March '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus Column

Titus Statement on House Sending Final Health Care Reforms to President’s Desk

March 25, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District released the following statement this evening on the passage of critical reforms to landmark health care legislation signed into law by the President earlier this week.

“After spending nearly a year talking with people in District Three and hearing the horror stories of children who could not get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition and seniors who fell into the prescription drug donut hole, Congress took final action on critical health care reforms.

“By sending this important set of fixes to the President’s desk, we are standing up for the millions of Americans who have been discriminated against by insurance companies, or who have lived in a constant state of worry that without insurance they are just one illness or injury away from losing everything.

“Health care reform gives middle-class families more control over their health care choices and institutes common sense rules of the road that will give families the security and peace of mind they deserve. In my district alone, health care reform will improve coverage for more than 630,000 people with health insurance, improve Medicare for more than 120,000 seniors and give the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history to 213,000 families and 16,700 small businesses.”

Titus Supports Small Business
and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act

March 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted today in support of H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act, the latest action by the House to create jobs and strengthen the economy. The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 246 to 178.

“Creating jobs in Nevada is one of my top priorities, and this legislation is the next step in my efforts to put people back to work,” Congresswoman Titus said. “It will spur investment in local infrastructure projects while strengthening small businesses through a number of tax relief provisions. Already Nevada has taken advantage of Build America Bonds to finance $1.2 billion in investments including $210 million for highway improvements in Clark County. The extension of these bonds combined with the availability of Recovery Zone bonds that can go toward job training, education, and economic development will provide a much needed boost to our region.”

The bipartisan Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act, which invests $20 billion, is fully paid for and includes an extension of Build America Bonds that make it easier for state and local governments to finance important infrastructure projects such as the rebuilding of schools, sewers, hospitals, and transit projects. The bill also extends Recovery Zone bonds for economically distressed areas and ensures that areas with high unemployment like Southern Nevada receive a share of these bonds.

In an effort to spur investments in small businesses, the bill includes a 100 percent exclusion of small business capital gains and provides relief from penalties that were disproportionately affecting small businesses. Entrepreneurs will be able to deduct up to $20,000 in start-up expenditures for the creation of a business, up from $5,000, a proposal that Congresswoman Titus has cosponsored.

Titus: FAA Extension Provides Vital
Transportation Funding for Nevada

March 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor today on the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 Act which includes an important provision to fund transportation programs in Nevada. Below are her remarks as delivered. Click here to watch Titus’ speech.

“I rise today in support of this legislation and in support of the provision it includes to distribute funds for the Projects of National Significance and National Corridor grant programs through existing formulas. Under the HIRE Act, funds for these programs went to only 29 states based on whether they had earmarked projects under SAFTEA-LU. Some states were big winners, and others were big losers. Twenty-two states would receive no funding at all, including my state of Nevada. California, Illinois, Louisiana, and Washington, however, would get $543 million of the $932 million allocated.

“The legislation we are considering today would correct this inequity. In Nevada, it would mean an additional $7.7 million for transportation programs. It’s an important piece of legislation, and I urge its passage.”

Titus: Republicans Pledge to Repeal
Common Sense Health Care Reforms

March 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor this morning on health care reform. Below are her remarks as delivered. Click here to watch Titus’ speech.

“Yesterday marked an historic day as President Obama signed reform legislation that will give families more control over their health care and the same kinds of choices as members of Congress have.

“Yet before the ink was even dry on the President’s signature, Republicans pledged that they would repeal health care reform if given the opportunity.

“Reform that will end discrimination for pre-existing conditions—Republicans would repeal it.

“Reform that will close the prescription drug donut hole that so many seniors fall into—Republicans would repeal it.

“Reform that will give the largest health care tax cut in history to families and small businesses to purchase insurance—Republicans would repeal it.

“Yesterday we took an important step forward with common sense reform that will improve coverage for over 1.1 million people in Southern Nevada.

“Nevada’s families cannot afford a return to the status quo of skyrocketing costs or of living every day with the fear that they are just one illness or one injury away from losing it all. We cannot repeal that.”

Titus Honors ‘Mr. Veteran’ Ken Brown
of Nevada on the House Floor

March 23, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor today to honor Ken Brown of Nevada for his service to our nation and Nevada’s veterans. Below are her remarks as delivered. Click here to watch Titus’ speech.

“Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor Ken Finis Brown, affectionately known throughout Nevada as ‘Mr. Veteran.’

