Yesterday the Senate voted on HR 6331, which was the house version of S 3101. The bill came one vote short of cloture at 58 - 40. Harry Reid once again vote Nay to preserve the right to bring it back up for a vote later. This time both Senators Obama and Clinton showed up to vote Yea on the resolution. Both Oregon Senators voted Yea on the measure. The only other person missing from the vote was Senator Kennedy who had a doctors note due to brain surgery.
Senator McCain was once again unable to show up to vote for senior health care. We need to do more to let Senator McCain know how important this issue is to us. The least he can do as a senator is to show up and vote. I encourage you to go to Senator McCain's website and tell him to show up and vote Yea on the bill. http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/
For the vote details you can go here.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00160
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Medicare Gets Anouther Chance
Last Thursday S. 3101 failed to get through a filibuster in order to receive a vote. So the House took up the cause yesterday and passed HR. 6331. I had an opportunity to speak with the labor liaison for Rep. Wu, and expressed our need for a progressive bill. The House essentially passed the same bill as the senates bill only with less swipes at Medicare advantage.
The Senate is also looking at a doc fix only bill that will only restore payments to doctors but the Alliance does not support that initiative.
Both Oregon Senators voted in favor of S. 3101 but lets not take any chances and let our Senators know we want this bill to pass.
The Senate is also looking at a doc fix only bill that will only restore payments to doctors but the Alliance does not support that initiative.
Both Oregon Senators voted in favor of S. 3101 but lets not take any chances and let our Senators know we want this bill to pass.
Monday, June 23, 2008
OSCRC Supports and Opposes Likely Ballot Measure
On Friday I attended a meeting of the Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens. There they discussed many issues having to do with seniors and persons with disabilities. They also voted to support and oppose some of the 16 likely ballot initiatives for the November election.
These are the current numbers for the bills that the OSCRC took action on and I will update them when they change following official qualification to the ballot.
IRR# 3 Creates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers' Oregon income-tax returns.
Board opinon OPPOSE
This bill would unevenly benefit the wealthiest of Oregon Taxpayer to the tune of $15, 048 vs $1 for middle income tax payers. This would drain $1.2 billion from the 2009-2011 budget and $2.2 billion from the 2011-2013 budgets. This would to major cuts in all services in the state. Steve Novik wrote an op-ed article for the Oregonian on Thursday expressing his opposition as well.
IRR# 25 Penalizes person, entity for using funds collected with public resources for political purposes.
Board opinon OPPOSE
This bill is apart of Bill Sizemore's personal crusade against public service employees unions. This would prevent public employee unions from using dues for political purposes. They have used these dues to fight protect the public from the other noxious Sizemore initiatives in the past and he is looking for pay back.
IRR# 40 Creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain theft, identity theft, forgery, drug, and burglary offenses.
Board opinion OPPOSE
Mandatory minimums will cost massive ammounts of new dollars spent on prisons and do little to improve public safety. It would once again steel money from other services because it is an unfunded mandate. What generally happens in these cases since there is no extra money to spend on prisons, violent offenders are released early so that the mandatory minimum offeses can serve their terms.
IRR# 51 Limits amount of contingent fees that lawyers may charge clients for representation in civil cases
IRR# 53 Court must sanction, under special circumstances, attorneys who file frivolous pleadings or motions in lawsuits
Board opinion OPPOSE
What both of these bills are designed to do is limit the recourse that consumers and the public have legally against corporations. By limiting fees and threatening sanctions it scares or prevents some lawyers who can take cases for the public and consumers who have been injured or wronged by corporations.
IRR# 78 Amends Constitution: Requires 3/4th approval by legislature before it can declare emergency advancing law's effective date
Board opinion OPPOSE
Legislation generally has a 90 day waiting period before taking effect but an emergency clause in the legislation ignores the waiting period and puts the law into immediate affect. By requiring a super majority the bill would seriously slow down the process for things that needs immediate or emergency action.
IRR# 131 Modifies certain criminal sentencing laws; repeals medical marijuana act, replaces with subsidized cannabinoids prescription program.
Board Opinion OPPOSE
This initiative would end the voter approved Medical Marijuana laws and replace it for a government subsidized drug prescription program to the benefit of drug manufacturers. Seniors and persons with disabilities use Marijuana, like any other medication, for a variety of purposes.
IRR# 407 Amends constitution: Provides that May and November property tax elections are decided by a majority of voters.
Board opinion SUPPORT
Super majority passage of bond initiatives have caused most of them to fail leading to a tyranny of the minority. Local bonds are one of the best ways to finance public sector services such as public safety, education, and infrastructure projects. This bill would make it a vote of 50% +1 to get approval and help local municipalities to get the projects they need done.
IRR# 408 Increases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specific repeat property and identity theft crimes; Requires addiction treatment for certain offenders.
