STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – South Dakota Senator John Thune visited Sturgis Wednesday, speaking with area business leaders before touring the vaccination site at Monument Health.

Thune visited with area leaders at the community center, where he spoke about current events in Washington and his thoughts on the new administration.

Among the questions asked was the rising cost of healthcare. Thune says the individual markets are the hardest hit right now because of a lack of competition in the marketplace.

He says working with the Biden Administration has been difficult so far because Democratic leaders are not working with Republicans because they have the majority.

After meeting with area leaders, Thune toured the Vaccination Clinic at Monument Health, where he says the effort to get shots in arms in South Dakota has been impressive.

Thune says he knows some COVID-19 numbers are seeing an increase in some states, but he’s hoping for some normalcy by summer.

Thune also met with area business leaders in Spearfish and Belle Fourche today and toured the vaccination site at Monument Health, Spearfish.

Today, he will be visiting St Francis House in Sioux Falls.