The North Dakota Way

Congressman Rick Berg
Candidate for U.S. Senate
Rep. Rick Berg likes to talk about doing things "The North Dakota Way" but since he went to Washington, Berg has done things the "Washington Way" -- voting for whatever his party leaders ask regardless of what it means for us. Berg claims to support seniors in North Dakota but votes to raise their drug costs in Congress. On issue after issue, Berg says one thing at home and does another in Washington. North Dakota needs a Senator who is willing to put politics aside and work with both parties to create jobs, cut spending, balance the budget and protect North Dakota.
Learn where Rick Berg really stands on the issues

Hospitals

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

Rick Berg Claimed He Supports Fully Funding North Dakota's Rural Hospitals

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What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Rick Berg Voted To Gut Funding For North Dakota's Rural Hospitals

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The North Dakota Way

Heidi Will Work to Protect Our Hospitals


Heidi Heitkamp will defend the Frontier Amendment, which ensures fair funding for our hospitals under Medicare.

The Bismarck Tribune's editorial board wrote "The Frontier Amendment made North Dakota and its peers part of a fair system. It gave the Frontier states an honest share of Medicare reimbursement. It would be inherently dishonest of Congress and the administration to return to an unfair system."

Hospitals

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

In a statement to the Fargo Forum, Berg's spokeswoman said: "Rick supports the provisions found in the Frontier Amendment, which are a matter of fairness – ensuring that Medicare properly reimburses doctors and medical facilities in our rural communities." [Fargo Forum, 7/19/12]

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

In 2011, Rick Berg voted to repeal the Frontier State Amendment, which would slash Medicare reimbursement rates for North Dakota's doctors and rural hospitals by $650 million. This critical program has helped establish greater equity in the Medicare payment structure for rural health care providers that typically have higher costs associated with providing basic but essential health care. [Conrad, 12/22/09; Vote 14, 1/19/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Will Work to Protect Our Hospitals


Heidi Heitkamp will defend the Frontier Amendment, which ensures fair funding for our hospitals under Medicare.

The Bismarck Tribune's editorial board wrote "The Frontier Amendment made North Dakota and its peers part of a fair system. It gave the Frontier states an honest share of Medicare reimbursement. It would be inherently dishonest of Congress and the administration to return to an unfair system."

Hospitals

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

In 2011, Rick Berg voted to repeal the Frontier State Amendment, which would slash Medicare reimbursement rates for North Dakota's doctors and rural hospitals by $650 million. This critical program has helped establish greater equity in the Medicare payment structure for rural health care providers that typically have higher costs associated with providing basic but essential health care. [Conrad, 12/22/09; Vote 14, 1/19/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Will Work to Protect Our Hospitals


Heidi Heitkamp will defend the Frontier Amendment, which ensures fair funding for our hospitals under Medicare.

The Bismarck Tribune's editorial board wrote "The Frontier Amendment made North Dakota and its peers part of a fair system. It gave the Frontier states an honest share of Medicare reimbursement. It would be inherently dishonest of Congress and the administration to return to an unfair system."

Farm Programs

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

Rick Berg Claimed That He Supports the Senate Farm Bill

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What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Berg Voted For the Ryan Budget Plan that Would Slash Crop Insurance And Gut Farm Programs

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The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Farm Programs


With the Farm Bill set to expire this fall, Heidi Heitkamp supports the Senate Farm Bill that preserves the crop insurance and the safety net for production agriculture, and saves $23 billion compared to the current program. [AgWeek, 4/9/12]

Farm Programs

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

In April of 2012, Rick Berg told the Bismarck Tribune: "'To be perfectly clear, I support the Senate bill' ... Berg said it's difficult to explain the importance of the farm bill to colleagues who aren't in districts heavily dependent on agriculture — or approximately 90 percent of the House districts." [Bismarck Tribune, 4/4/12]

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Rick Berg voted for the 2012 Paul Ryan budget, which would cut $180 billion in funds from the Farm Bill over the course of ten years. [Vote 151, 3/29/12; Great Plains Examiner, 2/13/12]

In 2011, Rick Berg voted for the first Ryan Budget, which included a 20 percent cut to crop insurance. The 2012 Ryan budget includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance for 59,500 North Dakotans. [Vote 277, 4/15/11; Reuters, 4/5/11; Fargo Forum, 4/19/12]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Farm Programs


