Health care

Announces Obama Administration endorsement of Healthy Families Act

11/10/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris today testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families regarding workplace flexibility and paid leave in the context of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. Harris expressed the administration's strong support for the Healthy Families Act as a way to provide workplace flexibilities and increased economic security.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) attended a Senate hearing examining the problem of H1N1 being spread by workers who can’t afford to miss work when they are sick. Senator Murray gave an opening statement pushing for passage of the Healthy Families Act that would allow workers to earn up to 56 hours of paid leave to care for themselves or their family. This would benefit workers and businesses and help prevent the spread of H1N1 by ensuring that employees have the ability to stay home when they are contagious.

This is especially important for workers who may interact with individuals who are particularly vulnerable to the flu, such as those with underlying health conditions or women who are pregnant.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a press conference today, Senator Ted Kaufman (D-DE) and fellow Democratic Senators Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Paul Kirk (D-MA) joined a small business owner to discuss how health insurance reform will provide stable, affordable coverage for the middle class.

Under the current system, the cost of health care rises three times faster than wages and continues to eat away the paychecks of hard-working Americans. Reform will lower costs and ensure that middle class families will have the health care coverage that they need.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that $98,351.00 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are being allocated to the State of Illinois to combat and reduce health care associated infections (HAIs). HAIs are infections some patients acquire when they are in a health care setting such as a hospital or outpatient clinic.

Senator Burris and the Democratic-led Congress passed the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that was signed into law by President Obama in February.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - House Democrats passed an historic bill last week 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 »

10 November 2009 -- Washington, D.C. Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding his vote for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Nearly forty-five years ago, Congress enacted a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid plan which, to date, provides poor and low income families in Mississippi with health care coverage. Passage of The Affordable Health Care for America Act will have the same monumental significance that Medicare and Medicaid has provided for many Americans. It is my hope that the Senate will move swiftly to pass a similar version of the House bill to provide quality and affordable health care for all Americans.”    » read more »

Bipartisan Bill Supported by Congressman Space, AARP, AMA

11/10/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fighting to overcome a health care crisis that has crippled Ohio’s seniors, working families, rural health care providers, and small businesses, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) supported a bipartisan health care bill in the House of Representatives that will save consumers who are legal residents more than $5000 in premiums and will save seniors thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act has been endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the nation’s largest seniors group, as well as the American Medical Association (AMA), the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules applauded the American Association of Retired Persons and joined them in praising the Affordable Health Care for America Act, noting it would greatly help senior citizens.

“I’m proud to see that in the many organizations that have signed on to support this bill, AARP has joined our coalition and endorsed our bill,” said Slaughter. “They represent 40 million seniors nationwide and understand that this bill will do more to protect seniors and bring down their medical costs than any other single piece of legislation in decades. The reason health care will succeed this time around is because we have support from so many important groups like AARP.”    » read more »

"Doesn't Provide Enough Reform"

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 3962, the House health care reform legislation.

“There is no question that our nation’s health care system is broken. Over the past few months, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents and received thousands of calls, letters and emails about health care reform. I thank everyone in Western North Carolina who so willingly shared their stories and concerns with me. It is clear to me that we, as a country, are failing to provide enough Americans with affordable options to manage their health care, prevent illness and treat existing conditions.”    » read more »

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 »

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 »