Continued from this page....(click here)
Tim Ryan (D-OH, 13th)
"Once again, an all too familiar sense of dread and sadness set in when I saw the news this morning. I am shocked and dismayed by last night’s horrific massacre in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless violence and their families. My heart breaks for their suffering and loss. The truth is, however, I am tired of offering up the same condolences again and again while Congress continues to sit on the sidelines rather than debate common-sense gun safety measures that could mitigate these all-too-common horrors. As is so often the case, last night’s victims were innocent men and women, young people, and friends enjoying an evening of entertainment. For too long, weapons designed for battlefields have been allowed to tear apart lives and communities here at home. We owe it to those killed and wounded last night, as well as to the countless victims of past violence, to have a serious conversation about how to stop these tragedies that have become commonplace in our society. Continued inaction is a failure of our duty as Members of Congress and comes at too high a price.”
Linda Sanchez (D-CA, 38th)
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sorrow and anger.
“Late last night, 58 people were tragically murdered, and over 500 wounded in a senseless act of heinous violence in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The murderer was found to have over ten guns, including at least one automatic rifle.
“No person should be allowed to possess a weapon that makes indiscriminately killing human beings easier. It just baffles me that some of my colleagues don’t agree with that basic premise.
“Not only do they not agree with sensible gun control measures, like background checks and no fly-no buy, they won’t even allow public research dollars to be used to research gun control and gun violence.
“Until Congress acts to make it harder for dangerous people to acquire these types of weapons, tragedies like this will continue to happen.
“How many more people have to die? How much more blood must be shed before Congress decides to act? Moments of silence and the sympathies, thoughts and prayers from members of this body is not enough anymore.
“The time has come to act. We must act now.”
NOTICE: The only ones politicizing this tragedy and using it to call for more gun safety regulations (which would not have helped prevent this tragedy to begin with) are Democrats. The Ponder says BAN IDIOTS NOT GUNS!
John P. Sarbanes (D-MD, 3rd)
“I am horrified and shaken by the violence that took place last night in Las Vegas. My thoughts are with the victims of this heinous act, and my heart goes out to their families and loved ones. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the city’s first responders – not only the courageous law enforcement officials and medical personnel who rushed to the scene, but also the ordinary citizens who risked their lives to help save victims and get people to safety.”
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL, 9th)
“Unspeakable violence terrorized and devastated Las Vegas last night. I cannot imagine the fear and horror that was experienced by tens of thousands of concertgoers outside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. My thoughts today are with every victim, anyone injured, all those in attendance, and anyone whose loved ones were affected by this national tragedy.
“Only a year and a few months after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, our country has a harrowing new record for the worst mass shooting in our history. Back home in Chicago, our city has seen close to 500 people murdered by guns so far in 2017. As a country, we cannot accept this as the new normal. Gun violence is a scourge and an epidemic, and it requires bold legislative action. We cannot continue to make excuses. Federal comprehensive gun safety legislation must be a national priority.”
Yes. Let's talk about Chicago, with it's highest gun crime rates in the country. Every one of those criminals didn't care about the gun laws, or the city gun ban; so, I ask you, how would having more laws have saved these people?
Bradley Schneider (D IL, 10th)
“I'm horrified by the senseless shooting last night in Las Vegas. This violence sears our hearts and leaves countless families forever, tragically changed.
“I extend my sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones and send prayers for recovery to those wounded. And I'm grateful for the professionalism and bravery of law enforcement and first responders during and after this attack.
“Words and prayers are not enough for Las Vegas and other victims of gun violence across our country. We must come together to tackle this epidemic. Enough is enough.”
Robert C. Scott (D-VA, 3rd)
“This morning Americans awoke to news of the deadliest mass shooting in our nation’s history. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the survivors of this horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The frequency of mass shootings are far too common in our country. No one deserves to bear witness to the type of carnage that occurred in Las Vegas last night.
“The federal government is charged with the basic responsibility of keeping Americans safe, and the President and Congress have an obligation to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Congress cannot continue to sit idly by. The American people are demanding that their elected officials take action to prevent more of these horrendous and widespread incidences of violence in our country from happening again. Addressing this issue must be our top priority and I urge the President and the leadership in Congress to take meaningful action that is long overdue. The House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has made many recommendations that could serve as the beginning of deliberations. Congress could also establish a select committee on this issue pursuant to H. Res. 367, Establishing the Select Committee on Gun Violence Prevention. I and many of my colleagues are ready to work together to make sure these mass shootings are no longer a common occurrence in our society.”
