It’s not you, Republican State Central Committee, it’s me. My heart is broken over what a complete sh*t show of a mess you’ve become, as you seem intent on losing elections and bashing those left standing. So I’m going out on my own to face the world..
For Valentine’s Day I’m taking the opportunity to have some fun, and continue riffing on the Republican State Central Committee’s public breakup with me for Valentine’s Day from our seat in government in Pierre. I’m going to walk the halls of power, stop in and see many friends, and maybe even testify on legislation if I’m so inclined.
So check in from time to time for updates on the Heartbreaker tour straight from dakotawarcollege.com.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border.
“The southern border is an abject disaster,” said Johnson. “His willful and systemic refusal to comply with laws set by Congress has created a safety and security crisis around America. Mayorkas has failed to uphold his oath of office and should be removed.”
Click here or the image above to view remarks from Johnson about his vote to impeach Secretary Mayorkas
Background:
Since January 2021, there have been over 8.3 million illegal crossings nationwide. More than 7 million of these are from the southern border.
The Biden Administration has taken over 60 actions to undermine border security.
Johnson is a strong proponent of border security measures. He has:
Voted 72 times for stronger border policies
Voted 21 times to increase resources to DHS, CBP, and ICE
Voted 9 times to protest harmful border policies while Nancy Pelosi was Speaker
Voted 8 times to hold the Biden administration accountable for border failures
Voted 7 times to halt the flow of illegal drugs across the border
No wonder the GOP Central Committee uninvited me from working with the party because I point out stupid things.
The latest in silliness is the Butte County GOP announcing their guest speaker for their 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner, former Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard, the man who lost both a race for Governor (3-1) AND Lt. Governor within a 30 day timespan.
You know, you can’t make this stuff up.
It’s like they sat on the ground in a sharing circle (criss-cross applesauce, everyone), and thought Who is the one person that people want to see speak at a GOP Dinner? Unfortunately, someone left their car running and backed up to the building, and they all inhaled too many exhaust fumes while they were sitting on the ground, and someone addled by the fumes uttered how about Steve Haugaard, before they slipped into unconsciousness and fire/rescue had to be called.
Tickets are $35 each, and no. They will not pay you $35 if you attend. That’s what has to come out of your own pocket.
I probably should have ordered them sooner, but I don’t think any of us expected Toby to drop out of the race as quickly as he did. Sometimes production times for buttons just aren’t convenient.
Oh well. I’m sure there are button collectors who will want a few.
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.
