Sioux Falls, SD—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today met with local health care advocates in Sioux Falls to discuss the struggles South Dakotans face with getting and keeping quality health care. The roundtable discussion comes after Johnson received nearly 170 health care stories from people across the state as Johnson called upon South Dakotans to share their experiences online.

“After hearing from many South Dakotans, it’s clear that people want to preserve choice, increase affordability and make sure that more Americans have access to health care,” said Johnson. “They understand that the status quo is no longer acceptable, and Congress must act to not only keep what works, but fix what’s broken.”

Invited guests include Pat Gross, State President, AARP; Erik Gaikowski, Sr. Field Government Relations, American Cancer Society; Elaine Roberts, Director, Parent Connection; and Judy Buseman, Director, SF Public Health and the Falls Community Health Center.

Since receiving nearly 170 stories, Johnson has featured responses from across the state on his website. Johnson has also sent all the responses to leaders in Washington, including the chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee.

Johnson is continuing to encourage people to tell him their experiences as Congress begins drafting health care legislation in the weeks ahead. Hard working parents, doctors in the field, and others fighting to keep their health care have all made clear the struggles they are facing.

“Folks in Sioux Falls and across our state have affirmed that real reform is necessary,” said Johnson. “I’m encouraged to hear from people back home and make sure their voice is heard in Washington as the health care debate gets underway.” 

Today’s visit was Johnson’s second stop during the Congressional District Work Period after attending the groundbreaking of the Joint Forces Headquarters and the ribbon cutting for the new Welcome Center at the South Dakota National Guard Campus in Rapid City yesterday. In the coming days, Johnson will travel to communities across South Dakota and hold events in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.

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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