Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Colleagues Call on Israeli Ambassador Herzog to Accelerate Aid Delivery and Ensure Safety for Aid Workers
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) in sending a letter to Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, on the imperative of urgently providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. The letter highlights specific steps that Ambassador Herzog and the Israeli government should take to ensure that aid reaches Gaza and to protect aid workers. “Since October 7, nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Israel’s counterattack on Gaza. While many were Hamas terrorists, a significant number were innocent civilians. Further, at least 1.7 million Palestinians have been internally displaced in Gaza. They have need for clean water, food, medical support, and humanitarian aid. Starvation and widespread disease in Gaza are imminent,” wrote the four U.S. Senators. “We believe that the future path to peace, security and stability will be enhanced dramatically by facilitating the delivery of essentials for survival to the Palestinian people whose fate is imperiled,” the Senators conclude. The letter outlines four actions Israel should take to accelerate aid delivery into Gaza and assist the safety of aid workers, including: Text of the letter follows: Dear Ambassador Herzog: We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel October 7, 2023, and hope that all the hostages return home safely. We support Israel’s right and obligation to pursue the Hamas terrorists who planned and carried out the October 7 attack and deem the prospect of Hamas retaining military control of Gaza unacceptable. We also believe, there is an urgent need to provide
Sen. Smith joins Dem Women’s Caucus, House and Senate Democrats, in Demanding Health Insurers Fully Cover Birth Control, As Required by the ACA
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22), Reps. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Kathy Manning (NC-6), and Judy Chu (CA-28), led over 150 House and Senate Democratic colleagues in urging health insurers to fully comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contraception coverage requirement. Specifically, the members urged insurers to adopt a “therapeutic equivalence standard” ensuring coverage—without cost sharing—of every FDA-approved birth control product that does not have a therapeutic equivalent (generic). The letter comes after years of systemic noncompliance by insurance plans, forcing women to pay out of pocket or face administrative red tape to access the birth control that works best for them. “We write to express our concerns that your members are not complying with the Affordable Care Act contraception coverage requirement, and to urge them to consider immediate adoption of the therapeutic equivalence standard outlined by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury on January 22, 2024,” wrote the lawmakers in a letter toAmerica’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)—whose membership includes major health insurers across the country—and UnitedHealth Group. Despite the ACA’s protections, the members outlined how multiple investigations—including by the House Oversight Committee, “have revealed that plans routinely violate the ACA by refusing to cover certain products, imposing administrative hurdles like prior authorizations and step therapy (fail first protocols), and requiring patient cost-sharing.” In response to these violations, the Biden Administration recently released additional guidance, outlining a standard that requires coverage
Minnesota Congressional Delegation Speaks with One Unified Voice on Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) wrote an open letter to the people of Minnesota concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The delegation is committed to working together to ensure Minnesotans have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe. “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a rare event that is reshaping our society. We all need to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Administration to Protect Access to Critical Health Care Supplies During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to take action to protect consumers’ access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated medical products and hygiene products from supply chain disruptions created by the coronavirus pandemic. The letter also asks several questions regarding the Administration’s preparedness and response efforts in light of reported supply shortages. “We have heard widespread reports – including from hospitals, health systems, and long-term care facilities in our state – that health care providers across the country are facing shortages of medical supplies
Members of Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urge Administration to Provide Critical Assistance to the State in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), and Collin Peterson (D-MN-7) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to provide critical assistance to the State of Minnesota in its efforts to respond to and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We have heard serious concerns from medical personnel in our State regarding the ability to process coronavirus testing due to the limited availability of needed components such as reagents and lab supplies,” the members wrote. “It is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips to Host Coronavirus Briefing Call on Monday, March 16
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/16/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) will host a free and open-to-the-public coronavirus briefing call featuring Minnesota public health experts at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. Minnesotans are invited to submit their questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) online here, and join the call by dialing 855-927-0897 or streaming online here. WHO: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips Dr. Rob Thomas, Medical Director, Emergency Physicians Professional Association Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO, Allina Health System Additional public health experts WHAT: Coronavirus Briefing Call WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2020 6-7 p.m. CT/7-8 p.m. ET WHERE: Call-in: 855-927-0897; Stream online: https://phillips.house.gov/dial-in SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/MNCoronavirusBriefing
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