ROLLA, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) touted updated guidance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that now allows rural hospitals that are owned or operated by counties or other localities to qualify for critical financial assistance programs. In early April Smith called on SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza to make this important change to ensure rural providers were not disproportionally affected. After the SBA issued its updated guidance, Congressman Smith spoke about how he’s f... READ MORE
ROLLA, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) on Tuesday held a conference call with over 50 leaders from across southern Missouri to discuss plans for reopening the area’s economy. Smith highlighted how he’s been working with the Governor and President Trump about how to get rural America and southern Missouri back to work. Smith spoke about how the best government is the one closest to the people, which is why getting feedback from the area’s leaders is critical to getting the economy restarted.... READ MORE
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) helped to secure $69,000 in new funding for Popular Bluff Municipal Airport. This funding, part of the CARES Act, will help the airport address its immediate needs in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. After the grant was announced, Congressman Smith spoke about how he’s fought to include rural priorities in the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, including much needed investments for southern Missouri’s infrastructure. “Since ... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) praised the Trump Administration’s updated Medicare guidance announced on Monday, which will permit health care providers to evaluate seniors over the telephone instead of in person or requiring a video conference. Smith has been urging the Administration to make this change to Medicare’s telehealth requirements after hearing concerns from rural health care providers. Two weeks ago, Congressman Smith held a call with 50 health care providers, docto... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) provided a list of policies to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue on Wednesday to help farmers and producers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The proposal outlined what executive steps the Trump Administration can take and what policies they can support to ease the burden on farmers during this difficult time. The proposal included numerous ideas Smith gathered from conference calls he has held with individuals thr... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) applauded President Trump’s decision to sign an executive order on Monday going after individuals intentionally manipulating the supply of vital medical materials and equipment—such as masks and ventilators—in order to turn a profit. Rep. Smith previously introduced the Preventing Pandemic Profiting Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure hard-working families are protected from price gouging during a national emergency. He also stressed that it is import... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) is urging Congressional Leaders and the White House to include his “Rural Relief” package of proposals in upcoming legislative responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Smith wants to ensure that the federal government is responsive to the challenges facing rural communities and has shared dozens of policy proposals with leaders and the Administration to help rural Missourians. On Thursday, Congressman Smith held a conference call with 50 health care ... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) introduced the Preventing Pandemic Profiting Act to ensure hard-working families are protected from price gouging of medical and non-medical essentials with the outbreak of coronavirus. Protecting American consumers from price gouging is a focus of President Donald Trump and his administration. During a press conference at the White House on February 26, President Trump said his administration would “definitely investigate” any reports of price gou... READ MORE
Rural healthcare is often scarce and underresourced. Our communities are often neglected while money is thrown into metropolitan areas along the coasts. This is simply unacceptable when rural health providers can be the only lifelines available to patients for miles and miles around. I’ve worked hard to expand access to rural healthcare and make sure our sick and elderly receive the care they deserve. Read the full article here. READ MORE
I sat down with Lucas Presson, assistant publisher of the Cape Girardeau newspaper Southeast Missourian, for a wide-ranging interview about my work to support President Trump’s legislative agenda. I know that the President is a champion for the people of southern Missouri, and I have worked hard to help his legislative agenda pass in Congress. Together, we have cut taxes for middle-class families, fought for rational strategies to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and fought to open global m... READ MORE