“As my colleague, Shelley Berkley, pointed out a few minutes ago, Mr. Brown was instrumental in providing a final sacred resting place for Nevada’s veterans in 1987 when he donated the necessary funding for the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Brown personally donated the funding to purchase 83.5 acres of land in Boulder City in District Three that now serves as a cemetery for Nevada’s fallen heroes. Our Mr. Veteran worked tirelessly so that military veterans in Southern Nevada would have a dignified final resting place in our home state, close to their loved ones.

Ken Finis Brown

“This unyielding effort was formally recognized by the State of Nevada when it declared April 6, 1990, ‘Ken Brown Day.’ On that same day, the Southern Nevada Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery was officially dedicated. Everyone in Southern Nevada knows that this project would never have been completed without the hard work and dedication of Ken Brown.

“And this was just one of many awards and commendations that our Mr. Veteran has received, including a proclamation of heroism from Clark County, a God and Country award from the U.S. Navy Armed Guard, a formal proclamation from the Las Vegas City Council and keys to the City, and a certificate of recognition and appreciation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee. His efforts have been recognized, both formally and informally, by countless organizations and individuals—too many to list here.

“Mr. Brown served our country admirably in the United States Navy during World War II while our nation was fighting to rid the world of tyranny and hatred. At a time when our nation needed heroes, Ken Brown stepped up. He answered the call. Since his service in our nation’s armed services, Ken has dedicated his life to improving the lives of other veterans in Southern Nevada through his advocacy and his own example.

Ken Finis Brown

“Mr. Brown has also written a poem which was dedicated to our Afghan and Iraq Veterans, U.S. Navy Armed Guard, and the U.S. Merchant Marines. The words of his work ring true today as our brave men and women serve valiantly throughout the world to protect our nation. I ask unanimous consent to enter that poem into the record.

“Madam Speaker, today we flew a flag over the Capitol in honor of Ken Brown. I thank Mr. Brown again for his lifetime of dedication to the United States of America and to our heroes, our men and women in the Armed Services. With that I yield back my time.”

Ken Brown’s Poem “LIFE” follows:

LIFE
Dedicated to Afghan and Iraq Veterans
And
United States Navy Armed Guard
United States Merchant Marines
36,000 thousand died in WWII

     For love and money, our lives we pay,
Baubles we earn with a whole soul’s tasking;
     Tis heaven alone that is given away,
Tis only God may be had for the asking;
No price set on the lavish summer,
And June may be had by the poorest comer.

Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;
Ever clod feels a stir of might,
     An instinct within it that reaches and towers,
And, grasping blindly above it for light,
     Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers.

Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills,
We are happy now because God so wills it;
We may shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing
That the sky is clear and the grass is growing.

Joy comes, grief goes, we known not how;
Every thing is happy now,
     Every thing is upward striving
Tis as easy now for the heart to be true
As for grass to be green of skies to be blue, -
     Tis the Natural way of living.

We must always remember that life is precious and the veterans of the great national paid with their lives for your freedom.

What Health Care Reforms Means For You

Health care reform legislation will make significant progress for the health and well-being of Nevadans, giving them more control of their health care choices. Middle-class families will have access to more affordable health care and the same kind of choices as members of Congress.

What Health Care Reform Means for Nevadans:

No discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.

Ban on insurance plans dropping you if you get sick.

Ban on lifetime coverage limits and caps out-of-pocket expenses.

What Health Care Reform Means for Seniors:

Closing the Medicare Part D donut hole—an immediate $250 rebate; 50% discount on brand names next year; and fully closed by 2020.

Free preventive care under Medicare—no co-payments and deductibles.

Help for early retirees—temporary coverage for ages 55–64.

What Health Care Reform Means for Women:

Ban on gender rating that results in higher premiums for women.

No discrimination for pre-existing conditions such as having had a C-section or being the victim of domestic violence.

What Health Care Reform Means for Small Businesses:

$40 billion in tax credits for small businesses to help them offer employee coverage.

The same access to quality, affordable coverage that large firms have today.

Titus Statement on Signing of Health Care Reform Bill

March 23, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District released the following statement today following President Obama’s signing of health care reform legislation.

“President Obama’s signing of landmark health care reform legislation marks an important day for the people of Nevada, especially those who have been discriminated against for a pre-existing condition or dropped from their insurance plan when they needed it most.

“This legislation makes critical reforms that give middle-class families more control over their health care choices and institutes common sense rules of the road that will give families the security and peace of mind they deserve. Health care reform will strengthen Medicare that more than 210,000 seniors in Southern Nevada rely on and reduce the burden skyrocketing prescription drug prices.

