As Congress moves closer to consideration of a health care bill it is important to take a look at how seniors might be impacted by the legislation. There is also a strong concern regarding the lack of transparency in both chambers as important bills like health care reform are debated. And finally it was an exciting moment when the Ares I-X rocket had a successful launch.
The House will most likely vote on H.R. 3962 soon. This bill includes the creation of a government run or public" option that would compete with private insurance plans. To pay for this new program there is a provision to squeeze savings out of Medicare. At a time when Medicare is dangerously close to bankruptcy it is shortsighted to funnel funds into the creation of another government-run program instead of shoring up Medicare for seniors.
A government takeover of health care could sacrifice quality and services for our seniors. The House bill includes more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicare including the following:
$171.8 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage.
$101.6 billion in cuts for hospitals Skilled Nursing Facilities long-term care hospitals inpatient rehab facilities psychiatric facilities and hospice care.
$49.1 billion in cuts for home health care.
$40.1 billion in cuts to outpatient hospitals ambulance service ambulatory surgery centers lab services and durable medical equipment.
$10.2 billion in cuts to Medicare disproportionate hospitals.
$4.3 billion in cuts for imaging services.
Medicare finances are rapidly deteriorating and we should be working on real solutions that ensure the long-term financial stability of Medicare not cutting funding for one group to pay for another. Despite the presidents promise that if you like your current plan you can keep it it is clear many seniors will face harmful consequences if this health care plan becomes law.
I am opposed to removing choice for Texas seniors and do not support cuts to Medicare to pay for a government run health care plan that hurts seniors and limits choice for all Americans and places bureaucrats in charge of personal decisions. We can and must work together to find meaningful solutions that protect seniors and improve quality care for all.
Merriam-Webster defines transparent as the following; a: free from pretense or deceit b: easily detected or seen through c: readily understood d: characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices. In 2006 the Speaker pledged to make this the most honest ethical and open Congress in history.
Yet in my time in Congress we have not seen transparency. One of the first major votes of the year was in opposition to the so called $787 billion stimulus" bill that was 1073 pages long and was not available for review until approximately 12 hours before voting on it.
The President and Congressional leadership promised to provide an open and transparent government and yet negotiations on major pieces of legislation are conducted in private negotiations. That is why I support legislation that would open the process up not only to every member of Congress but also to you the public.
READ THE BILL - Put all bills online for at least 72 hours before they come to a vote. (H. Res. 554 - Reps. John Culberson - TX & Brian Baird - WA; Discharge Petition by Rep. Greg Walden - OR)
BAN PHANTOM AMENDMENTS - Require committees to post bill text online within 24 hours of adoption. (H. Res. 835 - Rep. Lynn Jenkins - KS)
Support an Open and Transparent Conference Committee Process - Calling on any meetings held to determine the final content of national health care legislation be conducted in public under the watchful eye of the American people. (H.Res. 847 - Rep. Vern Buchanan - FL)
Finally on Wednesday NASA reached a critical milestone for the Constellation program in our nations efforts to return to the moon and develop the next generation of human space flight system by launching the ARES 1-X rocket. The fact that this test occurred was a milestone in and of itself but the fact that the test was a complete success is all the more reason to be encouraged about where NASA is headed and how it is going to get there.
The rocket lifted off at 11:30 am from Florida. The flight lasted about six minutes and will provide engineers invaluable information for research purposes. With this flight the agency was able to take one big step toward returning to the moon and they should be applauded for a job well done and encouraged for the hard work ahead.
As Congress moves closer to consideration of a health care bill it is important to take a look at how seniors might be impacted by the legislation. There is also a strong concern regarding the lack of transparency in both chambers as important bills like health care reform are debated. And finally it was an exciting moment when the Ares I-X rocket had a successful launch.
The House will most likely vote on H.R. 3962 soon. This bill includes the creation of a government run or public" option that would compete with private insurance plans. To pay for this new program there is a provision to squeeze savings out of Medicare. At a time when Medicare is dangerously close to bankruptcy it is shortsighted to funnel funds into the creation of another government-run program instead of shoring up Medicare for seniors.
A government takeover of health care could sacrifice quality and services for our seniors. The House bill includes more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicare including the following:
$171.8 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage.
$101.6 billion in cuts for hospitals Skilled Nursing Facilities long-term care hospitals inpatient rehab facilities psychiatric facilities and hospice care.
$49.1 billion in cuts for home health care.
$40.1 billion in cuts to outpatient hospitals ambulance service ambulatory surgery centers lab services and durable medical equipment.
$10.2 billion in cuts to Medicare disproportionate hospitals.
$4.3 billion in cuts for imaging services.
Medicare finances are rapidly deteriorating and we should be working on real solutions that ensure the long-term financial stability of Medicare not cutting funding for one group to pay for another. Despite the presidents promise that if you like your current plan you can keep it it is clear many seniors will face harmful consequences if this health care plan becomes law.
I am opposed to removing choice for Texas seniors and do not support cuts to Medicare to pay for a government run health care plan that hurts seniors and limits choice for all Americans and places bureaucrats in charge of personal decisions. We can and must work together to find meaningful solutions that protect seniors and improve quality care for all.
Merriam-Webster defines transparent as the following; a: free from pretense or deceit b: easily detected or seen through c: readily understood d: characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices. In 2006 the Speaker pledged to make this the most honest ethical and open Congress in history.
Yet in my time in Congress we have not seen transparency. One of the first major votes of the year was in opposition to the so called $787 billion stimulus" bill that was 1073 pages long and was not available for review until approximately 12 hours before voting on it.
The President and Congressional leadership promised to provide an open and transparent government and yet negotiations on major pieces of legislation are conducted in private negotiations. That is why I support legislation that would open the process up not only to every member of Congress but also to you the public.
READ THE BILL - Put all bills online for at least 72 hours before they come to a vote. (H. Res. 554 - Reps. John Culberson - TX & Brian Baird - WA; Discharge Petition by Rep. Greg Walden - OR)
BAN PHANTOM AMENDMENTS - Require committees to post bill text online within 24 hours of adoption. (H. Res. 835 - Rep. Lynn Jenkins - KS)
Support an Open and Transparent Conference Committee Process - Calling on any meetings held to determine the final content of national health care legislation be conducted in public under the watchful eye of the American people. (H.Res. 847 - Rep. Vern Buchanan - FL)
Finally on Wednesday NASA reached a critical milestone for the Constellation program in our nations efforts to return to the moon and develop the next generation of human space flight system by launching the ARES 1-X rocket. The fact that this test occurred was a milestone in and of itself but the fact that the test was a complete success is all the more reason to be encouraged about where NASA is headed and how it is going to get there.
The rocket lifted off at 11:30 am from Florida. The flight lasted about six minutes and will provide engineers invaluable information for research purposes. With this flight the agency was able to take one big step toward returning to the moon and they should be applauded for a job well done and encouraged for the hard work ahead.
