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“Helen Boosalis was a true Nebraska treasure who changed the political landscape especially for women in politics. She was an able leader, very public-minded and always full of energy. She was a great friend and I will miss her counsel."
~ Senator Nelson on the passing of Former Lincoln Mayor Helen Boosalis ~
NELSON INTRODUCES BILL TO EXTEND FUNDING FOR RURAL HOSPITALS
June 17, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2009 that would extend funding for certain rural hospitals under the Rural Community Hospital (RCH) program. Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska would be one of thirteen hospitals nationwide to qualify for the extended funding, which is currently set to expire in November of this year.
“This bill will ensure that funding for Columbus Community Hospital doesn’t dry up and that the hospital can continue to provide vital services to the community,” said Senator Nelson. “A rural community needs a healthy hospital to grow and prosper. From my days growing up in McCook, I know firsthand how important it is for rural areas to have accessible medical services.”
“The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Project has been critical for the Columbus Community Hospital and, as such, critical for our community,” said K. C. Belitz, President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. “Providing quality health care is absolutely vital to the survival of any rural community of this size. We need Columbus Community Hospital and the hospital needs this demonstration project to continue their work of providing up-to-date, high quality health care that keeps people healthy and well.”
“The Demonstration Project finds a good middle ground for Medicare to pay rural community hospitals in a way that will sustain those hospitals over time, given the realities of their mission, economic setting, and care delivery challenges,” said Bill Luke, Interim President/CEO of Columbus Community Hospital. “Senator Nelson was instrumental in establishing this Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Project almost five years ago, and it is wonderful that the Senator is willing to take the lead to extend it now.”
Currently, the RCH demonstration project is scheduled to end on November 1, 2009, though the final report on the project’s effectiveness is not scheduled until 2011. Senator Nelson’s bill will extend funding to preserve the facilities until the findings are issued.
The RCH demonstration project, initiated as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, has played a critical role in helping rural hospitals to continue serving their communities and patients. Congress included the provision in response to financial concerns of small rural hospitals that were not small enough to qualify for funding as critical access hospitals (CAHs), but still struggled to keep their doors open. The demonstration’s charter was to test the feasibility and advisability of reasonable cost reimbursement for small rural hospitals and to increase the capability of the selected facilities to meet the needs of their service areas. To qualify, hospitals must have fewer than 51 acute care beds, 24-hour emergency care services, and are not eligible for CAH designation.
In addition to Nebraska, the funding will go to hospitals in other rural states including Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. A bipartisan group of Senators are cosponsoring the bill including Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mark Begich (D-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
NELSON: OVER $16 MILLION FOR NEBRASKA ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS
June 18, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that Nebraska will receive more than $16 million for weatherization programs as part of the stimulus bill.
“These funds will help 4,000 Nebraska families cut their energy bills, while spurring communities toward job growth and economic development,” said Senator Nelson. “Weatherization projects will create jobs and have the added benefit of improving our environment and moving America one step closer to energy independence.”
Nebraska will be awarded a total of $16,657,783 representing 40% of the funding for a project to weatherize 4,000 homes over the next three years. Weatherization enables families to reduce energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32 percent and overall energy bills by $350 per year, according to the Department of Energy.
Nebraska will prioritize weatherization for homes occupied by elderly disabled persons, followed by homes occupied by people over 60 years old; younger disabled persons; Native Americans; adults with children under 6 years of age; and other eligible low-income families. Community action agencies and other non-profits tasked with weatherization activities will be able to use funds to hire and train a number of additional workers to handle the increased workload.
After demonstrating successful implementation of the weatherization projects, Nebraska will receive an additional $20.8 million, added to the $4 million it has already received, for a total of more than $41 million.
Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009. Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_4.cfm for more information.
NELSON PRAISES USDA INVITATION FOR SECOND ROUND OF GREAT NORTHERN BEAN PURCHASES
June 19, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson applauded the USDA on its first round of Great Northern Bean purchases this week and praised today’s announcement by the USDA of a second invitation for purchases. Eighty-five percent of Great Northern Beans are produced in Nebraska.
“Today is a great day for Nebraska’s Great Northern Bean growers,” said Senator Nelson. “Not only did USDA complete its first purchase of the 2008 crop, but they also announced a second invitation to Great Northern Bean Growers. I applaud the USDA’s actions. These funds will help a vital Nebraska industry and will literally plant the seeds for future growth.”
Many Western Nebraska Great Northern bean farmers have been unable to sell their 2008 Great Northern bean crop and face significant difficulties in obtaining operating capital for the 2009 season for a number of reasons. These include: domestic competition for land last year due to high prices for corn and other crops due to speculation and high oil prices, subsequently pricing bean farmers out of the market, while internationally there have been problems within some of the traditional markets for these beans, like Iraq and Cuba.
Nebraska produces 85 percent of the nation's Great Northern bean crop and requested assistance under the USDA's Section 32 program to help preserve this important industry. The beans will be used provide healthy lunches for thousands of students nationwide through school lunch and other assistance programs
Nebraska’s Dry Edible Bean growers not only feed the world, but also contribute greatly to the U.S. economy while doing so. Half of the product is exported to foreign markets such as Mexico, the United Kingdom, Haiti, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Northern Africa, Canada, Cuba and Iraq.
It is estimated that the Nebraska produced 2008 Great Northern bean crop totals 62,000 metric tons. There are an estimated 1,500 farmers in western Nebraska who produce the beans for various purposes.
In March, Nelson sent a letter to USDA with Senator Mike Johanns and Congressman Smith and has been urging the agency to expedite the purchase of the beans from Nebraska famers.
A copy to today’s second invitation to Great Northern Bean Growers can be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5077619
STATEMENT FROM SENATOR BEN NELSON ON THE PASSING OF HELEN BOOSALIS
June 15, 2009 – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson has issued the following statement on the passing of former Lincoln Mayor Helen Boosalis.
“Helen Boosalis was a true Nebraska treasure who changed the political landscape especially for women in politics. She was an able leader, very public-minded and always full of energy. She was a great friend and I will miss her counsel. My sympathies go out to Mike, Beth and all her family and friends.”
Senator Nelson served as Chairman of her historic 1986 campaign for Governor of Nebraska.
Nelson Network Nebraska is interested in reaching more Nebraskans. If you know of a fellow Nebraskan who would be interested in receiving this bulletin, please forward their name, telephone number and email address to us at press@bennelson.senate.gov
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