Tag Archives: medicare

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Highlighting the Unseen Human Costs of War

06/21/2011 Nativegrl77

Highlighting the Unseen Human Costs of War in Afghanistan

At a Senate hearing last week, I urged Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffAdmiral Mullen to address concerns over the unseen human cost of war, including the rising rate of suicide among veterans, the lack of access to much needed mental health care, and the increasednumber of tours of current service members. I also asked if these concerns were taken into consideration as factors for a drawdown in Afghanistan. read more >> http://mta.hilltopcms.com/?r=MTAwOA0KSjU1NTgtMjMyY2JmNGUtNGVmNy00ZWU0LTljZmUtODAzZWY3MmU5ZjEwDQplNmIyYTk1YS01MzZjLTRiM2QtOTY4Yy1jZGQyM2Q4NGE0OTANCjhhMDAwMDAwOWU1MzhlDQpodHRwOi8vbXVycmF5LnNlbmF0ZS5nb3YvcHVibGljL2luZGV4LmNmbT9wPU5ld3NSZWxlYXNlcyZDb250ZW50UmVjb3JkX2lkPWIwY2Q0Njc0LTQ3ZGEtNDcwMi1hNGU4LTE0ZDRlMTJmZjViNQ0KdHJ1ZQ0KeW5hdGl2ZTc3QGdtYWlsLmNvbQ%3d%3d

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Going to Bat for Seattle Sports Fans

Last week, I applauded the announcement that an effort to block legislation I authored, which would restorethe ability for King County Metro to provide service to sporting events, had been overturned. All Seattle sports fans have a right to affordable and efficient transportation toand from sporting events, and this public transportation will support our local sports teams, bolster the local economy, and decrease traffic during sporting events.

“Ruling to allow Metro to offer service to sporting, community events”

– The Seattle Times

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Urging Republicans to Take Medicare Benefits Off the Table

I strongly urged myRepublican colleagues to take Medicare benefits off the table during the ongoing budget negotiations. The Republican plan would shortchange American seniors who rely onMedicare to meet their health care needs. We will not allow Republicans to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors. I’ve heard from seniors across the state, telling me thatthey need their benefits to be protected. These seniors simply cannot afford the Republican plan.

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Giving Children an Early Start on Education

I introduced the Readyto Learn Act, which would help prepare children for kindergarten by providing funding for states to establish and administer voluntary preschool programs. As a formerpreschool teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the impact that high-quality early childhood education has on the success of our children. That’s why my bill will help families and communitiesacross the country provide their children with the strong educational start they deserve.

“Bremerton schools garnernational acclaim for early learning efforts”

– The Kitsap Sun

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Protecting America’sWorkers

Last week, I reintroduced the Protecting America’s Workers Act, which amends and updates the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to make sure thatworkers are protected in the 21 st century economy. I spoke on the Senate floor to urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation because every worker, inevery industry, deserves to be confident that while they are working hard and doing their jobs, their employers are doing everything they can to protect them. This effort to make our workplacessafer is especially important to communities like Anacortes, still shaken by the tragedy at the Tesoro Refinery that killed 7 workers.

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Bringing Technology to the Classroom

Earlier this month, I used internet videoconferencing to holdvirtual conversations with students across Washington state to discuss the role technology plays in their classrooms, and how it can be approved. I also told them a bit aboutthe ATTAIN Act, which would help schools like theirs get the resources and support to integrate technology into learning. Students are clearly excited about using technology to learn—andI’m excited about working to make sure schools can make that happen.

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When you give now, every $ will be matched by Democratic Senators

06/20/2011 Nativegrl77

Republicans steamrolled into the House with empty promises of economic renewal. But instead they’ve chosen Big Oil over Medicare, health care companies over women’s rights, the rich over the middle class.

                                We’ve been able to stop them with our Democratic majority in the Senate. But if they capture just four of the 23 Democratic seats up for grabs in 2012, anything they dream up will sail through Congress while no progressive ideas survive.

                                Two years ago, we averted that nightmare scenario. We can do it again now, but only if Democrats pull together and rise up to make a difference. Please give whatever you can to the DSCC today and help them raise $683,000 by their crucial June 30 end-of-quarter deadline. Democratic senators will match every dollar you give, because falling short of this goal could mean the Senate slips from our grasp.

The GOP is playing politics with serious issues. One day they’re threatening to shut down the government, putting people out of work and delaying benefits seniors and veterans depend upon. The next, they’re willing to let the economy go into default while spending billions of tax dollars on Big Oil subsidies.

                                As they perform these political stunts, Republicans seem to have no problem turning a blind eye to the struggles of hardworking Americans, pressing forward with a reckless budget that so clearly hurts working families who struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck.

                                So how can they possibly win? The GOP is a master of the old bait and switch. They did it in 2010, and they’ll surely try it in 2012. So it’s up to us to make sure they don’t get away with it.

Give now to the DSCC so we can fight for our Democratic majority in the Senate. Republicans will have 23 opportunities to take away four of our seats next year, so we’ve got to start working now to protect our senators who are up for re-election and support our great Democratic challengers.

                                There’s no question about it—the math is daunting. We’ve got 23 seats up for grabs; they’ve got only 10. All they need to do is grab four to win the Senate. But if we do everything we can right now, I know we can win.

                                Sincerely,

                                Kirsten Gillibrand

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a message from … Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader

06/20/2011 Nativegrl77

For more than five months, House Republicans have tried to impose their radical, right-wing agenda on the American people. Just a few weeks ago they introduced a bill to dismantle Social Security just after they voted to end Medicare.

