Governor Pete Ricketts wants to see data from the Biden administration on vaccine distribution to Nebraska.
BLAIR, Neb. — The husband of Vice President Kamala Harris thanked workers at a rural hospital here for their efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Then he asked everyone in Nebraska to do their part, too.
Get the shot, Douglas Emhoff said.
“When it’s your turn, get the vaccine,” he said. “It’s safe, it’s painless and they work.”
Second gentleman Emhoff was in Nebraska on Tuesday to promote the massive $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, particularly highlighting provisions dealing with health care. In addition to his hospital stop, Emhoff visited a vaccination clinic and heard the concerns of local health officials, including the need for additional staffing and improved rural broadband.
Emhoff’s visit to Nebraska was about both politics and policy.
President Joe Biden has said former President Barack Obama “paid a price” for his reluctance to take a victory lap after passage of the 2009 stimulus package in the midst of the Great Recession. So Biden, Harris and their spouses and Cabinet members have been traveling the country talking of how the American Rescue Plan will impact lives.
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There is no less of a partisan divide over this stimulus bill, which passed Congress without a single GOP vote. The Republican National Committee marked Emhoff’s visit with a statement criticizing the stimulus as a “boondoggle” full of provisions unrelated to the pandemic. They said Nebraskans would “see right through (Democrats’) progressive wish list.”
Emhoff said he did not want to talk politics Tuesday, but noted in an interview that the bill has been “wildly popular.” It has registered 70% support in national polls.
While the stimulus bill is best known for those $1,400 cash payments Americans have recently received, Emhoff on Tuesday focused on public health.
The bill increased subsidies available for those who obtain their health insurance through the marketplaces of the Affordable Care Act. The White House said the plan also includes provisions specifically supporting rural hospitals with vaccination administration, telehealth services, and rural workforce programs.
Emhoff noted that Tuesday was the 11th anniversary of passage of the ACA. He encouraged Nebraskans to look into the ACA provisions of the stimulus to see if they are eligible for the increased subsidies.
“It’s worked so well,” he said. “And now with President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, it’s even better.”
In visiting with health care workers at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Emhoff said he was impressed by how passionate they are about their work during the pandemic.
It really has been all hands on deck. Emhoff said he had learned that the hospital’s chief administrator, Manny Banner, had rolled up her sleeves to help out with COVID testing and vaccinations.
“I really applaud you for leading from the front,” he said.
Terrin Leehy joined the hospital’s emergency department in August just in time for COVID’s fall surge in Nebraska. Things at times got stressful and hairy, she said.
“We were stretched pretty thin,” she said. “It was scary, but you really did feel like a superhero.”
Now Leehy is part of the community’s vaccination efforts, which she said has been equally as rewarding.
“It’s so encouraging,” she said. “People are so excited to be getting these vaccines.”
At the vaccination site in a church next to the hospital, Terra Uhing, director of the Three Rivers Public Health Department, told Emhoff that the pandemic’s impact will be around for a long time. There are more people dealing with mental health issues and also people who have not taken care of their general health in the past year, including putting off cancer screenings.
Both she and hospital officials stressed to Emhoff the need to improve internet connectivity in rural areas, which has hampered efforts to get people signed up for vaccinations.
As Emhoff left, he encouraged the vaccination clinic workers.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” he said. “We’re almost there.”
Our best Omaha staff photos of March 2021
Our best Omaha staff photos of March 2021
Parker and her son DeVaughn, 10, at B&B Boxing Academy. Parker, a single mom, works while DeVaughn is at school. Afterward, the two head to the gym six days a week.
Maria Corpuz, 25, who is Filipina-American, in her Omaha home on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Callee, a bull elephant, is the largest elephant at the zoo, weighing in at 9,080 pounds. He fathered the calf due next year.
Rebecca Wyatt gives Claire, the Henry Doorly Zoo’s pregnant elephant, a treat during a training exercise Thursday. “We wanted to build a multigenerational herd here, and now we’re on our way toward achieving that goal,” said Dennis Pate, CEO and executive director of the zoo.
From left, volunteers Reichard German, Don Streeter, Jerry Leapley and Jay Johnson, serve up to-go order during a St. Patrick's Day Dinner at the Tangier Shrine Center in Omaha on Wednesday. The fundraiser to benefit Tangier Shrine activities and operations has been conducted in Omaha for more than 30 years.
The turnout gear of Dennis Bender, a Ponca Hills firefighter who died fighting a fire last week, sits on the back of a firetruck during his funeral procession on Tuesday.
Mike Prucha, from right, Eric Paulsen, Nolan Peek, and Roger Peek, all with the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department, stand as a funeral procession for Dennis Bender passes by the Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department north of Omaha on Tuesday. Bender, 78, was Nebraska's longest-serving paramedic when he died of a medical emergency while battling a brush fire on March 10.