“With Nevada’s small businesses struggling during this tough economic time, this reform will lower their health care costs, provide tax breaks for those who offer their employees coverage, and increase their competitiveness.

“Today is an historic step, and I am hopeful that shortly we will make yet another major stride when the Senate takes action on important House-passed reforms to this legislation that improve coverage for more than 1.1 million people in Southern Nevada.”

Titus Applauds Passage of Largest
Investment in Student Aid in History

March 22, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District hailed the passage of landmark student financial aid legislation which was approved by the House of Representatives last night.

“Nevada has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn as we face near-record unemployment. The investments in this bill will help Nevada’s students and dislocated workers obtain the education and training they need to compete in the workforce, and it will do so in a fiscally responsible way,” Congresswoman Titus said. “With college costs rising, this landmark legislation will increase funding for Pell Grants and build a world-class community college system that will provide Nevada’s young people with a better education and less debt. By passing this bill, we are putting the needs of Nevada’s students ahead of the banks that for too long have been rewarded with billions of dollars in subsides at the expense of taxpayers.”

The student aid provisions in the package transform the way the student loan program operates by converting all new federal student lending to the effective and cost-efficient Direct Loan program. Instead of providing lenders with taxpayer subsides, students will receive loans directly from the government, saving $61 billion.

The legislation makes federal student loans more manageable to repay by strengthening the Income-Based Repayment program, allowing borrowers to cap their monthly federal student loan payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income. The legislation also invests $36 billion to boost Pell Grant scholarships, makes student loans easier to repay, and strengthens community colleges by investing $2 billion to develop and improve educational or career training programs. Under the bill, Nevada will receive more than $118 million for Pell Grants and $7.5 million for College Access Challenge Grants.

Debunking Myths About Health Care Reform

As Congress moves forward with comprehensive health insurance reform legislation, critics continue to spread misinformation about how reform will impact American workers, their families, and small businesses.

Below are three myths being spread about health insurance reform—debunked.

MYTH #1: Health insurance reform slashes Medicare and hurts seniors.

FACT: Nothing in the health insurance reform reduces Medicare benefits for seniors. The reform achieves savings by cracking down on inefficiency, fraud and waste in Medicare—targeted at private insurance companies and providers, not beneficiaries. These savings include cutting large and unnecessary overpayments to private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans.

Rather than undermining Medicare, this bill strengthens Medicare. Much of the cost savings achieved are reinvested into Medicare—improving benefits. In fact, the legislation lowers prescription drug costs for seniors by closing the prescription drug donut hole, ensures free preventive care, and extends the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by nine years.

MYTH #2: Health insurance reform will cost businesses too much.

FACT: The status quo is unsustainable for the small business community—60 percent of America’s uninsured, or 28 million people—are small business owners, workers, and their families. Insurance costs for small businesses have increased 129 percent since 2000.

The health insurance reform legislation provides $40 billion in tax credits for small businesses to help them offer coverage to their employees and exempts 96 percent of all businesses from the shared responsibility requirement. [ LEARN MORE ]

In Nevada, health reform will provide assistance for approximately 52,900 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

MYTH #3: Health insurance reform is bad for the economy.

FACT: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says the legislation will dramatically reduce the deficit—by $143 billion in the first 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the second ten years—reins in costs for most Americans, and is fully paid for.

According to Harvard economist David Cutler and USC Economist Neeraj Sood, comprehensive health insurance reform will create up to 4 million jobs over the next ten years.

“If health care cost increases slow down, then businesses will find it more profitable to expand employment, and workers will more readily move into those new jobs.” [ 1/8/10 ]

Moreover, 41 of the nation’s leading economists—including three winners of the Nobel Prize—signed a letter urging the swift passage of comprehensive health reform before Congress to slow ‘unsustainable’ health care spending facing our country.

“…Without effective reform of the way we pay for health care, growth of health care spending will create unsustainable fiscal burdens, eat into cash compensation, perpetuate waste, and undermine the prospects for universal access to needed care…

“…these measures are a serious, multi-faceted initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of American medical care, rein in the fastest growing portion of government and private budgets and provide a valuable platform for future cost-control efforts. If this nation is committed to cost containment and deficit reduction we must pass health care reform. If this legislation fails, the chances of reducing the growth of health care spending in the future will be greatly reduced.” [ 3/11/10 ]

Titus Floor Speech on Health Care Reform

March 21, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on House floor this evening in support of health care reform legislation, which passed by a vote of 220 to 211. Below are her remarks as delivered. Click here to watch her speech.

