Cortez Masto’s trip focused on her work to protect rural health care and drive rural economic development
Pahrump, Nev. – Last week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured Pershing, Humboldt, Lander, Eureka, Elko, White Pine, Lincoln, Esmeralda, and Nye Counties to discuss her work to support Nevada’s rural communities, support their local economies, and help hardworking Nevadans – from ranchers to law enforcement – across the state. She visited the Thacker Pass mine site in Winnemucca, toured three medical centers to highlight the impacts of the Republican tax bill on rural hospitals, and discussed her MORE Grants Package, which would help Nevada’s rural communities receive more federal funding. This trip marks the completion of Cortez Masto’s annual tour of all 17 counties in Nevada.
“Rural counties in the Silver State have strong communities, enterprising small businesses, and unique histories,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Nevadans from every corner of our state this week, and I look forward to continuing to fight for our rural communities in the Senate.”
Pershing County
In Lovelock, Senator Cortez Masto met with elected leaders from Pershing County and the City of Lovelock to discuss community priorities like public safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Cortez Masto has been fighting for increased funding in law enforcement departments like the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office with her Invest to Protect Act.
Humboldt County
In Winnemucca, Senator Cortez Masto visited the Thacker Pass Lithium project. She toured the construction site of the mine’s state-of-the-art processing plant and highlighted her work in the Senate to support Thacker Pass and Nevada’s mining industry, spur clean energy development, and create good-paying jobs in the state.
She toured the Winnemucca Juvenile Transitional Living Center, the first transitional living center operated by a juvenile justice agency in state, and highlighted her work to support youth mental health and at-risk youth.
She also visited Humboldt General Hospital. She discussed the threat that Medicaid cuts in the Republican tax law pose to rural hospitals and committed to continuing to fight to protect health care for rural Nevadans. Over 27 percent of residents in Humboldt County rely on Medicaid for coverage.
Lander County
In Battle Mountain, Senator Cortez Masto visited the Battle Mountain General Hospital which, like Humboldt General, could face service reductions and reduced access to care due to Medicaid cuts in the new Republican tax law. Close to a quarter of the population of Lander County are Medicaid recipients.
Eureka County
Senator Cortez Masto toured the Eureka County Sheriff’s Office Crescent Valley Substation with Eureka County Sheriff Miles Umina and spoke with first responders about the need to continue supporting firefighters, EMS, and police officers in rural and frontier communities.
Elko County
In Elko, Senator Cortez Masto toured the Western Folklife Center and discussed the unique cultural contributions of rural counties in the Silver State, as well as her efforts to protect federal funding for cultural centers like the Western Folklife Center. The center not only works to preserve the culture of the American West but also supports the local economy by attracting visitors and promoting Elko as a travel destination.
In Wells, Cortez Masto met with the Shoesole Ranching Collective, a group of cattle ranching families. They discussed her work to support the ranching community in rural Nevada. Cortez Masto has been champion for Nevada ranchers, from her support of strategic grazing to reduce wildfire risks to her efforts to regulate xylazine while allowing its use by ranchers and veterinarians. She also met with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Katheryn Basso, a local entrepreneur and small business owner.
White Pine County
In McGill, Senator Cortez Masto toured the McGill Drugstore Museum, a former drug store with more than 30,000 items and prescription records dating back to 1915. Cortez Masto is a champion for Nevada travel and tourism, and that includes rural gems like the McGill Drugstore.
Lincoln County
In Caliente, Senator Cortez Masto toured the Grover C. Dils Medical Center, which serves the residents of Northern Lincoln County and the surrounding areas. Senator Cortez Masto has helped deliver critical funding to the Grover C. Dils Medical Center’s through two Community Project Grants to support a new, state-of-the-art clinic in Caliente. She fiercely opposed the recently-passed Republican tax bill, which threatens rural hospitals by cutting Medicaid funding that is vital for sustaining lifesaving care in these communities.
Esmeralda County
In Goldfield, Senator Cortez Masto met with Esmeralda County School District (ECSD) Superintendent Jonathan Firme, who oversees the smallest school district in the State of Nevada. Cortez Masto has worked to secure school infrastructure investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, like her Connected Rural Schools Act, which ensures increased internet access to students in rural areas.
Nye County
In Pahrump, Senator Cortez Masto met with the team at Nye Communities Coalition, a non-profit that provides services such as food assistance, workforce development, transportation, new parent classes, and addiction prevention. The recently-passed Republican tax law will strain the Coalition by cutting critical funding they rely on for food assistance and other vital programming.
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