Sioux Falls, SD—As the Senate begins debating health care legislation, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today stressed the need for reform at a roundtable discussion with South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine students and faculty in Sioux Falls. Johnson made the case for legislation that lowers costs, expands care and covers pre-existing conditions for hardworking families.
“As the Senate prepares to consider legislation in the coming days, we are one step closer to finally putting an end to just talking about reform – we are finally taking action,” said Johnson. “I am glad to be back in Sioux Falls today to update students and faculty at the School of Medicine about the progress being made in Washington, and the benefits South Dakotans will see in this bill.”
Joining Johnson at the event were Dr. Rod Parry, Dean, Sanford School of Medicine; Carl Rasmussen, medical student; Rachel Zaudtke, medical student; Dr. Nate Miller, 2nd year resident, Internal Medicine, VA Inpatient Service and Dr. Susan Anderson, associate professor, Dept. of Family Medicine.
“Reform will ensure that more Americans have access to meaningful, affordable coverage while also putting health care spending on a more sustainable course. We are beginning a new phase of what has been a long process, and we cannot afford to stop this momentum. This is a historic opportunity that will help fix a broken health care system,” continued Johnson.
Johnson has been discussing the need for health care reform across the state since President Obama made it a priority of his Administration earlier this year. He encouraged people to share their experiences of the health care system on his website when Congress began drafting health care legislation in April. He has passed on hundreds of responses to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committees to make sure the voices of South Dakotans are represented in the bill.
Today’s roundtable discussion is one in a series of events Johnson is holding across South Dakota during the Congressional District Work Period. He will also hold additional events later this week in Rapid City, Sturgis, Yankton, Sioux Falls and on the Rosebud reservation.
