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Getting Covered

03/11/2014 Nativegrl77

Uninsured Rate Hits Lowest Level Since 2009

How is the Affordable Care Act doing? One way to judge is by looking at one of its primary goals: providing uninsured Americans access to affordable health coverage. And on this measure, it is succeeding.

We know that over 4 million people have enrolled in private coverage under the law. And according to a survey by Gallup released today, the rate of uninsured Americans has now reached its lowest level since 2009:

CREDIT: GALLUP

As the chart above shows, the uninsured rate was 17.1 percent at the end of 2013, down from a peak of 18 percent. Two months into 2014, it now sits at 15.9 percent–the lowest level since the first quarter of 2009. That decrease may not look like much, but it represents millions of people getting health insurance who previously weren’t covered. The decrease also represents a marked departure from the trend of rising levels of uninsured over the last several years.

This good news only gets better by taking a closer look at the numbers. “The uninsured rate for almost every major demographic group has dropped in 2014 so far,” wrote Gallup researchers. And the groups who have seen the sharpest decreases in uninsured rates so far this year have been among those most at risk from lacking insurance coverage — low-income and black Americans. In fact, in the first two months of 2014, the percentage of uninsured African Americans has reduced from 20.9 percent to 18.3 percent, a 2.6-point drop. And among those earning under $36,000 per year, the rate of uninsured went from 30.7 percent to 27.9 percent.

Some people have expressed concern that the new law is not reaching the uninsured quickly enough, but today’s survey and other research should ease those fears. Besides, it makes sense that the uninsured wouldn’t necessarily sign up for insurance coverage right away, according to Larry Levitt, vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation:

“There’s every reason to believe that early enrollment skewed towards the already insured and that the uninsured will sign up later. People who were insured and had their old non-compliant policies cancelled were no doubt first in line in the new marketplaces, along with some people with pre-existing conditions who were locked out of the market before… The uninsured, particularly those who are young and healthy, are more likely to enroll as the final deadline approaches this month.”

BOTTOM LINE: The evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working and that uninsured Americans are signing up for health care. The uninsured rate is at the lowest it has been in years, and more and more of the uninsured have been getting covered. Outreach remains critical with just 22 days until open enrollment ends, but this is good news for those of us who think health care should be accessible for all Americans.

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FY2015

03/11/2014 Nativegrl77

In case you missed it, the President released his Fiscal Year 2015 budget last week.

Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is pretty handy with a dry-erase marker, and he took some time to sketch out the nuts and bolts of the President’s budget.

Want a better sense of exactly what’s in the budget? You should probably watch this whiteboard video.

Want to know how the President’s budget will continue to steadily bring down the deficit for the next ten years? You should watch this whiteboard.

Take a look, pass it on, and stay tuned for more.

Stay Connected

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Two Weeks Left to Enter … The CLIO Awards

03/11/2014 Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Simple changes to food labels can make a big difference

03/11/2014 Nativegrl77

Dept. of Health & Human Services

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday proposed to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.

Share the news with a friend

The proposed label also would replace out-of-date serving sizes to better align with how much people really eat, and it would feature a fresh design to highlight key parts of the label such as calories and serving sizes.Read more about the announcement by clicking here.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 3/11 the House

03/11/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:00am on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:30am with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first hour and the Republicans controlling the second hour.

At 11:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

– Cloture on Executive Calendar #577, Matthew Frederick Leitman, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

– Cloture on Executive Calendar #578, Judith Ellen Levy, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

– Cloture on Executive Calendar #579, Laurie J. Michelson, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

– Cloture on Executive Calendar #580, Linda Vivienne Parker, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote and all votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

Following the cloture vote on the Parker nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

We may consider additional nominations during Tuesday’s session.

By unanimous consent, the Senate passed H.R.2019, a bill to eliminate taxpayer financing of political party conventions and reprogram savings to provide for a 10-year pediatric research initiative through the Common Fund administered by the National Institute of Health.

11:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #577, Matthew Frederick Leitman, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan;

Invoked: 55-43

At 12:00pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #578, Judith Ellen Levy, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan;

Invoked: 56-42.

12:18pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #579, Laurie J. Michelson, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan;

Invoked: 56-43

12:36pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #580, Linda Vivienne Parker, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.R.3521, Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013, as amended by a Vitter amendment (pay-for through price controls for prescription drugs in the Department of Defense). Senator Sanders objected.

Senator Sanders then asked the Senate take up and pass S.1950, as amended by the Sanders substitute amendment, which is the text of S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act. Senator Vitter objected.

