Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Cassidy, Cardin, Thune Reintroduce Bill to Remove Barriers to Telemental Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined her colleagues Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Thune (R-SD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to reintroduce the bipartisan Telemental Health Care Access Act to remove barriers to telemental health services for Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in person within six months of being treated for mental health services through telehealth. In 2020, Congress permanently expanded access for Medicare patients to be treated virtually for mental health services. Unfortunately, it also included an arbitrary requirement that would require the patient to be seen in-person before they could receive telemental services. The Telemental Health Care Access Act eliminates this in-person requirement so that patients can directly access mental health services via telehealth. “Telehealth has proved to be an important lifeline and tool to close some of the most significant gaps in patients’ access to health care services,” said Senator Smith. “Especially for Minnesotans in small towns and rural places suffering from mental health challenges, long commutes to the nearest provider can mean virtual care is the only feasible option. This bill is an important step in making it easier for mental health patients on Medicare to ask for help and get the care they need, without having to jump through administrative hoops.” “Since the pandemic, we have seen how telehealth expanded health care access for those with substance use disorders, physical ailments, and mental health conditions. It has been an important lifeline for rural communities,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This bill removes barriers to allow Medicare patients to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on USPS Inspector General’s Troubling Report on St. Paul and South Metro Mail Service
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to the USPS Inspector General’s report that found glaring issues at the St. Paul Processing and Distribution Center and post offices in Eagan, New Brighton and Apple Valley: “The Postal Service Inspector General’s audit reports on St. Paul and south Metro mail service are alarming and confirm what we’ve been hearing from constituents. Delayed mail and failures to report it, package delivery issues, and systemic understaffing are just the beginning. Minnesotans have been raising the alarm that mail service isn’t as reliable as it needs to be, but the Postal Service continues to act like everything is working as it should. This report confirms the reports of hundreds of Minnesotans that there are deep and systemic issues in the state. In December, I asked the Inspector General to expand the scope of their investigations in Minnesota so we can get to the bottom of these issues, and I am grateful that they will do so in the coming months,” said Senator Smith. Senator Smith has frequently raised the alarm on persistent mail delays and reports of hazardous work conditions for mail carriers, pressing Postmaster Louis DeJoy for answers on how USPS plans to remedy these issues. Most recently, Senator Smith called on the Inspector General to conduct a full audit of the Minnesota-North Dakota District, which the Inspector General’s office announced they will soon begin. The full results of the Inspector General’s audit can be
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Announce Over $1.9 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband Development in Aitkin County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) announced over $1.9 Million in funding for broadband deployment in Aitkin County. The Community Connect grant of $1,953,464 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be used to construct a fiber broadband network helping spur economic, business, telehealth, and educational improvements in Rice River Township and Spaulding Township. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and that requires investments in roads, bridges, airports, and rural broadband,” Klobuchar said. “This crucial funding will connect these communities – bringing high speed internet to even more
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on House Beginning Impeachment Proceedings
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/24/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement: “I support the House beginning impeachment proceedings, as a matter of national security, and protecting the rule of law and our Constitution. “Amid reports that the President asked or even actively pressured Ukraine, a foreign government, to interfere in our country’s democracy by undermining a political opponent, we must fully and fairly open a process to lay out all the facts. “Such an inquiry—which is different from removal from office—is serious. Impeachment is the only way in our system of constitutional checks and balances to establish whether a President has abused
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Over $19 Million in Funding for Infrastructure Improvements at Regional Airports
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $19,340,781 in grant funding for infrastructure improvements at regional Minnesota airports. “Critical investments in our infrastructure help create good jobs while enhancing public safety,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in our airport infrastructure across the state we are making an important investment in the economy of these regions.” “Airports are key transportation hubs and economic drivers for communities all across the state,” Smith said. “I’m glad the Department of Transportation is investing in projects to strengthen public safety and operations, and I will keep pressing
U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Smith Urge Minnesota Dairy Farmers to Take Advantage of Extended Enrollment Deadline for Margin Protection Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/23/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are urging Minnesota dairy farmers to sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program by the extended deadline of September 27. The Senators said that the DMC program offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. All dairy operations in Minnesota are eligible for the DMC program. “Over the past few years, dairy farmers have continued to face market instability and sustained low prices and they deserve our support during tough times like these,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “This sign-up
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