Health

WASHINGTON, DC -- November 10, 2009 – Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, released the following statement committing herself to vote against health care reform that erodes a woman’s right to choose. As a co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus and member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Schakowsky has fought to expand women’s rights and improve health care for all women. Rep. Schakowsky has added her name to letters that are being sent to the President and the Speaker, plainly establishing her position.    » read more »

Reduce Costs, Expand Coverage, and Preserve Patient Choice

11/07/09 -- Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Tom Perriello voted in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, to make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and reduce the federal deficit. He released the following statement:    » read more »

Payne Commends Bill for Lowering Costs, Reducing Deficit

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, House Democrats passed an historic bill that reforms our nation's health insurance system, brings down the deficit and expands access to affordable, quality health care to nearly every American. The Affordable Health Care for America Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves our choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The health care reform bill approved by the House of Representatives late Saturday night would create jobs, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said on Monday. New funding in health care and the more efficient use of existing funds would result in job creation and a boost to the economy, Congressman Pallone added.

"The health care sector is a significant part of the economy that would gain a major boost under the health reform legislation," said Pallone, a key author of the bill. "More money would be directed to health care at all levels and the funds would be used more efficiently."    » read more »

Stupak-Pitts Amendment Effectively Bans Abortion Coverage in All Plans in the Exchange, including the Public Health Insurance Options and All Private Health Insurance Plans

10 November 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado and U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, today sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a meeting to discuss reproductive health in health care reform and ensure the rights of all women are protected. The letter is signed by a total of 90 Pro-Choice Members of Congress and seeks a meeting with President Obama at the earliest possible date.    » read more »

States not doing enough to help smokers quit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2009) -- As the debate over health care reform dominates the media and political arena, a new American Lung Association report finds that states aren't doing enough to help smokers quit – and policymakers must fix this in the health care reform process. In its new report, Helping Smokers Quit: State Cessation Coverage 2009, the American Lung Association advocates for a national prevention and wellness strategy that targets reducing tobacco use by helping smokers quit and preventing them from starting. Key among these strategies is the full coverage of clinically proven smoking cessation treatments for all smokers.    » read more »

Outlines details to guide efforts toward making the health system better for patients and physicians

Nov. 9, 2009 -- HOUSTON – The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates today voted on health system reform policies, reaffirming the AMA’s commitment to health system reform. The AMA's House of Delegates is the nation's broadest, most inclusive assembly of physicians and medical students. Delegates representing every state and medical specialty debate and vote on behalf of their physician peers.    » read more »

Civil Rights Groups Applaud Inclusion Of Strong Public Option

(Washington, DC) – The NAACP, National Urban League and The Black Leadership Forum commend Congress for passing a bill that will reform the current health care system. The bill will include a strong public option, and is expected to offer affordable and quality health care for all Americans.

"Tonight, our congress people made a decision to stop letting so many of our neighbors die for lack of affordable health care coverage. We applaud them for including the public option. The public option means more choice, more competition, lower costs, more families covered, and few forced into bankruptcy," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “    » read more »

House Delivers On Election Promise. Now Is Time For Senate To Act

November 9, 2009 -- The following is the statement of Anna Burger, Chair, Change To Win, on the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

After generations of struggle and decades of delay, the U.S House of Representatives had the courage to act---and, to pass historic reform legislation to assure every American, regardless of age or income, access to high quality, affordable health care. The House’s action this November is why working men and women turned out at the polls last November. Health care is a key economic concern of working families—and, national health care reform is key to economic recovery and security for working families.    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- SAN ANTONIO – Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced initiatives to expand and improve mental health support programs for veterans and their families utilizing state funds marked for veterans mental health.

“The men and women of the military make the ultimate sacrifice to leave their families and loved ones and serve our country fighting in distant lands,” Gov. Perry said. “While observing Veterans’ Day this week, we cannot forget to support these brave Americans and their families when they return home by ensuring they have access to the health care and benefits promised when they made their own promise to defend this nation, and by ensuring a seamless transition to civilian life and providing any support they need.”    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement regarding the passage of health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"I want to commend the United States House of Representatives, especially members of the New Jersey delegation, for the passage of this historic health care reform legislation. For far too long, working families have suffered and faced financial ruin at the hands of a health care industry dominated by corporate self-interest. Yesterday, we took a tremendous step toward changing that system.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that 3,000 bottles of pediatric Tamiflu from the federal government is being distributed today to 29 hospitals and clinics across Connecticut.

Governor Rell said that pediatric Tamiflu is being delivered today to 17 acute care hospitals that have pediatric treatment programs and 12 community health clinics, which treat underserved populations in the state.

“Having Tamiflu on hand will enable our clinicians across the state to treat children’s symptoms as soon as possible,” Governor Rell said. “We continue to do all we can to help medical personnel at hospitals and clinics treat the growing cases of H1N1 influenza among children.”    » read more »

Urges Continued Work on Balanced Approach that Won’t Burden States with Unfair Costs

11/07/2009 --
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement on the need for comprehensive health care reform and the need for any reform measure to ensure that states are not placed with an unfair financial burden:

“I have long supported comprehensive health care reform and I am very encouraged by the progress happening in Congress, moving the nation closer than ever before to fixing our broken health care system. But, while I believe that successful elements of reform have been proposed in one form or another, additional work is required to ensure the final reform package contains the necessary balance to ensure success.    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, issued the following statement commending the House of Representatives for passing comprehensive health care reform legislation. The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 220-215.

“Last night’s passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act brings this nation one step closer to comprehensive health care reform.

“I applaud the House of Representatives for taking such a strong vote in favor of the American people and against our broken health care system.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement regarding his position on health-care.

“A civilized, democratic society like ours should help maintain the health and welfare of all our citizens. No one should be denied medical care or lose coverage because they can’t afford to pay to see a medical professional. Our system as it stands today is broken. Insurance premiums are rising out of control, thousands are losing coverage every day and millions of Americans are unable to attain basic health-care for themselves and their families.    » read more »