Board opinion SUPPORT
"Unlike Mannix's one size fits all mandatory minimums, Ref. 408 targets increased prison time to large scale drug dealers and repeat property offenders. Includes drug treatment in sentencing of persons in custody and who are at risk of reoffending." OurOregon
This is only some of the Initiative likely for approval. The OSCRC only took action on the ones that would affect seniors and persons with disabilities.
These are the current numbers for the bills that the OSCRC took action on and I will update them when they change following official qualification to the ballot.
IRR# 3 Creates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers' Oregon income-tax returns.
Board opinon OPPOSE
This bill would unevenly benefit the wealthiest of Oregon Taxpayer to the tune of $15, 048 vs $1 for middle income tax payers. This would drain $1.2 billion from the 2009-2011 budget and $2.2 billion from the 2011-2013 budgets. This would to major cuts in all services in the state. Steve Novik wrote an op-ed article for the Oregonian on Thursday expressing his opposition as well.
IRR# 25 Penalizes person, entity for using funds collected with public resources for political purposes.
Board opinon OPPOSE
This bill is apart of Bill Sizemore's personal crusade against public service employees unions. This would prevent public employee unions from using dues for political purposes. They have used these dues to fight protect the public from the other noxious Sizemore initiatives in the past and he is looking for pay back.
IRR# 40 Creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain theft, identity theft, forgery, drug, and burglary offenses.
Board opinion OPPOSE
Mandatory minimums will cost massive ammounts of new dollars spent on prisons and do little to improve public safety. It would once again steel money from other services because it is an unfunded mandate. What generally happens in these cases since there is no extra money to spend on prisons, violent offenders are released early so that the mandatory minimum offeses can serve their terms.
IRR# 51 Limits amount of contingent fees that lawyers may charge clients for representation in civil cases
IRR# 53 Court must sanction, under special circumstances, attorneys who file frivolous pleadings or motions in lawsuits
Board opinion OPPOSE
What both of these bills are designed to do is limit the recourse that consumers and the public have legally against corporations. By limiting fees and threatening sanctions it scares or prevents some lawyers who can take cases for the public and consumers who have been injured or wronged by corporations.
IRR# 78 Amends Constitution: Requires 3/4th approval by legislature before it can declare emergency advancing law's effective date
Board opinion OPPOSE
Legislation generally has a 90 day waiting period before taking effect but an emergency clause in the legislation ignores the waiting period and puts the law into immediate affect. By requiring a super majority the bill would seriously slow down the process for things that needs immediate or emergency action.
IRR# 131 Modifies certain criminal sentencing laws; repeals medical marijuana act, replaces with subsidized cannabinoids prescription program.
Board Opinion OPPOSE
This initiative would end the voter approved Medical Marijuana laws and replace it for a government subsidized drug prescription program to the benefit of drug manufacturers. Seniors and persons with disabilities use Marijuana, like any other medication, for a variety of purposes.
IRR# 407 Amends constitution: Provides that May and November property tax elections are decided by a majority of voters.
Board opinion SUPPORT
Super majority passage of bond initiatives have caused most of them to fail leading to a tyranny of the minority. Local bonds are one of the best ways to finance public sector services such as public safety, education, and infrastructure projects. This bill would make it a vote of 50% +1 to get approval and help local municipalities to get the projects they need done.
IRR# 408 Increases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specific repeat property and identity theft crimes; Requires addiction treatment for certain offenders.
Board opinion SUPPORT
"Unlike Mannix's one size fits all mandatory minimums, Ref. 408 targets increased prison time to large scale drug dealers and repeat property offenders. Includes drug treatment in sentencing of persons in custody and who are at risk of reoffending." OurOregon
This is only some of the Initiative likely for approval. The OSCRC only took action on the ones that would affect seniors and persons with disabilities.
Big Week
I have had a big week and I apologize for my lack of posts.
Last month I attended and briefly spoke at the IAM local 1005 meeting. Joan Miller, IAM rep to the ORARA board, secured us a speaking position at the next Eboard meeting. Ron Rogers, Treasurer of ORARA, and I went a presented affiliation papers to the group. The Board approved and sent it to the membership for a vote. On Saturday the membership unanimously approved affiliation to the ORARA. I am very excited to add this affiliate to the ORARA. It is my first and the ORARA's first in two years.
After news of the affiliation reached the rest of the board, information on other affiliates started flying in from them. Its looking to be a great organizing summer for the ORARA, giving us an even bigger voice for our issues headed into November.
Last month I attended and briefly spoke at the IAM local 1005 meeting. Joan Miller, IAM rep to the ORARA board, secured us a speaking position at the next Eboard meeting. Ron Rogers, Treasurer of ORARA, and I went a presented affiliation papers to the group. The Board approved and sent it to the membership for a vote. On Saturday the membership unanimously approved affiliation to the ORARA. I am very excited to add this affiliate to the ORARA. It is my first and the ORARA's first in two years.