With the Farm Bill set to expire this fall, Heidi Heitkamp supports the Senate Farm Bill that preserves the crop insurance and the safety net for production agriculture, and saves $23 billion compared to the current program. [AgWeek, 4/9/12]

Farm Programs

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Rick Berg voted for the 2012 Paul Ryan budget, which would cut $180 billion in funds from the Farm Bill over the course of ten years. [Vote 151, 3/29/12; Great Plains Examiner, 2/13/12]

In 2011, Rick Berg voted for the first Ryan Budget, which included a 20 percent cut to crop insurance. The 2012 Ryan budget includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance for 59,500 North Dakotans. [Vote 277, 4/15/11; Reuters, 4/5/11; Fargo Forum, 4/19/12]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Farm Programs


With the Farm Bill set to expire this fall, Heidi Heitkamp supports the Senate Farm Bill that preserves the crop insurance and the safety net for production agriculture, and saves $23 billion compared to the current program. [AgWeek, 4/9/12]

Violence Against Women Act

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

After Berg Received Negative Press, He Claimed That He "Has Always Supported A Reauthorization" Of VAWA

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What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Rick Berg Twice Voted Against Considering The Bipartisan Reauthorization Of The Violence Against Women Act That Included Provisions To Safeguard Native Americans

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The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Pushes to Crack Down on Domestic Violence Against Women


Heidi Heitkamp strongly supports the Senate version of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which has critical provisions to help reduce domestic violence in North Dakota's Tribal communities.

Violence Against Women Act

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

According to KVLY: "U.S. Rep. Rick Berg, (R) North Dakota, is clarifying his stance on the Violence Against Women Act, now working its way through the U.S. Senate. 'Rick has always supported a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. This law has always received strong bipartisan support and must be reauthorized,' said Alee Lockman, Berg spokeswoman." [KVLY, 3/22/12]

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

In 2012, Rick Berg twice voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA. Unlike the House version of the bill, the Senate version includes provisions that would strengthen VAWA by resolving certain criminal jurisdictional issues that unfairly protect sex-offenders from being prosecuted on tribal reservations, for the crimes that were committed. [Associated Press, 5/16/12; Vote 87, 4/26/12]
  • March 2012: Berg Voted Against Considering The Reauthorization Of The Senate VAWA. In March of 2012, Rick Berg voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA, which included protections for Native Americans. Berg voted for the previous question, which shutoff debate and prohibited the consideration of an amendment (H. Res. 597) that would've adopted the Senate language. [Vote 139, 3/28/12; Congressional Record, Pg. 19, 3/28/12]
  • May 2012: Berg Voted Against Considering The Reauthorization Of The Senate VAWA. In May of 2012, Rick Berg voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA, which included protections for Native Americans. Berg voted for the previous question, which shutoff debate and prohibited the consideration of an amendment (H. Res. 656) that would've adopted the Senate language. [Vote 254, 5/16/12; Congressional Record, Pg. 25, 5/16/12]
The U.S. Senate Voted To Approve The Reauthorization Of VAWA With Broad Bipartisan Support – Including From Senators Conrad And Hoeven. The U.S. Senate voted to approve the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by 68 to 31. Both Senators Conrad and Hoeven voted in favor of reauthorization. [Vote 87, 4/26/12]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Pushes to Crack Down on Domestic Violence Against Women


Heidi Heitkamp strongly supports the Senate version of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which has critical provisions to help reduce domestic violence in North Dakota's Tribal communities.

Violence Against Women Act

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

In 2012, Rick Berg twice voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA. Unlike the House version of the bill, the Senate version includes provisions that would strengthen VAWA by resolving certain criminal jurisdictional issues that unfairly protect sex-offenders from being prosecuted on tribal reservations, for the crimes that were committed. [Associated Press, 5/16/12; Vote 87, 4/26/12]
  • March 2012: Berg Voted Against Considering The Reauthorization Of The Senate VAWA. In March of 2012, Rick Berg voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA, which included protections for Native Americans. Berg voted for the previous question, which shutoff debate and prohibited the consideration of an amendment (H. Res. 597) that would've adopted the Senate language. [Vote 139, 3/28/12; Congressional Record, Pg. 19, 3/28/12]
  • May 2012: Berg Voted Against Considering The Reauthorization Of The Senate VAWA. In May of 2012, Rick Berg voted against considering the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA, which included protections for Native Americans. Berg voted for the previous question, which shutoff debate and prohibited the consideration of an amendment (H. Res. 656) that would've adopted the Senate language. [Vote 254, 5/16/12; Congressional Record, Pg. 25, 5/16/12]
The U.S. Senate Voted To Approve The Reauthorization Of VAWA With Broad Bipartisan Support – Including From Senators Conrad And Hoeven. The U.S. Senate voted to approve the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by 68 to 31. Both Senators Conrad and Hoeven voted in favor of reauthorization. [Vote 87, 4/26/12]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Pushes to Crack Down on Domestic Violence Against Women


Heidi Heitkamp strongly supports the Senate version of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which has critical provisions to help reduce domestic violence in North Dakota's Tribal communities.

