What Health Reform s Already Doing

The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:

As the new health reform law continues to take effect, I held a roundtable discussion in South Brunswick last week with senior administration officials and patient advocates to ask: What’s working well? What can be improved? What further steps need to be taken?

I heard, of course, some concerns about the HealthCare.gov website, which has experienced technical difficulties in its early weeks. As the administration works to fix the website in the weeks ahead, help is available to apply for health insurance over the phone at 1-800-318-2596.


I also heard a great deal of optimism about what the law is already doing. The expansion of Medicaid is working very well, for instance: about 300,000 New Jerseyans are expected to be covered. In Central New Jersey alone, more than 6,000 young adults have gained health insurance through their parents’ plan. More than 100,000 seniors have gained access to Medicare preventive services without co-pays. And about 100,000 uninsured citizens are expected next year to gain health insurance for the first time.

Marriage Equality in New Jersey

This is a great moment for New Jersey. After so many years of discrimination, injustice, and legal uncertainty, same-sex couples finally have the right to marry in our state – and over the past few days, more than a few couples have already exercised that right.

The New Jersey Supreme Court’s ruling recognized, rightly, that the only way to treat all families equally is to allow gay and lesbian couples access to the institution of marriage. Civil unions aren’t good enough; they deny legally married spouses access to such basic rights as Social Security spousal benefits, health insurance, and fair immigration consideration.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act was, I believe, so strong that every state sooner or later will have to follow New Jersey’s lead and treat all marriages equally.

White House Tours Available Once Again

As you may have heard, earlier this year the White House suspended all public tours due to budget cuts. Now, there’s good news: White House tours are once again available. If you are visiting Washington, D.C., I would be glad to try to help you secure tickets. I highly recommend that you request this tour up to six months in advance to increase the chances of availability. Requests are required six weeks prior to your trip to allow for the required security processing.

You may request tour tickets on my website. I encourage you also to consider requesting, via the same link, a tour of the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. House of Representatives Gallery – a tour that is more inspiring and that my staff can lead for you and your family on fairly short notice.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

Her Head Is Held High

The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:

On tours of the U.S. Capitol, one of the most popular stops is Statuary Hall: a large, two-story chamber that, for more than five decades, served as the meeting place for the U.S. House of Representatives. These days, the room serves as an exhibit of statues honoring many of America’s most prominent historical figures: Samuel Adams, Helen Keller, Ronald Reagan, George Washington, and many more.

On Wednesday, a new figure took her place among the giants.

Rosa Parks, the civil rights icon, was honored in a new statue made possible by an act of Congress that I cosponsored in 2005. She is depicted sitting down, in recognition of her most famous act of civil disobedience – yet in stone as in life, her head is held high.

I was joined at the statue’s unveiling by Trenton’s own civil rights icon: Edith Savage-Jennings, who has blazed trails ever since she helped lead the desegregation of Trenton’s movie theaters as a teenager. Edith and Rosa Parks were close friends; in fact, in 1993, Rosa walked Edith down the aisle at her wedding.

Few people know that Rosa Parks was, among her many roles, a staffer in the United States Congress. She served in Representative John Conyers’ Detroit office from 1965 until she retired in 1988. To me, her service as a staffer underscores both her dedication and her humility. I have no doubt that, if she had chosen, Rosa Parks could have been elected to Congress and would have been a towering figure among lawmakers – yet she chose a different form of service, one that was quieter but just as meaningful. Her life story reminds us that there is always a way for one to serve.

One Step Closer to Affordable Health Care for All

Earlier this week, Gov. Christie announced that New Jersey will take advantage of the health care reform law to expand Medicaid coverage to nearly 300,000 more New Jerseyans. Not only will this expansion provide greater health security for many in New Jersey, but it also will result in substantial health care savings.

One of the reasons I supported health care reform is because it was designed to provide every American a comprehensive and affordable health insurance option. This week’s announcement brings us one step closer to that goal.

Indeed, after some hesitation, many governors – Republicans and Democrats alike – are recognizing that implementing the Affordable Care Act is in the interest of their state’s residents. Some holdouts remain, but it has become apparent to most that health care reform is here to stay and that states should take advantage of the law where it helps and work to improve the law where there are shortcomings.

Collaboration Matters

Earlier this week, the U.S. House Committee on Government and Oversight Reform held a hearing to examine how federal agencies fund employee travel.

In light of reports in recent years of wasteful spending on federal conferences, this is an important area for oversight. Yet as I emphasized in my testimony to the committee, we must also work to preserve the many benefits of appropriate travel, which can include greater collaboration and innovation.

As a scientist, I know firsthand how important scientific conferences and meetings can be. The informal conversations, as well as the formal presentations and poster sessions, lead to new ideas and discoveries. This is not just idle speculation: a recent anti-cancer drug, for instance, was made possible only by the collaboration between scientists from three laboratories that took place at conferences.

Federal support for collaboration can be an investment in innovation and economic development.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

His Sacrifice Counts

From the E-Newsletter of Congressman Rush Holt:

Last August, the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad was called to investigate a vehicle submerged in raging floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene.  Following good rescue procedure, Michael Kenwood, a 39-year-old volunteer emergency medical and rescue technician, entered the water in an attempt to reach the stranded vehicle.  He lost his footing, fell into the current, and drowned – leaving behind a wife and a three-year-old daughter.  The submerged car turned out to be empty. 

Congressman Rush Holt

Michael’s death was a tragedy.  But what compounded this tragic situation was the fact that, under current law, Michael’s family was not eligible for federal death benefits because he was a volunteer member of a non-profit organization.  This is just wrong.  When he was called to enter those floodwaters, Michael did not stop to think, “I don’t get paid for this – should I do this?”

Last week, the House passed legislation that I cosponsored to expand federal benefit programs to the women and men like Michael who volunteer for fire departments and rescue squads.  Quite simply, it is the right thing to do. 

Keeping the Promise to Those Who Served

Even for federal emergency workers and soldiers who are guaranteed benefits by law, sometimes – whether due to oversight or administrative error – those benefits are not provided as promised.  In these cases, I often can help.

Recently, a Trenton widow contacted me because, even after many months of effort, she had not received the veterans’ benefits she was due as a result of her late husband’s service.  I intervened on her behalf with the VA Pension Center in Philadelphia, and she soon began receiving her pension of $684 per month.

If you or someone you know has encountered problems with your VA or other federal benefits, please let me know by calling 1-87-RUSH-HOLT or sending an e-mail at http://holt.house.gov/contact.

Caring for American Flags

Over the Independence Day holiday, you may have noticed that you own a flag that is no longer suitable for display.  If so, please show respect for our flag and for the soldiers who defend it, and take it for proper disposal to one of many American Legion posts or to my office in West Windsor:

            50 Washington Road
            West Windsor, New Jersey 08550

If you need a replacement U.S. flag, or an entirely new flag, I would be pleased to help you acquire at cost a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol.  More information is available online.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

PALLONE STATEMENT ON THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today after the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

"I felt so proud to be an American today. Every inauguration is special as it signifies the peaceful transfer of power that makes our nation so unique. Today, however, was a celebration as history was made on the steps of the U.S. Capitol when Barack Obama became the first African-American sworn in as our president.

"I was also awed by the enthusiasm that brought millions of Americans to the National Mall at a time when our nation faces enormous challenges. In his inaugural address, President Obama outlined those challenges and charged each of us with helping to rebuild our nation so that every American can once again live the American dream.

"In the coming months, I pledge to work with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to begin the difficult and long process of rebuilding our nation. I hope that the civility and the bipartisan spirit that we witnessed today will continue as we work to address the extraordinary challenges ahead."