Last week, I wrote about my team’s work to secure federal tax dollars Nebraskans already sent to Washington to improve the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island. This week, I want to update you on my recent visit to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill and share my team’s efforts to invest federal tax dollars there as well.
Founded in 1952, Avera St. Anthony’s now stands as one of the largest critical access hospitals in the state. The facility provides 24/7 emergency care, along with primary care, surgery, rehabilitation, and specialty services. It is truly a lifeline for O’Neill and the surrounding communities.
But in October 2024, a vehicle struck a gas line and caused an explosion and fire nearby. While thankfully no one was seriously injured, the damage forced the hospital to temporarily close. Despite the setback, hospital staff worked diligently to reopen the emergency department and accept inpatients again just three weeks later. This level of resilience speaks volumes about the people who work there and their commitment to their community.
During my visit, I learned more about both the challenges they’ve faced and the progress they’ve made since that incident. It was a pleasure meeting with the hospital’s leadership team, doctors, and nurses, and seeing firsthand how critical reliable infrastructure is to their continued success.
First, we viewed the hospital’s boiler system, which was in urgent need of replacement as a result of the explosion and fire that occurred just 17 months ago. Through the federal funding process, I secured a $3.5 million investment for a new boiler and hot water system at the hospital. Reliable heat and hot water are essential for patient care, sanitation, and day-to-day operations, especially during a Nebraska winter. This practical, necessary investment will help ensure the hospital can continue serving patients safely and effectively for years to come.
This project is a great example of how I use my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Let me explain: A significant portion of what Nebraskans pay in federal taxes goes to Washington and doesn’t always find its way back home. That’s why I push to ensure that Nebraska gets a fair return on what our families, farmers, and businesses are already contributing.
There is also a practical reason this matters for your wallet. Projects like this one, if they weren’t funded federally, would be extremely difficult to complete at the local level. Nebraska property taxes are already a burden for many families. When we can direct federal dollars toward these needs instead, it helps alleviate some of that pressure.
I have always believed that federal funding works best when it starts with listening — taking the time to understand what a community actually needs — and then working collaboratively to deliver real solutions. And I feel strongly that these decisions should be made by people accountable to Nebraska voters, not handed off to unelected officials in Washington who may not understand our communities. That’s why it matters to have elected representatives involved in the federal funding process.
Please know that I will keep working to make sure Nebraska’s tax dollars come back home and are directed toward even more projects that tangibly improve Nebraskans’ daily lives. That’s what this work is about: making the Good Life even better.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.