After news of the affiliation reached the rest of the board, information on other affiliates started flying in from them. Its looking to be a great organizing summer for the ORARA, giving us an even bigger voice for our issues headed into November.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Contact the Candidates
S. 3101 is still in limbo and if opponents to Medicare are allowed to run out the clock on this bill come July 1st, some seniors will find themselves without a doctor.
Neither Senators John McCain or Barack Obama showed up on Thursday June 12th to vote. You can go http://my.barackobama.com and to http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/ to let them know that you want action on this bill now. We cannot wait for January 09 on this bill.
Neither Senators John McCain or Barack Obama showed up on Thursday June 12th to vote. You can go http://my.barackobama.com and to http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/ to let them know that you want action on this bill now. We cannot wait for January 09 on this bill.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Medicare Bill Fails to Get Enough Senatorial Support
On Thursday, S. 3101 failed to receive the 60 votes needed for cloture with a 54-39 vote. What this means that as of July 1, doctors who treat Medicare patients will get a 10% cut in reimbursements from Medicare. Some doctors will undoubtedly drop some of their Medicare patients. This is not the first time their have been cuts and according to the Medicare Modernization act not the last.
All information including the text of the bill can be found here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN3101:
Here are some of the notable votes.
Yea- Oregon Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden
Nay- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Nevada
Not Voting- Senator Hillary Clinton and Presidential Candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.
A complete voting list can be found here:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00149
I am truly surprised that none of the major presidential contenders bothered to show up and vote for senior and retiree health. It is a true representation of where the issue of Medicare fits into their agenda. What this tells us is that we must do more to let these candidates know how important this issue is to us. Our Issues must be their issues. Pandering is not enough and we must demand more.
Please call, write, email and show up to public forums and let Senators Barack Obama and John McCain know just how disappointed you are in their performance.
All information including the text of the bill can be found here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN3101:
Here are some of the notable votes.
Yea- Oregon Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden
Nay- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Nevada
Not Voting- Senator Hillary Clinton and Presidential Candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.
A complete voting list can be found here:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00149
I am truly surprised that none of the major presidential contenders bothered to show up and vote for senior and retiree health. It is a true representation of where the issue of Medicare fits into their agenda. What this tells us is that we must do more to let these candidates know how important this issue is to us. Our Issues must be their issues. Pandering is not enough and we must demand more.
Please call, write, email and show up to public forums and let Senators Barack Obama and John McCain know just how disappointed you are in their performance.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Support for S3101 Grows
Support for S. 3101 AKA Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 has growing support.
Supporters now include:
American Academy of Opthalmology http://capwiz.com/aao/issues/alert/?alertid=11468561
American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12842.html
American College of Physicians http://www.acponline.org/pressroom/3101.htm
National Association of Chain Drug Stores http://www.prweb.com/releases/Pharmacy_Reimbursement/Medicare_AMP/prweb1010954.htm
And
Zix Corporation http://www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=6931228
Keep up with the phone calls and emails. Its working.
Supporters now include:
American Academy of Opthalmology http://capwiz.com/aao/issues/alert/?alertid=11468561
American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12842.html
American College of Physicians http://www.acponline.org/pressroom/3101.htm
National Association of Chain Drug Stores http://www.prweb.com/releases/Pharmacy_Reimbursement/Medicare_AMP/prweb1010954.htm
And
Zix Corporation http://www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=6931228
Keep up with the phone calls and emails. Its working.
Medicare doc fix (S. 3101) update. Sen Smith is a YES
Not long after my last post I got my email edition of Medicare watch. Here is what they say on the state of the doc fix bill.
"S. 3101 is cosponsored by Senator Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee and Democrat of Montana, together with Senator John Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia; Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine; and Senator Gordon Smith, Republican of Iowa. But Democrats will need Republican support to get the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles and bring the bill to a vote.
Senate Republicans are crafting a competing Medicare package that does not include many of the improvements for people with Medicare. The improvements in the Democratic bill will cost about $4.5 billion over the next five years. The Bush administration has also threatened to veto S. 3101 if it includes any provisions that would limit the ability of insurance companies to market Medicare private health plans without establishing an adequate network of providers.
Both bills would avert a scheduled cut to Medicare reimbursement for doctors and substitute a small increase. "(MEDICARE WATCH, a biweekly electronic newsletter of the Medicare Rights Center Vol. 11, No. 12: June 10, 2008)
So Sen Smith is on board even though he was referred to as a Senator from Iowa. We still need him to do more to turn members of the Republican Caucus. A yes vote in the face of a veto does us no good. Keep up the calls for more action from Sen Smith.
