Berkley Joins House In Extending Unemployment Assistance For Nevadans
*** Package Also Temporarily Blocks 21% Cut in Medicare Payments to Physicians ***
February 25, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today joined her House colleagues in passing legislation to extend critical unemployment and health care benefits and to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries and members of the military and their families continue to have reliable access to the doctor of their choice. The legislation extends other programs set to expire at the end of February.
“Nevada’s unemployment rate remains in double digits and families rely on these benefits just to keep the lights on and put food on the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” said Berkley.
The package also temporarily blocks a devastating 21% cut in payments to doctors in Las Vegas and across the U.S. who treat Medicare patients. Berkley is a cosponsor of legislation that would permanently eliminate cuts to the Medicare physician reimbursement rates.
“Nevadans covered under Medicare could find themselves unable to see the doctor if we do not put a stop to these drastic cuts. This legislation protects the ability of seniors and other Nevadans to continue seeing the doctor of their choice,” said Berkley. “Unfortunately, this is only a temporary patch that prevents the cut from taking effect for a limited time. We need a permanent fix to fully protect Medicare patients and to ensure our doctors are fairly paid for their services.”
Key Provisions Summary of Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 4691)
Extension of Unemployment Programs — Extends Federal Unemployment Programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through April 05, 2010.
Extension of COBRA Assistance — Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through end of March 2010 and includes technical improvements.
Extension of Medicare Physician Update — Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through end of March 2010.
Extension of Medicare Therapy Caps Exceptions — Extends exceptions process for beneficiary payment limits on outpatient therapy services through end of March 2010.
Extension of Surface Transportation Programs — Extends Surface Transportation Programs and related authority to make expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund through March 28, 2010.
Extension of National Flood Insurance Program — Extends provision through March 28, 2010.
Extension of Small Business Loan Guarantee Program — Extends program through March 28, 2010 and appropriates an additional $60 million for the program.
Berkley Calls For New Jobs Bill, Wall Street Reforms To Protect American Families
*** House Floor Speech Highlights Important Benefits from Recovery Act Funding for the Silver State ***
February 23, 2010 – Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today spoke from the House floor in support of new jobs legislation that will help put Nevadans back to work. The Congresswoman also addressed the need to pass tough Wall Street reforms, and highlighted how the Recovery Act delivered funding to Nevada for education, Medicaid, roads and unemployment compensation. Berkley’s speech may be viewed below:
Berkley Floor Statement Transcript
“I represent the most unique city on the planet, the City of Las Vegas. It’s a great place with great people, but we are hurting and my constituents are angry. I’ve got the second highest unemployment rate in the country, the highest mortgage foreclosure rate in the country. 460,000 Nevadans have no health insurance.
“The stimulus bill saved our State. Money for education and Medicaid, unemployment compensation, job creation, infrastructure improvements—but we need to do more. We need to pass a jobs bill to get more people back to work. We need to pass health care reform to provide medical care for those that can’t afford it on their own.
“And finally for the financial industry, whose reckless behavior put this nation and the rest of the world in a deep recession, Congress must pass meaningful Wall Street reform and consumer protection. I know we talk all the time about Wall Street being a casino. Coming from Las Vegas and representing Las Vegas, let me assure you, no casino on the planet behaves as irresponsibly and recklessly as Wall Street does. Wall Street ought to be ashamed, and take a lesson from the casino industry.”
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