Washington, DC—As Congress prepares to begin shaping legislation to reform health care, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today called on South Dakotans to share their stories. Johnson has launched a new section of his website to hear directly from families about their experiences with the health care system as the process moves forward.

“Like most Americans, I realize that this is a complex problem and thus, the solutions will not be simple.  I’ve paid rising health insurance premiums over the years like anyone else. I have two South Dakota doctors in my family, and I have also been a patient who has tremendous appreciation for the medical miracles that happen in our nation every day,” Johnson said.  “I believe we have a moral obligation to fix our American health care system, and we also have an economic incentive to do so.”

While Congress has not yet considered health care legislation this session, it appears likely that legislation will be introduced by this summer.  Johnson feels it is important to hear from people back home at the start of the process.

“As the debate moves forward in Washington, I will continue to study various proposals and will carefully consider our options for meaningful reform.  But I want to hear from South Dakotans about their current experiences, opinions and ideas,” Johnson continued.

Access to affordable health insurance and rising health care costs are among the leading domestic issues facing our country.  Health insurance premiums have doubled in the last eight years, rising nearly four times faster than wages.  There are approximately 47 million uninsured Americans, 8 million of them children.  This does not count the underinsured.

“This is a situation that cannot continue.  The price of inaction and the status quo is swamping us all.  Reform is needed, and it will take hard work and bipartisan cooperation that puts the needs of Americans above one’s own interests,” Johnson concluded.

To share your story, please go to http://johnson.senate.gov/.

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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.  To contact Senator Johnson’s communications office via e-mail, write his Communications Director at Julianne_Fisher@Johnson.Senate.gov

or his Deputy Communications Director  at Jeff_Gohringer@Johnson.Senate.gov