"S. 3101 is cosponsored by Senator Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee and Democrat of Montana, together with Senator John Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia; Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine; and Senator Gordon Smith, Republican of Iowa. But Democrats will need Republican support to get the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles and bring the bill to a vote.
Senate Republicans are crafting a competing Medicare package that does not include many of the improvements for people with Medicare. The improvements in the Democratic bill will cost about $4.5 billion over the next five years. The Bush administration has also threatened to veto S. 3101 if it includes any provisions that would limit the ability of insurance companies to market Medicare private health plans without establishing an adequate network of providers.
Both bills would avert a scheduled cut to Medicare reimbursement for doctors and substitute a small increase. "(MEDICARE WATCH, a biweekly electronic newsletter of the Medicare Rights Center Vol. 11, No. 12: June 10, 2008)
So Sen Smith is on board even though he was referred to as a Senator from Iowa. We still need him to do more to turn members of the Republican Caucus. A yes vote in the face of a veto does us no good. Keep up the calls for more action from Sen Smith.
Medicare doc fix Action needed now
The Medicare doc fix bill will be voted on perhaps this week. If you have not yet please call you congressional reps and let them know that you want them to support the Sen. Baucus Bill. It provides for more than just help for doctors but also for recipients. This may be the last major vote on health care before the summer recess. Lets make it a good one.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Unionfacts.com ballot initiative
This is more on the Unionfacts.com story. Bill Sizemore has gotten his anti union ballot initiative qualified for the November Ballot.
The Oregonian reports in todays paper,
"The other Sizemore initiative would prohibit the use of money for a "political purpose" if it was collected with a "public resource" such as the work time of public employees. The measure is part of Sizemore's continuing campaign against the state's public employees unions." The Oregonian, June 8 2008 "Anti-crime and property tax issues will be decided by voters" Edward Walsh.
So be on the look out for more Unionfacts.com commercials. Be ready to combat them with the real facts.
The Oregonian reports in todays paper,
"The other Sizemore initiative would prohibit the use of money for a "political purpose" if it was collected with a "public resource" such as the work time of public employees. The measure is part of Sizemore's continuing campaign against the state's public employees unions." The Oregonian, June 8 2008 "Anti-crime and property tax issues will be decided by voters" Edward Walsh.
So be on the look out for more Unionfacts.com commercials. Be ready to combat them with the real facts.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Medicare Update
I have been tardy with the updates. In case you do not get the ARA Friday alerts here is an update to the Medicare Doc Fix bill.
According to the Associated Press, the Bush administration is
threatening to veto any legislation that protects doctors'
Medicare payments at the expense of private insurers. Beginning
on July 1, reimbursement rates for doctors will drop 10.6% when
they treat older and disabled patients participating in
Medicare. To keep that from happening, lawmakers are looking at
finding at least $9 billion in savings from other Medicare
programs over the next five years. Medicare Advantage private
insurers are at the top of the list for Democrats and some
Republicans to cut, since they receive generous government
subsidies to serve their 9.5 million beneficiaries. The veto
threat came in a May 22 letter to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)
that was circulated Thursday on Capitol Hill. Sen. Max Baucus
(D-MT) is overseeing the crafting of Medicare legislation on the
Senate side. His spokeswoman noted that while the senator was
aware of the administration's concerns, the government pays
about 13% more for patients in Medicare Advantage than for
comparable patients in traditional Medicare. "The Bush
Administration is putting the interests of private insurers
before those of seniors," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer
of the Alliance. "Medicare beneficiaries need the doctor payment
issue to be resolved quickly, and veto threats that protect
corporate interests don't move the ball forward."
According to the Associated Press, the Bush administration is
threatening to veto any legislation that protects doctors'
Medicare payments at the expense of private insurers. Beginning
on July 1, reimbursement rates for doctors will drop 10.6% when
they treat older and disabled patients participating in
Medicare. To keep that from happening, lawmakers are looking at
finding at least $9 billion in savings from other Medicare
programs over the next five years. Medicare Advantage private
insurers are at the top of the list for Democrats and some
Republicans to cut, since they receive generous government
subsidies to serve their 9.5 million beneficiaries. The veto
threat came in a May 22 letter to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)
that was circulated Thursday on Capitol Hill. Sen. Max Baucus
(D-MT) is overseeing the crafting of Medicare legislation on the
Senate side. His spokeswoman noted that while the senator was
aware of the administration's concerns, the government pays
about 13% more for patients in Medicare Advantage than for
comparable patients in traditional Medicare. "The Bush
Administration is putting the interests of private insurers
before those of seniors," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer
of the Alliance. "Medicare beneficiaries need the doctor payment
issue to be resolved quickly, and veto threats that protect
corporate interests don't move the ball forward."
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