Chippewa Valley Times

Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) issued a statement regarding recent claims about the handling of the HSHS crisis and the $15 million available for area health care providers. "Senate Republicans like Senator Jesse James (R-Altoona) are scared to face the public. Cutting off debate today over the HSHS closure crisis proves they can’t justify their lies. Instead of simply releasing the money, they want to use the crisis as a political football while our communities suffer. Republicans shouldn’t even have bothered to pass the bill if they weren’t serious about releasing the money."

Smith emphasized that funding is currently available despite disagreements over details. "This was accomplished in a bipartisan way. We passed it into law and now the last step is to release the funds. We are inches away from having $15 million available, but Republicans wanted to travel a mile-long political gauntlet to come back to where we are at today. This all-or-nothing approach leaves all of the Chippewa Valley with nothing at all."

He further criticized Republicans for shifting blame regarding their obligation to release funds from the Joint Finance Committee due to political maneuvering. "Overriding the Governor’s veto and ignoring advice by area health care providers rather than doing what we need to do to address the HSHS closure crisis makes zero sense and would be the definition of playing politics with people who are suffering. Politicians need to get out of the way. Just say, ‘yes,’ and allow Chippewa Valley health care providers do what they do best.”