“For over a year, I’ve listened to the voices of District Three, and heard heartbreaking stories of children denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, small business owners who can’t afford to insure their employees, and single moms who have lost their jobs and her insurance. They are the reasons I am voting for reform.

“In District Three alone, reform will improve coverage for more than 600,000 people. It will strengthen Medicare for 120,000 seniors and close the prescription drug donut hole. It will create health care tax breaks for over 200,000 families and 17,000 small businesses, and let 72,000 young adults stay on their parents’ policy.

“Insurance companies and others opposed to reform have spent over $1.3 million in Southern Nevada, but I won’t be intimidated. Today, as I’ve always done, I’m standing up for what I believe is in the best interest of my constituents.

“As has been said, ‘It’s the price of leadership to do the thing you believe has to be done, at the time it must be done.’ Now is the time to get it done and pass health care reform.”

Titus: ‘Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-existing Condition’

March 20, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District released the following statement today on how health care reform will impact women.

“The need for health reform is critical for so many in America, but for women, that need is even greater. From 2007 to 2008, more than 211,000 Nevada women were uninsured, while more than one in five women in Nevada reports not visiting a doctor due to high costs. Health reform will make 36,700 uninsured women in Nevada eligible for Medicaid coverage and approximately 83,000 women in Nevada eligible for a health insurance subsidy to help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

“With health care costs weighing heavily on our small businesses, and with women more likely than men to work for small businesses that don’t offer health insurance, health care reform will help small businesses compete by lowering crushing health care costs.

“In Nevada, insurers are allowed to consider gender when setting premium rates in the individual health insurance market. As a result of this ‘gender rating’ women often are charged more than men for the exact same coverage. Insurers can also exclude coverage for certain pre-existing conditions, such having had a C-section and even being pregnant. And it can be difficult—and sometimes impossible in certain markets—for women to find coverage for maternity care in the individual health market.

“It’s time to tell insurance companies that being a woman is not a pre-existing condition and pass health care reform that bans health insurance discrimination.”

Titus Announces Support for Health Care Reform

March 19, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District announced today that she intends to vote in support of legislation that will amend and improve the Senate-passed health care bill.

“For nearly a year, I have talked with the people of District Three about the need for health care reform,” Titus said. “I have heard horror stories from small business owners who had to lay off workers because of rising health care costs and families that could not get insurance because of a pre-existing condition. While the legislation the House will vote on this weekend is not perfect, it makes critical reforms that provide common sense rules of the road that will give families and small businesses more control over their health care—not government bureaucrats or insurance company CEOs.”

“From the beginning, I have said I support legislation that reduces costs, strengthens Medicare, and increases choice,” Titus continued. “This legislation meets those goals, and where flaws still exist, I will continue to push for additional reforms. This bill will make real progress by preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, closing the donut hole for prescription drugs, and giving families and small businesses the largest health care tax break in history.”

Titus had expressed concern about the Senate health care bill and wanted to see key changes to the legislation to benefit the Third District. The changes that have been included in the bill are closing the donut hole, removing special deals for certain states, changing the “Cadillac tax” so that it goes into effect later and has a higher threshold, and stronger consumer protections against discrimination for pre-existing conditions.

“During this process, the people of District Three have seen a barrage of ads paid for by special-interest money from insurance companies and those that benefit from the status quo,” said Titus. “I have always made my decisions based on what I believe is in the best interests of the people of District Three; and even in the face of more than $1 million of special-interest ads, this time is no different.”

“There is no doubt that the process that has been used by both Republican and Democrats in the past is seriously flawed,” added Titus. “I understand the public’s frustration and I share that. But ultimately my vote on the substance of this bill will be in favor of reform that will lower health care costs for Nevada families, strengthen Medicare for Nevada’s seniors, and increase the competitiveness of Nevada’s small businesses.”

The Congressional Budget Office has determined that the health reform plan will cut the federal deficit by $138 billion in the first 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years. Despite some of the misinformation that has persisted, the bill will provides people with the same kinds of health care choices that Members of Congress have and does not provide health insurance for illegal immigrants or include death panels.

In the Third District, health reform will:

Improve coverage for 637,000 residents with health insurance.

Give the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history, providing assistance for up to 213,000 families and 16,700 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

Improve Medicare for 120,000 beneficiaries and close the prescription drug donut hole.

Guarantee that 20,900 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

Extend coverage to 107,000 uninsured residents.

Allow 72,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.

Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $27 million annually.