Noem, Rounds and Thune Leading the Charge to Dismantle Affordable Care Act

January 9, 2017

SIOUX FALLS – The South Dakota Democratic Democratic Party released the following statement in response to the eagerness with which South Dakota’s congressional delegation is joining their fellow Washington establishment Republicans in pursuing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also know as Obamacare, without any plan to replace it:

“Instead of fulfilling their promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are going to make America sick again by offering no health care plan to the American people and actually dismantling Medicare, Medicaid as well as the ACA. Congressional Republicans, including Kristi Noem, Mike Rounds, and John Thune, are leading the charge.

“The Republican health care repeal bill will make America sick again by putting insurance companies back in charge of health care, ripping health care away from 30 million people, raising premiums, and creating chaos throughout our whole economy. Independent experts say this will take us back to the old days when insurance companies could discriminate against people, like individuals with pre-existing conditions. Health care costs for all Americans will skyrocket at the same time big corporations get a tax break.

“In South Dakota alone, repeal would mean:

• 74,000 South Dakotans could lose health care coverage
• 22,005 South Dakotans would lose financial assistance to cover heath care costs
• 346,000 South Dakotans with pre-existing conditions (including asthma, diabetes, and cancer) could lose affordable coverage and women in South Dakota could be charged more for coverage due to their gender
• 392,000 South Dakotans with private insurance, including 86,000 children, and 156,000 South Dakota seniors on Medicare will lose guaranteed access to free preventive care – including recommended cancer screenings and vaccinations
• The Medicare “donut hole” will open once again, meaning South Dakota seniors and people with disabilities will be forced to pay thousands more for their prescriptions (South Dakotans have saved about $49 million in prescription costs thanks to the ACA closing this “donut hole”)
• South Dakota health care providers would be faced with $260 million more in uncompensated care costs
• South Dakota would lose 7,000 jobs, $4.2 billion in state domestic product, $7.5 billion in business productivity, and $108.4 million in state and local tax revenue

“If Kristi Noem, John Thune, Mike Rounds, and their friends in Washington have a plan to replace the ACA and avoid these disastrous effects of its repeal, they have a responsibility to tell the American people what it is. Given that they have had over 6 years to unveil an ACA replacement plan and have failed to do so we can only conclude that one does not exist. Until such a plan is released for the people of South Dakota, and the rest of America, to examine and compare with the ACA, even considering repealing the ACA is completely irresponsible, dangerous, and frankly cruel. The people of South Dakota deserve better.”

Hawks Wants EB-5 Visa Program to Expire September 30, 2016

 Let EB-5 Expire

Sioux Falls, SD -August 2, 2016 – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks weighed into the ongoing EB-5 scandal after Nick Colucci, head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Immigrant Investor Program Office publicly criticized the administration of South Dakota’s EB-5 VISA program.

“It’s interesting to hear Kristi Noem flex about her power on the Ways and Means Committee, but than consistently watch her fail South Dakota over and over again on issues like EB-5 reform. Her words don’t match her actions when it comes to reducing government waste and increasing oversight,” Hawks said.

Hawks, a champion for good-government measures in the state legislature, proposed establishing an ethics commission last session. Hawks’ opponent Kristi Noem flip-flopped earlier in December 2015 voting to extend the EB-5 VISA program without reform after promising not to do so. 

Hawks concluded, “We only know of one reform that will work. Let the program expire September 30th so we stop wasting taxpayer money on its administration and on lawsuits over the fraudulent activity connected to this program. A program that sells American citizenship to the highest bidder and that has drug South Dakota’s good reputation through the mud should not be allowed to continue, period.”

Paid for Hawks for U.S. House

Hawks for U.S. House
PO Box 2848
Sioux Falls SD 57101 United States

Dakotafest to Host Hawks Town Hall Without U.S. House Rep. Kristi Noem

 

Sioux Falls, SD – Dakotafest has announced it will host an event with U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks Thursday, August 18 at 10:30 AM CT. Hawks released the following statement:

“I’d like to thank Dakotafest for allowing me the opportunity to address the crowd and speak to the concerns many of our farmers and ranchers have regarding the direction of agriculture in South Dakota. While I am disappointed Noem won’t debate at the event, I am excited to lay out my vision for South Dakota agriculture and answer questions from the audience.”

Hawks has made agriculture a centerpiece of her campaign calling for the reinstatement of Country of Origin Labeling, more robust protections for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and a strong voice on the House Ag. Committee. 

Paid for Hawks for U.S. House

Hawks for U.S. House
PO Box 2848
Sioux Falls SD 57101 United States

No Debate Because There’s No Explanation for Noem’s Ag Record

Sioux Falls, SD July 18, 2016 – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks issued the following statement Monday regarding her opponent’s refusal to participate in the annual Dakotafest Debate hosted in Mitchell, SD.

“It’s disappointing but not surprising that Kristi Noem will not answer questions from an audience with a strong agricultural background about leaving the House Ag Committee. There’s no debate because there’s no good explanation for leaving South Dakota’s number one industry without a strong voice. We’re already seeing the negative effects with the repeal of Country of Origin Labeling and low CRP numbers. When I get to Congress, I’m going to make sure my priorities match South Dakota’s. I don’t care if it’s glamorous or good Washington politics, I will demand a seat on the Ag Committee and will make sure we have a strong voice for South Dakota agriculture.”