U.S. Senator, Joni Ernst, was in Jefferson yesterday (Friday) afternoon to host an hour-long town hall with constituents at the Greene County Community Center. Approximately 100 people attended the meeting with significant amount of time spent on healthcare issues. According to Ernst, the rise in prescription drug prices is one of the top issues she hears while traveling the state. She says there are many reasons for the increases, one of them being the patenting process.
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Ernst points to nine other bills she is supporting, including the bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden. According to Ernst, Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has indicated there will be votes on several of these bills, but it is not clear which ones will make it to the floor. A self-described “fan of the Affordable Care Act” pressed Ernst on Republican efforts to remove some of the ACA’s protections. Ernst says she has backed measure that included protections for patients with pre-existing conditions, coverage for preventative care. She says the ACA did not address Americans’ main concern with healthcare: cost.
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The focus then shifted to reports that the Trump administration plans to appeal a January decision from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court that limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to approve small refinery waivers to blending requirements laid out in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Ernst says she spoke with the president Friday to voice her frustration.
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If the decision would to be overturned, it would be another blow to farmers who have struggled with low commodity prices stemming from the trade dispute with China and fears surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and African swine fever. Full audio from the Friday town hall can be found included with this story on our website.
FULL AUDIO
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