HEALTH CARE

People Line Up Outside Sen. Hoeven’s Office Protesting Senate Health Care Bill

Indivisible FM held a pop–up protest to encourage him to vote against the Senate health care bill

FARGO, ND — Concerned citizens gathered in front of Sen. Hoeven’s Fargo office to make their voices heard about the Republican health care bill. Voting on the bill has been delayed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Senate health care bill is causing concern for people in North Dakota and they are reaching out to their senators for answers….

President Trump Signs Law for Major Reform at VA Hospitals

It also protects those who uncover misconduct and wrongdoing in the agency

NATIONAL — President Trump signed a bill into law that begins major reform at VA Hospitals across the country. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act gives VA leadership more power when it comes to firing employees at any level who are not up to standards. It also protects those who uncover misconduct and wrongdoing in the…

North Dakota Lawmakers Getting to Work on Next Session

Each committee will compile a report and any suggested legislation for the 2019 session

  BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Legislature’s 141 members are already at work on the next legislative session. The Legislative Management committee has assigned the lawmakers to conduct 50 studies on topics such as state retirement funding, health care and the financial condition of the state’s 11 public colleges and universities. Each committee will compile a report and any…

Congressman Kevin Cramer’s Town Hall Tussle

The two men were asked to leave the town hall. Video from KXMB in Bismarck

Video from KXMB in Bismarck. MANDAN, ND — Rep. Kevin Cramer’s Town Hall in Mandan quickly escalated into a minor tussle. It started when one person approached Rep. Cramer and attempted to stuff money into the congressman’s jacket pocket in an effort to defend another person in attendance over health care. He then continued to come at Rep. Cramer, demanding…

Governor Burgum Issues Vetoes on Bills Passed by Legislture

Burgum signed 440 bills this session, 10 with line-item vetoes, and vetoed three complete bills

  BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum has vetoed some or all of nine bills passed by the Legislature, including portions of the Public Employees Retirement System budget. One section Burgum struck down would have had the state terminate its six-year health insurance contract with Sanford Health Plan two years early. Sanford began providing coverage in 2015 after out-bidding Blue Cross…

GOP Continues Budget Planning, Despite Gov. Dayton’s Veto Threats

A health care budget also seeks to abolish MNsure by 2019

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s Republican Legislature isn’t backing down from Gov. Dayton’s veto threats as lawmakers finalize their budget offer. The Legislature started piecing together budget bills Monday as legislative leaders prepared to head into negotiations with the Democratic governor. The environmental funding bill would delay Dayton’s initiative requiring buffers between cropland and waterways until 2019. Dayton has vowed…

Member of Gov. Dayton’s Cabinet Dies

Tilsen's condition quickly worsened after he became ill last week

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — A member of Minnesota Governor Dayton’s cabinet has died. Bureau of Mediation Services Commissioner Josh Tilsen passed away early this morning from complications of a staph infection. Tilsen’s condition quickly worsened after he became ill last week. He was 67. Tilsen has been part of Dayton’s cabinet since the beginning. He’s been most visible during…

Sen. Heitkamp Talks Health Care During Tame Town Hall Meeting

The town hall style meeting invited the public to discuss the future of health care in the nation

FARGO, N.D. — Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is traveling North Dakota to talk about the work she’s doing on behalf of the state. She’s inviting the public to talk about the future of health care in the nation. Sen. Heitkamp said it’s one of the most important public policies in the nation. “I’ll talk about Obamacare, but let’s talk about health…

Sen. Franken Talks Health Care, Medicaid and the “Right to Bear Arms”

Franken says after a pretty grueling and divisive election year, his annual hotdish contest brought a little fun to the halls of Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. — It was a day of both fun with colleagues and serious topics for Minnesota Senator Al Franken. Franken says after a pretty grueling and divisive election year, his annual hotdish contest brought a little fun to the halls of Congress. He spent the rest of his day giving interviews to talk about his opposition to Republican’s new…

North Dakota Lawmakers’ Reaction to President Trump’s Address to Congress

President Trump wrapped up his first speech in front of a joint session of congress and fellow Republican lawmakers from North Dakota say they are inspired by his speech. Kelly Wang reports from Washington

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Trump wrapped up his first speech in front of a joint session of congress. He outlined his plans on immigration, health care and the budget. Fellow Republican lawmakers from North Dakota say they are inspired by his speech. “It was so great to have a president who didn’t apologize for American exceptionalism,” said Rep. Kevin Cramer….