Justin Thompson and Dillon Dierks, both with Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue, stand opposite Eric Paulsen and Mike Prucha, both with the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department, as a funeral procession for Dennis Bender passes by the Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department north of Omaha on Tuesday. Bender, 78, was Nebraska's longest-serving paramedic when he died of a medical emergency while battling a brush fire on March 10.
Millard North's Hunter Sallis reacts after Bellevue West's Chucky Hepburn steals the ball.
People observe the national anthem before the Millard North/Bellevue West Class A title game.
Beatrice's Jace Pethoud lands on Elkhorn's Dane Petersen during the second half of the Class B championship on Saturday,
Auburn's Cameron Binder blows a kiss after he defeated Adams Central for the C1 championship on Saturday,
Auburn's Ryan Bender keeps the ball from going out of bounds after racing Adams Central's Lucas Bohlen for the ball in the first half during the C1 championship on Saturday,
Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Jason Sjuts holds onto the ball as Ethan Keller calls timeout while Howells-Dodge's Lance Brester, left, and Blake Sindelar right, trie to get the ball from Sjuts with 1.1. seconds left and the score tied in regulation during the D1 championship on Saturday.
Law enforcement respond to Highway 6 and I-80 in Lincoln on Friday, March 12, 2021. An Omaha police officer was shot at Westroads Mall in Omaha, and a police chase led to the exit near Waverly.
The sun rises over an E-4B Nightwatch aircraft at the Lincoln Airport on Thursday. Runway renovations have forced the planes to move out of Offutt Air Force Base.
Military personnel clean the cockpit window of a E-4B Nightwatch aircraft before it takes off at the Lincoln Airport on Thursday. Runway renovations have forced the planes to move out of Offutt Air Force Base.
Chris Kemp, left, and Neal Gloede, use a lift to install a sculpture, called Naga, inside the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory as part of the Fantastical Folklore exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens on Wednesday. Gloede works at the Lauritzen and Kemp is the artist that created the piece. They are mounting on the trunk of a palm tree that is no longer alive.
Waverly's Andrew Heffelfinger and his teammates celebrate defeating Omaha Skutt.
Millard West's James Conway and Lincoln Pius X's Charles Hoiberg both reach out for possession of the ball at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday.
Elkhorn's Caden Reynolds attempts to steal the ball from Platteview's Ezra Stewart.
Sisters Annalia, 2, and Brenny Zepeda, 9, play outside their home near 37th Street and Bedford Avenue on Monday.
From left,Omaha's, Chris Esposito, Harrison Denk and Jack Lombardi roam the outfield against Creighton on Friday,
Omaha's Zach Munson (30) pitches to Creighton's Parker Upton (6) in the Creighton vs. Omaha baseball game, UNO's home opener at Tal Anderson Field on Friday. Creighton won the game 10-3.
Omaha's Chris Esposito (3) slams into the right field wall after missing a catch in the Creighton vs. Omaha baseball game, UNO's home opener at Tal Anderson Field on Friday. Creighton won the game 10-3.
Jenny Kros, along with her sons Hudson, left, and Lincoln right, watch Omaha take on Creighton from a hill just outside of the newly opened Tal Anderson Field on Friday, March 05, 2021. Jenny is married to Mike Kros, who played baseball at UNO.
Humphrey St. Francis players celebrate after their win against Mullen.
Winnebago's Madeline Cleveland high fives teammates before their game against Grand Island Central.
Former Sen. Ernie Chambers does push-ups before receiving his second COVID-19 vaccine at the Charles Drew Health Center within the Omaha Home for Boys on Wednesday.
22Elkhorn North cheerleaders hold up wolf paws during a free throw attempt against Omaha Gross.
Elkhorn North's Reese Booth fights for a rebound with Omaha Gross' Rachel Culhane.
Millard South's Mya Babbitt fights for the ball with Lincoln East's Zoie Armstrong at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday.
Lincoln East's Chase Kavanaugh, Morgan Witherspoon, Drake Heywood and Ethan Schainost show frustration after a foul is made against Lincoln East at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday.
As the final buzzer sounds, Millard South players celebrate and Papillion-La Vista players and cheerleaders walk off the court following the boys basketball district final game in Papillion on Monday. Millard South won 35-34 and moves on to the state tournament.
Papillion-La Vista's Aidan Graham (4) celebrates a three-pointer in the boys basketball district final game in Papillion on Monday. Millard South won 35-34 and moves on to the state tournament.
Floodwaters from the Platte River cover Ridgeland Avenue in Fremont on Monday.
cordes@owh.com, 402-444-1130, twitter.com/henrycordes
Henry J. Cordes
Reporter - Metro News
Henry is a general assignment reporter, but his specialty is deep dives into state issues and public policy. He's also into the numbers behind a story, yet to meet a spreadsheet he didn't like. Follow him on Twitter @HenryCordes. Phone: 402-444-1130.
