Sioux Falls, SD—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today toured the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls for the first time since the facility opened its doors in March. The hospital serves patients from five states, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
“I was impressed by this facility, which is a great example of the kind of cutting edge care that is available right here in South Dakota,” said Johnson. “The dedicated specialists and physicians on hand really do an outstanding job in treating our kids, and allow the Children’s Hospital to help patients from five states.”
The $60 million, 146-bed children’s hospital provides state-of-the-art care in a child-focused, family-centered environment. The hospital is staffed by nearly 200 trained physicians, 16 general pediatricians, and more than 350 specially trained pediatric staff. The site includes a children’s specialty clinic, a pediatric imaging facility, and a pediatric inpatient and outpatient pharmacy.
Johnson has been a strong supporter of providing more children in South Dakota and across the country with access to quality care. Earlier this year, he voted to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which President Obama signed into law in February. The legislation provides health care to up to 6,000 uninsured kids in South Dakota.
Today’s visit is one of multiple stops Johnsons will make during this Congressional District Work Period. Earlier this week, Johnson helped break ground on the Joint Forces Headquarters and open the new Welcome Center at the South Dakota National Guard Campus in Rapid City. He also held a health care roundtable in Sioux Falls.
Later this week, Johnson will travel to Aberdeen to discuss his commitment to making affordable health care available for more people in the state and across the country.
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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.
