Weekly Column

During the Senate’s state work period for the month of August, I traveled across the state speaking with Nebraskans, touring businesses and medical centers, and holding roundtables with various groups and industry leaders. Starting in Omaha and Lincoln, I made my way from eastern Nebraska all the way up to Chadron and then west to Gering and Scottsbluff before heading down to Holdrege and McCook, making stops in many other towns along the way.

I traveled more than 1,700 miles to 23 counties, where I held or attended more than 20 public events and met with more than 20 different groups and organizations. I was so pleased to see wonderful turnouts of Nebraskans eager to share their insights and voice their opinions. 

In Chadron, I held a roundtable with Western Nebraska Veterans Service Officers and discussed a number of issues, including healthcare for retired members of our military in rural communities. I heard from farmers and ranchers in Bridgeport and Grand Island about topics of concern in agriculture and the need for a multi-year farm bill.

I am thankful for the many organizations that took time to inform me about the work they are doing to make a positive difference in Nebraska’s communities. For example, I was able to tour the Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance and Children’s Hospital in Omaha and speak with the impressive healthcare providers at both of these facilities. Mosaic welcomed me for a visit and tour of its Omaha agency. While there, I was moved by the story of one family I met, Chris and his mother Janey, who told me how Mosaic has helped improve the quality of their lives.

I was also delighted to spend a day at the State Fair, a tradition that brings Nebraskans together from all across the state. Another highlight included the Chamber of Commerce Fly-Back in Ashland with Nebraska’s Congressional delegation. 

I was pleased to attend the opening of the new Green Plains Ethanol Plant in Atkinson as well as the Cherry Avenue/I-80 Bypass in Kearney. These events are meaningful opportunities to recognize the economic growth and development strengthening Nebraska’s communities. 

If there was one consistent concern voiced at both my listening sessions and private meetings, it was ObamaCare. Nebraskans are concerned with the impact of this law on their healthcare and our state’s businesses. Due to ongoing uncertainty and increased insurance costs resulting from the Affordable Care Act, business owners have cut back their employees, reduced hours, and are delaying plans to expand. 

In my August 25 column published in the Lincoln Journal Star, I shared the story of Eileen Marrison, a small business owner I met in Papillon. Marrison owns and operates Nebraska’s “Two Men and a Truck ®” franchises based in Lincoln and Omaha. She was recently forced to hire a costly consultant to understand her new employer duties under ObamaCare. The bottom line of the 40-page report? Increased costs and complex compliance requirements – common burdens now shouldered by many of Marrison’s fellow entrepreneurs. 

I join Eileen Marrison and the ever-growing list of hospitals, healthcare providers, disability advocates, and job creators in opposing this law. I remain committed to repealing and replacing it with effective, commonsense reforms, which include: making health insurance portable so workers can take it from job to job; allowing smaller companies to pool their risk to obtain discounts from insurance carriers; increasing competition so health-insurance policies can be sold across state lines; and medical liability reform.

Thank you to all those who took time to attend my local meetings and events. I value these opportunities to hear directly from Nebraskans. Congress returns to Washington in September, and I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to promote smart, responsible policies.

Thank you for taking part in the democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week.

Deb Fischer
United States Senator

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