has no ability to require the use of a specifically designated curriculum.  And from a reading of the language, I have to wonder where people’s concerns over the common core curriculum fits into the puzzle, based on this legislation:

HOUSE BILL NO. 1101

Introduced by: Representatives Sly and Partridge and Senators Rampelberg and Tieszen

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to ensure local control over curriculum and methods of instruction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

Section 1. That § 13-1-12.1 be amended to read as follows:
13-1-12.1. The South Dakota Board of Education shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to establish standards for the classification and accreditation of schools within this state, to establish standards for preparation of certified personnel, to set forth procedures for determining the eligibility of school districts to receive state foundation aid effective January 1, 1997, to adopt policies and rules necessary to establish standards and procedures for career and technical education and to establish curriculum requirements for a recommended high school program for all public and nonpublic schools within the state. The recommended high school program shall include a rigorous high school curriculum in both academic and career and technical courses. The requirements of the recommended program shall be aligned to the academic content standards developed pursuant to § 13-3-48 and shall, at a minimum, include the content standards tested pursuant to § 13-3-55.

    Nothing in this section authorizes the board to require the use of specifically designated curriculum or methods of instruction.

Follow the legislation here.

The addition to the law is the underlined section, noting “Nothing in this section authorizes the board to require the use of specifically designated curriculum or methods of instruction.”  But does it prevent it, if the school chooses to implement it?

And I have to speculate… if the State Board of Ed is unable to require the use of specifically designated curriculum, or methods of instruction, to what degree would school boards then have the ability to locally determine what is taught?

Could a local school board choose do adopt a science curriculum of creationism supplanting the teaching of evolution in the science classroom?

Congrats to Mrs. War College regarding Senate Commemoration 3

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My long suffering wife, (greeted by some as Mrs War College) is the recipient of a nice honor from the South Dakota State Legislature for her work in Special Education as part of a group of State School Administrators recognized by their peer organization:

 A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Commending and honoring the 2013-2014 Outstanding School Administrators of South Dakota, including Tim Mitchell, Rapid City, School Superintendent; Anita Stugelmeyer, Lemmon, School Business Official; John Decker, Watertown, Elementary School Principal; Brad Seamer, McCook Central, Secondary School Principal; Peggy Diekhoff, Todd County, Assistant Secondary School Principal; Kym Johnston, Lennox, Curriculum Director; Michelle Powers, Brookings, Director of Special Education; and Rhonda Gross, Arlington, Middle School Principal, for being named outstanding administrators by their respective administrator parent groups.

Read it all here.

Press Release: Gov. Daugaard Names Kim Malsam-Rysdon As Secretary Of Health

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Gov. Daugaard Names Kim Malsam-Rysdon As Secretary Of Health

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint Kim Malsam-Rysdon as Secretary of Health.

Malsam-Rysdon has held the position in an interim role since last month. She will replace Secretary Doneen Hollingsworth, who retired after nineteen years as secretary.

“Public health has never been more important as we see the need to respond to emerging issues such as Ebola and a recent outbreak of contagious diseases like measles”, said Gov. Daugaard. “Kim will not only be able to lead our state’s response to these issues but also ensure we are doing all we can to address chronic diseases and access to quality health care services across our state”.

Malsam-Rysdon will continue to serve as senior advisor to the Governor and as a member of the Governor’s Executive Committee. She previously served as Secretary of the Department of Social Services.

“I appreciate the ability to serve the state of South Dakota in this role and look forward to leading our state’s health department,” said Malsam-Rysdon. “Public health issues and access to health care are critical issues that impact individuals and families across South Dakota. I look forward to working with stakeholders throughout our state to address these needs.

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Donald and Michael London Indicted by Brule County Grand Jury

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Donald and Michael London Indicted by Brule County Grand Jury

PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley and Brule County States Attorney David Natvig announced today that Donald G. London, 42, Kimball and Michael J. London, 66, Chamberlain, were indicted last week by a Brule County Grand Jury. Donald G. London was indicted on two counts of attempted first degree murder, class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years in the state penitentiary and/or

$50,000 fine and 3 counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officer, class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years in the state penitentiary and/or $50,000 fine. With the Habitual Offender filing, Donald G. London faces up to faces up to fifty years imprisonment. Michael J. London was indicted on 2 counts of aiding and abetting aggravated assault on law enforcement officer, class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years in the state penitentiary and/or $50,000 fine and 1 count of accessory to crime, class 5 felony, punishable by up to 5 years in the state penitentiary and or $10,000 fine.

Charges stem from the armed standoff in Kimball, South Dakota on January 7, 2015. Arraignment is scheduled for January 27, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at the Brule County Courthouse.

The case continues to be investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by the Brule County States Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.