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If you've turned on the news in the last month or so you've probably heard this word over and over: Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.
This week, the president addressed the nation regarding the U.S. response to the outbreak. So far, officials have determined more than 80,000 cases globally – the majority of them in China.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today praised the bipartisan Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act (H.R. 5826), which passed out of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee this week. Johnson is a co-sponsor of the bill.
"This is a pro-patient bill," said Johnson. "When families are faced with a medical crisis, the last thing you want to receive is a surprise bill in the mail. Patients deserve transparency and that is exactly what this bill delivers."
Thirteen-year-old teenagers are not commonly known for their persistent dedication to serving others. I know I certainly wasn't. But every once in a while, I'm privileged to meet someone who challenges that norm.
On days I'm home in South Dakota, I sit down for my morning bowl of Wheaties and flip through our local papers. This week, as I ate my bowl of cereal, I came across a well-researched and well-written article. The title was: "Effort begins to reduce risk of death of South Dakota mothers during childbirth." It was written by local reporter Nick Lowrey from South Dakota News Watch and placed in many papers throughout the state.
Congressman Dusty Johnson is highlighting the importance of the Meals on Wheels program.
Johnson says just in Sioux Falls, 450 people rely on Meals on Wheels for food each day.
He says while it's important local, state and federal governments support these programs, he is also calling on everyone in the community to help.
"Even more important than the dollars are the volunteers who make this work. We are called to care for our fellow person, our fellow men, our fellow women. And volunteers are a critically important part of making Meals on Wheels Work," Johnson said.
A South Dakota woman has spent months raising funds to support a trip to the nation's capital, hoping to speak to lawmakers about CMT, a nervous system disorder. When she wasn't able to raise enough to make the trip Congressman Dusty Johnson came to her instead.
"It won't break me. I tell people all the time I have CMT, but CMT does not have me," said Clarkson.
Sen. John Thune's thoughts were with his hometown of Sioux Falls as it faced the aftermath of three tornadoes.
"I'm grateful to all the emergency responders, electric crews and all those who worked through the night to keep residents safe," Thune said on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.