Now is our chance to respond. For the actions you make today can directly impact Democrats‘ chances in 2012.

On June 30th, we’ll face the first Federal Election Commission (FEC) quarterly filing deadline since the Republicans’ shameful vote to end Medicare while protecting tax breaks for the wealthy and Big Oil. The political world will use the grassroots fundraising numbers we report as a measure of Democrats and President Obama’s momentum for 2012.

A contribution today will not only help us to have a strong showing — it can also be put to work immediately to help us expose Republican congressmen and congresswomen back in their districts. This deadline is so important that if you give a gift today, my House colleagues will match it with a gift of their own dollar-for-dollar.

Contribute $3 or more today and my fellow House Democrats will match every dollar you give with one of their own, doubling your impact.

We cannot get distracted by Republican attacks. We must stay focused on recapturing the Majority in the House and electing President Obama in 2012. That’s why I’ve set a goal of raising $1 Million to show the world that we have the grassroots strength to take on the Tea Party Republican fringe and their secret donor-funded attack groups.

Together we can win and show the world Democrats are united behind President Obama’s agenda and have the strength to win the House Majority. Please contribute today.

Thank you. Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader

P.S. Shady right-wing outside groups are already gearing up with their secret money to wage misleading attacks against Democrats. We have just 12 days to exceed our $1 Million grassroots goal to show the world that Democrats are strong, united and on the path to winning the Majority. Contribute Now.

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a message from Sen.Patty Murray -dogged

06/16/2011 Nativegrl77

Republicans don’t have to destroy Medicare. Republicans are choosing to destroy Medicare because preserving tax breaks for oil corporations and billionaires is a bigger priority to them.

This is why we fight. We can’t allow Republicans – and their skewed priorities – to control the Senate, and they will if they gain just four seats. What you do right now truly matters!

The end of this month marks a critical FEC deadline. If we don’t raise $710,342 by June 30, we won’t have the resources to hold the Senate and stop their extreme agenda – such as ending Medicare – from becoming law. We CAN win, but it won’t happen without an army of grassroots supporters – including you.

Please give an immediate $5 or more to the DSCC. Every dollar you give will help Democrats fight – and will help keep Republicans out of power in the Senate. I’m counting on you to help stop them!

When I stepped up to lead the fight to keep our Senate majority, I told my Democratic colleagues that I would be all in, but I needed them to be all in, too. And they are. But that’s not enough. I need each and every grassroots Democrat to step up, too.

We’ve seen the extremes Republicans are willing to go to – their dogged pursuit of ending Medicare is just one example. And they’ll be attacking our candidates even harder than they’re attacking our social safety net. Karl Rove’s American Crossroads and Citizens United’s own PAC are already gearing up.

We see what’s coming. We know the fierce fight that lies ahead. And we know exactly what we need to do to win it. We can’t wait. The Republicans sure aren’t.

We must raise $710,342 by June 30 if we’re going to keep Republicans out of power. Please give $5 or more right now. Every dollar you give will help Democrats fight – and will help keep Republicans out of power. We need your help!

The stakes are higher than a simple Senate majority. This election will determine the path our nation takes. Are we the type of nation that protects the least among us? Or are we the type of nation that allows the young, old, sick and needy to fend for themselves while oil corporations and billionaires reap all the rewards?

This is the time to stand up for what we – as Democrats – believe in. Thank you for joining the fight.

Sincerely,

Sen. Patty Murra

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Tell Your Members of Congress to Protect Medicaid

06/16/2011 Nativegrl77

National Women's Law Center - Don't Discount Women: Demand Fair Change Not Spare Change


	Tell Your Members



	Urge your Members of Congress to reject Medicaid cuts, in any form. Call 1-866-922-4970 today!

“The Medicaid program for the poor is facing significant cuts in an emerging bipartisan budget deal as Republicans seek to shrink entitlements and Democrats protect other priorities.” – Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2011

You’re probably reading in the papers about the ongoing budget debates. Many people are talking about the importance of Medicare and why securing it is critical for elderly individuals. Often ignored in these discussions is Medicaid — the equally vital program for individuals who are elderly, live with disabilities, and economically vulnerable parents — which is at serious risk.

Call 1-866-922-4970 and tell your Members of Congress to preserve Medicaid by rejecting any proposals to cut or restructure this vital program.

Cutting Medicaid would be devastating for women and their families, including many of the same women who also depend on Medicare. Women are more likely to be low-income than men. They also are more likely to hold low-wage or part-time jobs that don’t offer employer-sponsored health insurance. As a result, they comprise more than two-thirds of the adults who receive Medicaid. For many women, Medicaid may be their only source of health coverage, and the current threats to Medicaid will harm women disproportionately. And despite the political rhetoric, cuts to this vital program will not save money. They will just shift costs from the federal government to states, localities and providers, while increasing the burden on seniors who depend on the program for long-term care, people with disabilities, and children and their families.

Don’t let irresponsible cuts to the federal budget harm the most vulnerable women. Call 1-866-922-4970 and urge your Members of Congress to reject Medicaid cuts, in any form.

Besides the danger to Medicaid, the budget passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year and other proposals pending in Congress threaten many additional programs critical to women and their families. Funding for food stamps, child care, Head Start, K-12 education, Pell grants, family planning, domestic violence prevention, and much, much more are at risk.

Your voice will be vital in helping us keep these services safe for women and their families — join us and Demand Fair Change, Not Spare Change.

Sincerely,