The Daily Republic - Senator Makes Quick Tour of Mitchell Hospital

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The Daily Republic - Senator Makes Quick Tour of Mitchell Hospital

Sen. Tim Johnson on Saturday said the current presidential administration worries too much about war and not enough about health care.

Johnson, D-S.D., spent an hour in Mitchell, touring Avera Queen of Peace Hospital and discussing issues with hospital employees. He repeatedly expressed how impressed he is with the facility, but expressed doubt at the adequacy of health care funding available from Washington, D.C.

"The problem is that the expense will outrun the need," he said. "Besides, our president has a priority on fighting wars and too little serving the people who need it."

Johnson and his wife, Barbara, and two staff members toured portions of the hospital, including the maternity ward, intensive care unit and cancer center. Johnson said the purpose of his visit was to see the upgrades and improvements that had been made in the approximately three years since his last visit.

He said he was impressed with "the entirety of the hospital (and) the comprehensive health care that the people of Mitchell receive from the cancer center to the medical center."

After the tour, Johnson said the facility could serve as an example for other communities.

"It's a model for what the nation and South Dakota could use," Johnson said. "It's a marginally small city, but the service you get here is a combination of good technology, good care skills and personal skills. I think that this community is well served by the people here."

For Charlene Berke, director of Radiation Oncology, the visit was a good chance to show Johnson the facility's technological progress.

"I'm glad he was able to come and see all the changes that we've done since he's been here last," Berke said. "I think it went great."

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