The Hill

It is “ambitious” but still possible to finish a debate over healthcare reform this year, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said Tuesday.

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“There’s just not a lot of time left this year,” Cardin said during an appearance on the liberal Bill Press Radio Show. “We’ll need a couple of weeks on the floor of the Senate to complete our work, and that’s being optimistic.”

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“I think that it is possible that we complete a bill and get it to the president before the end of the year, but I think that’s a very, very ambitious schedule, and everything would have to fall into place,” Cardin added. “Rarely does that happen in the United States Congress.”

Press Release of Senator Cardin
CARDIN SAYS CONGRESS IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD IN HEALTH CARE REFORM THAT WILL ENSURE ALL AMERICANS GET QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

Contact: Susan Sullam: 410-962-4436
Friday, October 16, 2009

Click here for a PDF Document

COLUMBIA, MD – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today met with doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and Howard County community health care leaders at Howard County General’s Wellness Center to update them on health care reform efforts in Congress.

Senator Cardin told the group that House and Senate leaders are now working on melding five separate bills into one that will pass both chambers. He went on to say: “Just as we passed Medicare in 1965, which ensured that seniors would have access to health insurance, we are close to passing an historic measure that will significantly improve the health and well being of all Americans.

“The debate on health care reform has been a healthy one for our nation. I have treasured every opportunity to hear first-hand from doctors, nurses, and other medical providers who are on the front lines of America’s health care system. Now it is time to act.

“As Congress moves forward, I am committed to health care reform that will build on our current system of private, employer-based insurance. We also must find ways to spend our health care dollars more wisely so that we can bring down the escalating costs of health care that threaten all American families. Part of spending our health care dollars more wisely must be to focus on prevention and wellness, and to better manage chronic illnesses that often lead to more costly hospitalizations if left untreated.”

Senator Cardin told the group that he expects health care to be debated on the Senate floor by the end of October. “I believe Congress will pass health care reform before the December holidays.”

Kratovil release

Kratovil Takes Constituents’ Healthcare Reform Concerns to House Leadership

09/28/09

Leads Freshman Colleagues on Letter to Leadership highlighting the need for inter-State competition, tort reform, and deficit neutrality

In a letter sent to House Leadership earlier today, Congressman Frank Kratovil and a group of his fellow freshman Members of Congress urged their party’s Congressional leaders to consider adopting a number of proposals raised by their constituents regarding healthcare reform. The letter, which grew out of the thousands of conversations each of the freshman members have had with constituents during and since the August recess, urges House Leadership to address concerns about deficit neutrality, interstate competition, tort reform, and small business protections.

“The goal of any health care reform must be to protect and expand patient choice, rein in skyrocketing costs for consumers and businesses, and break down the barriers that prevent millions of Americans from accessing coverage,” said Rep. Kratovil. “In a debate this important, it is critical that we listen to our constituents. The proposals we conveyed in this letter would improve this legislation for all Americans.”

In July, Rep. Kratovil publicly called on his party’s leaders to delay a vote on health care reform legislation until after the August district work period, arguing that Members of Congress needed more time to listen to their constituents’ thoughts and concerns about healthcare reform. During the work period, Kratovil hosted a dozen public meetings across the district, spoke with thousands of constituents on three Telephone Town Hall forums, and visited with numerous providers and stakeholders to seek broad input and feedback. After returning to Washington, Kratovil compared notes with a number of his freshman colleagues, who had heard many similar ideas and concerns during their own town hall meetings.

“When we first came to Congress, our senior colleagues would joke that freshman are supposed to be seen rather than heard. But on an issue as important as healthcare reform, we all feel a responsibility to make sure that House Leadership hears what our constituents are thinking,” said Rep. Kratovil. “We cannot afford to let obstructionists derail this debate, but nor should we be afraid to acknowledge that many of the concerns being raised are real and legitimate. Personally, I think our leaders ought to take this opportunity to step back, acknowledge and address these concerns, and show the American people that their voices are being heard.”

The letter, signed by Kratovil and 9 Freshman Democratic colleagues, supports proposals to:

• Protect Medicare and extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, including closure of the Medicare Part D prescription drug “doughnut hole” and empowering Medicare to negotiate cheaper drug prices;
• Guarantee 100% deficit neutrality, stating that “any health care reform legislation that increases our national deficit or debt is a non-starter for us.” Specifically, the letter notes the need to “bend the cost curve” in the long run;
• Increase competition across state lines as a key component of reducing costs, “allowing all businesses and individuals the opportunity to purchase insurance from entities beyond their state lines;”
• Address tort costs by reducing litigation, medical error, and overutilization, proposing real reforms such as “Certificate of Merit” provisions and “Early Offer” programs;
• Allow every American the opportunity to choose the same quality healthcare that Members of Congress enjoy;
• Incentivize wellness and preventive care and encourage personal responsibility for living healthier lifestyles; and
• Protect small businesses and allow them to calculate for themselves how health care reform would impact their bottom line.

“The message I have heard from my constituents is clear: we need reform, but we need to take the time to get it right. This letter outlines common sense reforms that will cut costs, increase competition, and protect seniors,” said Rep. Kratovil. “Anything short of this isn’t real reform.”

Click here to view the letter.

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WBAL.com

In the wake of this week’s beating of a black fisherman in an apparent hate crime, a leader of the Jewish community says hate speech becoming more acceptable.

Speaking at a City Hall news conference with Mayor Sheila Dixon and clergy leaders on the beating of James Privitt, Art Abramson said that he’s heard hate speech at the recent town meetings on health care reform..

The executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council said he is bothered by comparisons of various health care reform plans to Nazi atrocities.

“Identifying this health care plan as a Nazi like plan shows how quickly we are accepting out there these comparisons…comparisons that are wrong as these people have no idea of what happens when we begin to see Nazi like plans,” Abramson said.

Abramson says as hate speech becomes more acceptable in conversation, incidents like this week’s beating will increase.

“This environment out there can ultimately lead to people getting hurt,” Abramson said.

“Not that long ago these issues can translate into reality, and more an more we’re accepting it and legitimizing it.”

Previously:
Sex offender arrested in Ft. Armistead Park attack

The Maryland chapter of Americans for Progress is having a rally at City Dock in Annapolis at 6 p.m. Thursday. This is the same place AFP also sponsored Tea Parties in the past.