U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley made a stop to the listening area yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, visiting with staff and touring St. Anthony Regional Hospital. The last time Grassley made a visit to the hospital was nine years ago, and he says he was impressed by the number of improvements that he noticed on the tour.
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Grassley says these visits are important because being essential workers, they are unable to leave to attend his other scheduled meetings so he makes the effort to come to the hospital instead. He says he mostly hears about concerns with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, the 340B program that allows covered hospitals and clinics to purchase outpatient drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers at discounted prices and federal initiatives to support rural hospitals and health programs.
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Last year, St. Anthony Regional Hospital was approved as a Critical Access Hospital, which is a designation program that Grassley sponsored in legislation.
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After his visit to St. Anthony, Grassley made a stop in Audubon to visit and tour TNT Industries Inc., a manufacturer to produces and sells refrigeration parts for commercial grade coolers and equipment.
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Members of the Carroll County Democrats were not as pleased with the Senators visit. Around 17 protesters stood outside the hospital garage, holding signs and chanting at Grassley as he left in his vehicle. Pictures of the visit can be found included below.
Sen. Grassley discussing mental health care with St. Anthony Psychiatrist Dr. Amy Canuso
Protesters standing on the corner prior to Grassley’s arrival
