Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Mental Health Clinics
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve access to mental health services nationwide. This bill would make it easier for seniors on Medicare to get care at Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), specialized clinics that provide mental health and substance use services. The bill would also ensure that these specialized clinics can continue to provide quality care to patients by ensuring that they receive adequate reimbursements from Medicaid. “Everybody deserves access to mental health care, regardless of their zip code,” said Senator Tina Smith. “Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers know the importance of treating the whole patient, and we need to do more to make this model of mental health care accessible and sustainable. I’m grateful to my former colleagues Senator Stabenow and Senator Blunt for laying the groundwork for this initiative. It’s an honor to be its new champion in the Senate.” Minnesota currently operates 22 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) that use a recovery-oriented philosophy, supporting pathways to success for individuals recovering from mental illness and substance use disorders. CCBHCs ensure access to coordinated behavioral health, including through medication-assisted recovery – the combined use of medication and counseling – to provide effective support for recovery. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 codified a permanent CCBHC option for states under the Medicaid program, but further action is now needed to establish CCBHCs in Medicare to allow comparable status and designated payment as other health care
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s Targeting of Somalis in Twin Cities
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement in response to reporting that President Trump is directing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to launch a raid targeting the Somali community in the Twin Cities: “When Donald Trump calls all Somalis ‘garbage’, he’s talking about the people who run your favorite deli in Minneapolis, the nurse who takes care of you at the hospital, the home health aide looking after your aging parent, the military veteran who served this country, your local and federal elected leaders, and hardworking patriotic American taxpayers who came to this country legally. “I know many of our Somali friends and neighbors are fearful as the Trump Administration threatens ICE raids specifically targeting them in the Twin Cities. I urge you to understand your rights, have your documents with you, and seek out help from an immigration attorney if you have specific questions. The Minneapolis Police Department is urging residents to call 911 if you see suspicious activity and masked agents raiding homes to confirm the activity is being conducted by real federal agents.”
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates Rural Broadband Announcements in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced three grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to residents in rural Minnesota. Over 5,000 people will benefit from these awards. Recipients include 139 different businesses and 368 farms across the state. “Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it’s a necessity,” said Senator Smith. “In Minnesota and across the country, people in rural areas, small towns, and Tribal communities need access to reliable, high-speed internet. Investing in broadband infrastructure with the ReConnect Grant Program will help connect communities in every part of the country
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Funding for Minnesota Rural Emergency Medical Services
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – As access to emergency medical services (EMS) continues to be a top issue for leaders in Minnesota, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced federal funding to bolster rural EMS services in the Southwest Metro region and the Arrowhead counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis in Northeastern Minnesota. The funding was made available through the SIREN Act, which both Senators supported and was signed into law in October of this year. The Arrowhead EMS Association will receive $5,000,000 to pilot real-time tele-EMS technologies to connect area responders to emergency personnel in areas with
Klobuchar, Lummis, Smith, Mullin Bipartisan Legislation to Designate the Bald Eagle as the National Bird Passes Congress, Heads to the President’s Desk
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) announced their bipartisan legislation to designate the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. It will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The bald eagle is a symbol of our country’s freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center
Major Senate Report Recommends Passage of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation Addressing Amazon’s Mistreatment of Workers, Unjust Quota System
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Labor Committee released a report endorsing Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation to end dangerous quota systems at Amazon warehouses. The report detailed Amazon’s mistreatment of warehouse workers under the corporation’s productivity quota system. The report analyzed Amazon’s data and found that Amazon warehouses recorded over 30 percent more injuries than the warehousing industry average in 2023. More than two-thirds of Amazon’s warehouses have injury rates that exceed the industry average. Minnesota is home to five Amazon warehouses, which have previously been reported for mistreatment of its workers. The first listed solution in the report is bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Senator Tina
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