Medicare

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

Rick Berg Claims to Support Seniors

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What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Rick Berg Voted To Gut Medicare

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The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Fights to Protect and Preserve Medicare and Social Security


Heidi Heitkamp believes we made a promise to our seniors, and that we should honor the promises we made to them by protecting Medicare and Social Security.

Medicare

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

In last fall's taxpayer-funded campaign mailers, Rick Berg falsely claimed "I do not support changes in coverage for seniors and near-retirees."

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

On March 29, 2012, Rick Berg voted for the Paul Ryan budget plan, which would significantly gut Medicare and Medicaid while cutting taxes for the rich. [Vote 151, 3/29/12]

Rick Berg Voted To Increase Drug Costs and Kick 11,700 North Dakota Seniors Back Into The Donut Hole. The Berg/Ryan budget would "re-open" the prescription drug donut hole, costing the average North Dakota senior $11,247 in out of pocket expenses by 2022. The "donut hole" forces seniors to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs after their yearly drug expenses exceed $2,840, and full coverage doesn't resume until total drug spending hits $6,447 for the year. To date, 9,983 of North Dakota's seniors have saved a total of $5,915,547 on their prescription drugs, due to the closing of the prescription drug donut hole. . [ [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2/2/12; DPCC, 4/20/11]
  • Rick Berg Voted To Force 96,657 North Dakotans Onto Vouchers When They Retire. If the Berg/Ryan budget were to become law, starting in 2023, all North Dakota seniors will receive a voucher to purchase either private insurance or traditional Medicare. There are more than 96,657 near-elderly North Dakotans who are now ages 47-56 who, instead of getting Medicare as we know it when they retire, would only get a voucher to purchase their insurance. Private insurance plans will aggressively pursue the healthiest, least expensive enrollees, thereby allowing Medicare – currently the lifeline for 108,878 North Dakota seniors – to "wither on the vine." [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/20/12, Census, accessed 6/8/12; Kaiser Family Foundation, accessed 6/8/12]
In 2011, Rick Berg Voted To End Medicare As We Know It. In 2011, Rick Berg Berg voted for the House Republican budget blueprint drafted by Paul Ryan that would effectively end Medicare. It calls for converting Medicare for persons currently younger than 55 into a "premium support system" through which the government would pay private insurance companies directly for each enrollee. The resolution was adopted 235-193. [Vote 277, 4/15/11]
  • Wall Street Journal: Ryan Budget Would "Essentially End Medicare." According to the Wall Street Journal: "The [Paul Ryan budget] plan would essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, as a program that directly pays those bills." [Wall Street Journal, 4/04/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Fights to Protect and Preserve Medicare and Social Security


Heidi Heitkamp believes we made a promise to our seniors, and that we should honor the promises we made to them by protecting Medicare and Social Security.

Medicare

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

On March 29, 2012, Rick Berg voted for the Paul Ryan budget plan, which would significantly gut Medicare and Medicaid while cutting taxes for the rich. [Vote 151, 3/29/12]