WRAP UP

Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Roll Call Votes

Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #577, Matthew Frederick Leitman, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Invoked: 55-43
Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #578, Judith Ellen Levy, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Invoked: 56-42
Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #579, Laurie J. Michelson, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Invoked: 56-43
Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #580, Linda Vivienne Parker, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Invoked: 56-42

Additional Legislative Items

H.R.2019, Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Savings Act

S.J.Res.32, a joint resolution providing for the reappointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

S.Res.378 , condemning illegal Russian aggression in Ukraine

S.Res.379 , congratulating the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (“THON”) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital

S.Res.380 , supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

S.Res.381, congratulating the athletes from the U.S. who participated in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games as members of the U.S. Olympic Team

Began the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the Legislative Calendar of Business:

– S.2110, Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2014

– H.R.4152, to provide for the costs of loan guarantees for Ukraine

Additional Executive Items

The Senate confirmed the following military nominations by unanimous consent:

AIR FORCE

#670 Brig. Gen. Travis D. Balch, to be Major General

ARMY

#673 Brig. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, to be Lieutenant General

#674 Col. Thomas R. Tempel, Jr., to be Major General

#675 Maj. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, to be Lieutenant General

MARINE CORPS

#676 To be Major General-

Brig. Gen. William T. Collins

Brig. Gen. James S. Hartsell

#677 Lt. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, Jr., to be Lieutenant General

NAVY

#678 Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe, to be Vice Admiral

All nominations on Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy

========================================================

Last Floor Action:
7:29:44 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
12:12:45 P.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action: 3/10
2:02:46 P.M. – The Speaker announced that
the House do now adjourn.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 11, 2014.

12:00:21 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:31 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:48 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:12:45 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:38 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 11.
2:00:47 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:04 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:10 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Gallego to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:24 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:11:20 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 10, 2014, at 2:19 p.m., stating the appointment to the Public Interest Declassification Board.
2:11:27 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 11, 2014, at 9:45 a.m., stating that that body had passed S. 1917.
2:11:30 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1917.
2:13:45 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 11, 2014, at 10:45 a.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 2019.
2:13:46 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting hard copy volumes of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget: Appendix, Analytical Perspectives, and Historical Tables. – referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-84).
2:14:50 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. today.
3:30:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 11.
3:30:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:31:05 P.M.	H.R. 311	Mr. Crawford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 311 — “To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to change the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule with respect to certain farms.”
3:31:11 P.M.	H.R. 311	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:31:14 P.M.	H.R. 311	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 311.
3:41:25 P.M.	H.R. 311	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:42:25 P.M.	H. Res. 506	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 506 — “Honoring the life and legacy of Václav Havel by directing the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board to provide for the display of a bust of Václav Havel in the United States Capitol.”
3:42:39 P.M.	H. Res. 506	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:42:41 P.M.	H. Res. 506	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 506.
3:55:05 P.M.	H. Res. 506	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:17 P.M.	H. Res. 499	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 499 — “Condemning the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by military forces of the Russian Federation.”
3:55:29 P.M.	H. Res. 499	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:55:30 P.M.	H. Res. 499	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 499.
4:31:52 P.M.	H. Res. 499	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:32:49 P.M.	H.R. 1814	Mr. Schock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1814 — “To amend section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an additional religious exemption from the individual health coverage mandate.”
4:33:02 P.M.	H.R. 1814	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:33:04 P.M.	H.R. 1814	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1814.
4:56:44 P.M.	H.R. 1814	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:57:21 P.M.	H.R. 3474	Mr. Brady (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3474 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the Veterans Administration from being taken into account for purposes of the employer mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
4:57:36 P.M.	H.R. 3474	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:57:39 P.M.	H.R. 3474	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3474.
5:10:56 P.M.	H.R. 3474	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:11:19 P.M.	H.R. 3979	Mr. Brady (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3979 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
5:11:39 P.M.	H.R. 3979	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:11:41 P.M.	H.R. 3979	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3979.
5:31:46 P.M.	H.R. 3979	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:32:31 P.M.		The House received a communication from Chaka Fattah, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Fattah notified the House that he had received a subpoena, issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, for certain documents from his Congressional Offices. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he determined under Rule VIII, that the subpoena seeks some information that is not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House. Mr. Fattah intends to quash the subpoena to that extent, but otherwise comply with the subpoena to the extent that it is material and relevant.
5:33:12 P.M.	H.R. 3675	Mr. Walden moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3675 — “To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for greater transparency and efficiency in the procedures followed by the Federal Communications Commission.”
5:33:37 P.M.	H.R. 3675	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:33:40 P.M.	H.R. 3675	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3675.
5:47:18 P.M.	H.R. 3675	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:47:24 P.M.	H.R. 3675	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
5:47:35 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:26 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 11.
6:31:00 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:06 P.M.	H.R. 3474	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3474 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the Veterans Administration from being taken into account for purposes of the employer mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
6:55:53 P.M.	H.R. 3474	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 – 1 (Roll no. 115).
6:55:57 P.M.	H.R. 3979	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3979 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
7:03:14 P.M.	H.R. 3979	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 116).
7:03:18 P.M.	H. Res. 499	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 499 — “Condemning the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by military forces of the Russian Federation.”
7:12:26 P.M.	H. Res. 499	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 7, 1 Present (Roll no. 117).
7:12:43 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 511.
7:13:35 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:29:44 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

9:22:20 P.M.		Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:22:35 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:22:40 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 12, 2014.