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Health Care Reform Would Improve Medicare Benefits
Throughout the health care reform debate, opponents have at times used misinformation to erode support for reform efforts, most recently about Medicare benefits. As a New York Times Editorial, “Medicare Scare-Mongering,” explains, the reform legislation under consideration will actually improve benefits for seniors with Medicare. The proposals being considered in the House benefit Medicare beneficiaries by phasing out the donut hole in the prescription drug program, eliminating co-payments for preventive care, and paying doctors to better coordinate care for Medicare patients.
There are additional provisions in the House proposals to make sure Medicare premium dollars are used in the most efficient way. These provisions reduce overpayments to private insurance companies that contract with Medicare to bring their payments in line with the cost of providing care for people with traditional Medicare. They also reduce the yearly increases in payments to hospitals to account for improved productivity, adjustments hospitals have agreed are fair.
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Speed Credit Card Reforms
Ten members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Levin, recently introduced the Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 [H.R. 3639]. The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Maloney of New York, seeks to move up the effective date of the remaining provisions of the Credit CARD Act, which are now scheduled for February and August 2010. Under H.R. 3639, the remaining reforms would take effect on December 1, 2009. The legislation was introduced in response to widespread complaints Members have heard from constituents that credit card companies have been rushing through rate hikes and other changes to card terms ahead of the effective date for the new rules. For more information, click here.
House Approves Funding for Michigan Research Lab
On October 1, the House of Representatives voted 308 to 114 to adopt the final Energy and Water Appropriations Act. This is the annual funding bill for programs carried out by the Department of Energy and the Army Corps of Engineers. The measure includes $12 million that the Michigan Congressional Delegation sought to begin work on a cutting-edge federal research facility that will be located at Michigan State University called the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). FRIB was awarded to MSU last December after a rigorous national competition.
When completed in ten years, FRIB will include a state-of-the-art particle accelerator that will help scientists explore the structure of atoms. The $550 million facility will support 800 construction jobs as well as hundreds of permanent jobs. For more information, click here.
Michigan Awarded $38 Million to Retrain Unemployed Workers
On September 29, the U.S. Department of Labor announced three grants totaling $38 million to Michigan to provide dislocated workers retraining in areas of economic growth, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and management, scientific and technical consulting services. The grants are being made available with funding from the Recovery Act approved by Congress earlier this year.
“Michigan faces an unusual challenge of transforming its economy during a recession, so we continue steps to accelerate job creation and provide more workers the opportunity to retrain for new jobs,” said Rep. Levin. “The DOL grant recognizes that Michigan has both a need and a vigorous plan to help workers transition during this downturn.” For more information, click here.
Rep. Levin Accepting Applications for Nominations to U.S. Service Academies
Rep. Levin’s office is currently accepting applications from students seeking a nomination to one of the four U.S. Service Academies: Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Military Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. For more information, click here.
The Week Ahead
This week the House of Representatives will complete action on the annual funding bill for the Department of Agriculture and related programs. The House is also expected to complete the Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill is the chief policy bill for the Department of Defense.
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