Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Substance Use Treatment Program in Hubbard and Beltrami Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $550,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget to implement the Stratis Health CIRCLE of Care program in Hubbard and Beltrami Counties. The project is a substance use treatment program aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality for those with opioid use disorder (OUD). “The opioid epidemic has been hurting communities across Minnesota for far too long,” said Klobuchar. “With this funding, Stratis Health will have resources to expand proven treatment programs to additional counties to bolster access to treatment for those who are living with substance use disorder.” “Supporting mental health and substance use disorder services is essential—mental health is health, and we need to make sure more people get the care they need,” said Smith. “This funding will help people in Hubbard and Beltrami access life-saving substance use treatment.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure and Housing Improvement Projects in Red Wing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for projects benefiting Red Wing. These projects will help support Sorin’s Bluff Reservoir and the Red Wing Hill Street Triplex Project. “These projects will improve critical water infrastructure and housing options for communities in Red Wing,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, these projects will have the resources to move forward.” “Without a safe place to live – including clean drinking water – nothing in your life works,” said Smith. “These investments in Red Wing will directly benefit the community and improve public health by making housing safer and protecting access to clean drinking water.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Help K-12 Schools Improve Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/12/2020]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with other colleagues in introducing a bill to help K-12 schools make infrastructure improvements. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Act (IAIA) would provide $1 billion in supplemental funding through the Impact Aid program. IAIA provides competitive and formula grants for school infrastructure projects, including school construction and facilities upgrades, in school districts with high percentages of children with military parents or children living on Tribal lands. With these grants, school districts would have the flexibility to focus on their specific renovation and repair needs, which could
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Backs Legislation to Combat Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Crisis During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/12/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Health Committee, joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and additional colleagues in introducing legislation to ensure pregnant people—especially pregnant people of color—are included in federal government’s coronavirus public health response. The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act would improve research and data collection, safeguard the health of pregnant and postpartum individuals, and dedicate resources to combat the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This legislation confronts the structural racism that drives disparities in maternal health outcomes by prioritizing racial equity and tasking the federal government with improving the delivery of and access to anti-racist,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Representative David Trone Introduce Legislation to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/12/20]—In an effort to address the expected increase in social isolation and loneliness amongst older adults due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Representative David Trone (Md.-6) introduced bicameral legislation to help older adults remain safe, socially connected and healthy. The Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2020 would provide emergency supplemental funding to programs that strengthen social connectedness and address the negative health effects of social isolation in the Older Americans Act (OAA). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 8 million older Americans already experienced social isolation, and nearly half of older adults felt isolated, alone, or left out. Due to the heightened
Sen. Smith Introduces Bill to Make Eventual COVID-19 Vaccine Free
For Immediate Release: August 1, 2020 Contact: Katie McElrath katie_mcelrath@smith.senate.gov 202-365-5865 WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/11/20]—Sen. Smith announced that she’s introduced legislation that would make the eventual coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine free to everyone, regardless of insurance status. The bill, called the Free COVID-19 Treatment Act, would also waive any cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment to anyone, regardless of how an individual gets health insurance, or whether they have insurance at all. Sen. Smith says that more than 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance between February and May, representing the highest annual percentage increase in the number of uninsured people in American history, largely driven by pandemic related job losses. On top of financial insecurity, newly uninsured and
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