Rick Berg Voted To Increase Drug Costs and Kick 11,700 North Dakota Seniors Back Into The Donut Hole. The Berg/Ryan budget would "re-open" the prescription drug donut hole, costing the average North Dakota senior $11,247 in out of pocket expenses by 2022. The "donut hole" forces seniors to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs after their yearly drug expenses exceed $2,840, and full coverage doesn't resume until total drug spending hits $6,447 for the year. To date, 9,983 of North Dakota's seniors have saved a total of $5,915,547 on their prescription drugs, due to the closing of the prescription drug donut hole. . [ [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2/2/12; DPCC, 4/20/11]
  • Rick Berg Voted To Force 96,657 North Dakotans Onto Vouchers When They Retire. If the Berg/Ryan budget were to become law, starting in 2023, all North Dakota seniors will receive a voucher to purchase either private insurance or traditional Medicare. There are more than 96,657 near-elderly North Dakotans who are now ages 47-56 who, instead of getting Medicare as we know it when they retire, would only get a voucher to purchase their insurance. Private insurance plans will aggressively pursue the healthiest, least expensive enrollees, thereby allowing Medicare – currently the lifeline for 108,878 North Dakota seniors – to "wither on the vine." [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/20/12, Census, accessed 6/8/12; Kaiser Family Foundation, accessed 6/8/12]
In 2011, Rick Berg Voted To End Medicare As We Know It. In 2011, Rick Berg Berg voted for the House Republican budget blueprint drafted by Paul Ryan that would effectively end Medicare. It calls for converting Medicare for persons currently younger than 55 into a "premium support system" through which the government would pay private insurance companies directly for each enrollee. The resolution was adopted 235-193. [Vote 277, 4/15/11]
  • Wall Street Journal: Ryan Budget Would "Essentially End Medicare." According to the Wall Street Journal: "The [Paul Ryan budget] plan would essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, as a program that directly pays those bills." [Wall Street Journal, 4/04/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Heitkamp Fights to Protect and Preserve Medicare and Social Security

Heidi Heitkamp believes we made a promise to our seniors, and that we should honor the promises we made to them by protecting Medicare and Social Security.

Essential Air

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

Berg Claims to Support Essential Air

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What Rick Berg Does in Washington

Berg Votes to Eliminate Essential Air Funding

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The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Essential Air Service


The Essential Air Service is a critical program that helps connect North Dakota to the world. For local communities, essential air service "mean hours of saved time," for Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake. The Great Plains Examiner explains that "The additional travel time, plus the added convenience that attracts tourists, means tens of millions in economic activity for the towns."

Heidi Heitkamp is Fighting to Protect Essential Air Service in Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake
In a statement to the Jamestown Sun Heidi Heitkamp said: "I support the Essential Air Service program and I'll fight to make sure that North Dakota receives its fair share of funding. Everyone understands we need to get our budget under control but we must maintain the transportation infrastructure." [Jamestown Sun, 4/17/12]

Essential Air

What Rick Berg Says in North Dakota

According to the Minot Daily News: "'I support it [Essential Air Service]. We need to encourage air service. If we're going to grow jobs here in North Dakota and grow jobs in Jamestown, we need that connection,' Berg told an audience recently at a town hall meeting in Jamestown, where the Jamestown Regional Airport received more than $1.9 million last year to subsidize air travel to and from Minneapolis." [Minot Daily News, 9/7/11]

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

According to the Minot Daily News, Berg "voted for the Federal Aviation Administration bill in the House of Representatives, which would eliminate EAS contracts. The bill would phase out all EAS funding by 2013." [Minot Daily News, 9/7/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Essential Air Service


The Essential Air Service is a critical program that helps connect North Dakota to the world. For local communities, essential air service "mean hours of saved time," for Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake. The Great Plains Examiner explains that "The additional travel time, plus the added convenience that attracts tourists, means tens of millions in economic activity for the towns."

Heidi Heitkamp is Fighting to Protect Essential Air Service in Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake
In a statement to the Jamestown Sun Heidi Heitkamp said: "I support the Essential Air Service program and I'll fight to make sure that North Dakota receives its fair share of funding. Everyone understands we need to get our budget under control but we must maintain the transportation infrastructure." [Jamestown Sun, 4/17/12]

Essential Air

What Rick Berg Does in Washington

According to the Minot Daily News, Berg "voted for the Federal Aviation Administration bill in the House of Representatives, which would eliminate EAS contracts. The bill would phase out all EAS funding by 2013." [Minot Daily News, 9/7/11]

The North Dakota Way

Heidi Stands up for Essential Air Service


The Essential Air Service is a critical program that helps connect North Dakota to the world. For local communities, essential air service "mean hours of saved time," for Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake. The Great Plains Examiner explains that "The additional travel time, plus the added convenience that attracts tourists, means tens of millions in economic activity for the towns."

Heidi Heitkamp is Fighting to Protect Essential Air Service in Jamestown, Dickinson and Devil's Lake
In a statement to the Jamestown Sun Heidi Heitkamp said: "I support the Essential Air Service program and I'll fight to make sure that North Dakota receives its fair share of funding. Everyone understands we need to get our budget under control but we must maintain the transportation infrastructure." [Jamestown Sun, 4/17/12]

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