Border Security Technology
I just returned from the Texas-Mexico border where I saw the need to better incorporate technology into our border security strategy so we can support our federal agents who are stretched thin. When I returned to Washington I immediately offered amendments to a Homeland Security Science and Technology bill that will strengthen border security and save taxpayers money.
The amendments passed without opposition. The Department of Defense has a wealth of technology it uses along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. One of my amendments encourages the Department of Homeland Security to consider using DoD technologies along the US-Mexico border and elsewhere. We ought to use technology thats tested and proven and that taxpayers have already paid for instead of duplicating effort and cost.
Another amendment authorizes training of state and local first responders to make sure they can protect themselves from cyber attacks..
Healthcare Update
Last week a comprehensive list of Medicare cuts in the new healthcare reform law was released totaling $528.9 billion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also released the final Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D rates for the 2011 calendar year which reflect $202 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. Unfortunately these cuts will cause millions of seniors to lose health benefits and choices or lose access to Medicare Advantage entirely. I will continue to fight for the repeal of this legislation and support the lawsuit against the constitutionality of the bill.
The House passed a doc fix" which will save doctors from a 21 cut in Medicare reimbursements. Unfortunately this fix" is only valid through April 30 2010. This reimbursement problem should have been addressed in the health reform bill but was neglected by Democrats so they could make the cost appear lower. This bill adds another $18 billion to our record deficit. I have cosponsored H.R. 3693 the Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2009 which provides a permanent fix and offsets costs.
New Media
Today we begin a New Media challenge with some of our fellow House members. If you have not already please sign up to follow Congressman McCaul on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mccaulpressshop.
Texas Insider TV has showcased Congressman McCaul in its inaugural Inside the Issues segment combining video of McCauls discussions with small business about the impact of healthcare reform with easy to access facts and figures on this issue.
Border Security Technology
I just returned from the Texas-Mexico border where I saw the need to better incorporate technology into our border security strategy so we can support our federal agents who are stretched thin. When I returned to Washington I immediately offered amendments to a Homeland Security Science and Technology bill that will strengthen border security and save taxpayers money.
The amendments passed without opposition. The Department of Defense has a wealth of technology it uses along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. One of my amendments encourages the Department of Homeland Security to consider using DoD technologies along the US-Mexico border and elsewhere. We ought to use technology thats tested and proven and that taxpayers have already paid for instead of duplicating effort and cost.
Another amendment authorizes training of state and local first responders to make sure they can protect themselves from cyber attacks..
Healthcare Update
Last week a comprehensive list of Medicare cuts in the new healthcare reform law was released totaling $528.9 billion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also released the final Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D rates for the 2011 calendar year which reflect $202 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. Unfortunately these cuts will cause millions of seniors to lose health benefits and choices or lose access to Medicare Advantage entirely. I will continue to fight for the repeal of this legislation and support the lawsuit against the constitutionality of the bill.
The House passed a doc fix" which will save doctors from a 21 cut in Medicare reimbursements. Unfortunately this fix" is only valid through April 30 2010. This reimbursement problem should have been addressed in the health reform bill but was neglected by Democrats so they could make the cost appear lower. This bill adds another $18 billion to our record deficit. I have cosponsored H.R. 3693 the Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2009 which provides a permanent fix and offsets costs.
New Media
Today we begin a New Media challenge with some of our fellow House members. If you have not already please sign up to follow Congressman McCaul on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mccaulpressshop.
Texas Insider TV has showcased Congressman McCaul in its inaugural Inside the Issues segment combining video of McCauls discussions with small business about the impact of healthcare reform with easy to access facts and figures on this issue.