Albio Sires (D-NJ, 8th)
“Once again our Nation faces another act of senseless violence that has taken the lives of at least 50 people and wounded hundreds more. I am saddened and troubled by this most recent attack on innocent civilians outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, and I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all the victims and their families.
I would like to thank all the first responders for their ongoing efforts as this investigation continues. Acts like these are becoming all too frequent in our country, and they are a solemn reminder of the need for Congress to work together to adopt comprehensive legislation that address mass violence incidents such as these. I am confident that the Las Vegas community will prove resilient in the wake of such tragedy and I will keep those affected in my thoughts and prayers as the community continues to come to terms with the events of last night.”
Chris Smith (R-NJ, 4th)
As America grieves for the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, my wife, Marie, and I join our prayers with those being offered across the country. We pray for those whose lives were lost, those suffering critical injuries, and for family members struggling with the sudden shocking loss or injury of loved ones. Our profound gratitude is extended to the first responders and to the brave Americans at the concert who scrambled amidst gunfire to help save friends and strangers alike.
In light of today’s tragedy, I have been asked anew by some about my position on the SHARE Act. Because the current regulations governing the purchasing of silencers are designed to protect Americans and do not threaten Americans’ fundamental Second Amendment rights, I advised the Republican leadership several days ago that I will be voting “no” on the SHARE act.
Steve Stivers (R-OH, 15th)
"I was horrified to hear about this act of mindless violence in Las Vegas. The local law enforcement and first responders are the heroes of this situation. To the families who are experiencing unthinkable loss this morning, we stand with you and will be praying for you."
Mark Takano (D-CA, 41st)
“I am heartbroken and sickened by the tragedy that struck Las Vegas last night. My thoughts and condolences are with the victims and their loved ones during this incredibly painful time. Words cannot express my gratitude to the law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line in the service of others.
“Tonight, parents will mourn the loss of children, children will mourn the loss of parents, and families will gather in hospitals praying for good news. It is our responsibility to ask ourselves why. Why do mass shootings occur so regularly in America? What are we doing to prevent these acts of domestic terror? How does it serve the public interest to have weapons on our streets that enable one person to inflict such horrific damage on our communities?
“These hard questions have gone unanswered for far too long, and our communities are suffering the consequences.”
Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS, 2nd)
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Las Vegas and all who were affected by the terrible mass shooting last night. We are forever thankful to the first responders who put their lives on the line to help those in need. Mass shootings have been too common in recent years and it is clear that much more needs to be done. Only if we work together can we counter the forces of terror and hate – no matter the source.”
Mike Thompson (D-CA, 5th)
“Today, the nation woke up to an unimaginable horror. In an act of violence unlike any we have ever seen before, one gunman killed at least 58 people and injured 515. This is the deadliest shooting in our history. Families have lost loved ones and the wounded will face a lifetime of physical and mental health effects.
“This should serve as a wakeup call to our nation, but most importantly to our lawmakers. In Newtown, we saw 27 lives – including small children – senselessly ended. Americans demanded action. The Congress did nothing. When a madman entered a theater in Aurora and killed 12, Congress did nothing. When a white supremacist entered a church in Charleston and killed 9, Congress did nothing. When a man driven by hate entered a nightclub in Orlando and killed 49, Congress did nothing. When their own colleagues were fired upon at baseball practice, Congress did nothing.
“What is it going to take? If Congress does nothing, its Leadership is complicit.
“Instead of giving us a vote on bipartisan, commonsense legislation to expand the background check on gun purchases, the Republican Leadership is pushing a bill that will deregulate silencers. If the American people knew that in the face of the gun violence epidemic, the only gun provisions this Congress is considering is a proposal to make it easier for more people to get silencers, they would be appalled.
“This isn’t about helping hunters or sportsmen, this is about making more money for gun manufacturers. Their sales are slumping. They need a new revenue stream. Imagine if car sales were falling and we lowered the standards of requirements to get a driver's license. We would never do that for cars. Why would we do it for something as lethal as a silencer?
“That’s why I am calling on my Republican and Democratic colleagues to come together. This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue about saving lives and repairing our communities. I have introduced a resolution that would establish a Select Committee on Gun Violence that would consist of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and require them to submit a report to Congress on how we can work together to prevent gun violence. We can protect 2nd Amendment rights while making our communities safer. And we can do it together as a nation and as Democrats and Republicans.
“So, while we keep the victims, survivors and their families in our thoughts and prayers, we must act. We must come together. Now is exactly the time. Let’s put party aside and come to the table with solutions. Lives depend on it.”
Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)
"My heart aches for the victims, their loved ones, and our community. I am grateful for law enforcement's swift response and the many good Samaritans whose selfless acts of bravery showcased Las Vegas' values to the world. We are a resilient and benevolent town that will not be intimidated by acts of violence. During this difficult time, my office will be working closely with local, state, and federal partners to provide support for Southern Nevada as we heal and move forward."
Fred Upton (R-MI, 6th)
“What happened in Las Vegas is heartbreaking beyond belief. Like the rest of the country, my wife Amey and I woke up this morning to the stunning images of victims being mowed down. It almost defies words. Yes, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these victims and the hundreds who have been hospitalized. We also thank our First Responders whose swift actions ended this grisly nightmare. While details are still emerging, I join with the rest of the nation in sending our deepest condolences to those affected by this senseless, horrific tragedy.”
Timothy J. Walz (D-MN, 1st)
The events that unfolded last night in Las Vegas are tragic and heartbreaking. And they have become all too common in our country today. We have many questions and few answers, but I refuse to believe nothing can be done to reduce the likelihood of these attacks.
As a lifelong sportsman, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. At the same time, there are common-sense things we can do in Congress to prevent these tragedies from taking innocent lives and we must confront the truth that our current laws are not working. To that end, I am calling on Speaker Ryan and my colleagues in Congress to do the following:
1. Establish a select committee on gun violence prevention.
2. Increase access to mental health care nationwide.
3. Lift the ban on Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) research into the gun violence as a public health crisis.
4. Pass universal background check legislation.
5. Oppose current conceal & carry legislation before Congress.
6. Oppose current legislation to reduce restrictions on gun silencers.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL, 23rd)
“While we mourn for the victims, families, survivors and first responders who went through this horrific tragedy in Las Vegas, we cannot stop the conversation there. There was an airport mass shooting in my community in January, and Orlando’s Pulse tragedy is a fresh, painful memory. Now we have a new 'worst-ever gun-shooting' tragedy before us. Congress must send more than thoughts and prayers. It must act, and immediately adopt sensible gun control measures. Every Member of Congress has a moral obligation to take immediate action to prevent these senseless gun deaths from happening yet again.”
Maxine Waters (D-CA, 43rd)
“Like so many across the country, I woke up this morning to the horrific news that our nation had endured yet another act of senseless violence, resulting in the loss of at least 59 innocent lives and leaving more than 500 people injured. This shooting is a painful reminder of just how far we must go to root out acts of mass violence in our country. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and our resolve as a country must be to stand together in unity and love during such a difficult time.
“There are so many questions surrounding this latest mass shooting, which now has the unfortunate distinction of being the deadliest in modern U.S. history, surpassing the devastating Sandy Hook, Mother Emanuel Church, and Pulse Nightclub massacres. We are still learning more facts about this shooter and his motivations, however, we cannot ignore how deeply disturbing it is to learn that an individual with a capacity for extreme violence was able to gain access to a large number of deadly weapons. When will our society gain the strength and courage to finally face up to the constant threat and danger of guns?
“My heart aches for those who were lost and wounded, their loved ones, the citizens of Las Vegas, and the entire nation as we pull together once again to overcome fear with strength, pride, and love in the face of unconscionable violence.”
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ, 12th)
“This morning, our nation awoke with grief and despair after learning of the largest mass shooting in our modern history. We will forever hold in our hearts the men and women who tragically and unjustly lost their lives and pray for healing for the wounded, missing and their loved ones.
There are no words for this intentional act of evil and as the investigation continues to unfold I must express my desperation for Congress to take on gun safety reform. Dotted across our map are harrowing accounts of gun violence that have devastated communities – tragedies that claim more and more lives of the innocent with every breaking news report.
There is nothing left to debate. The line has to be drawn – school children were not enough, Members of Congress were not enough, churchgoers at Bible Study were not enough, adults going out to a nightclub was not enough – what will it take?”
Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
“I know I join all Vermonters in reacting with horror and utter disbelief to the slaughter of innocent life in Las Vegas early this morning. It’s hard for any of us to imagine the sheer terror experienced by concertgoers running for their lives, unsure of the depraved shooter’s location. It’s hard to imagine the inconsolable grief being experienced by the families of the victims. And it’s hard to fathom the inaction of Congress in the face of so many mass shootings in this country. What will it take to pass common sense gun laws that take guns out of the hands of people who should not have them? We pray for those injured and killed. And we are grateful yet again for the brave first responders who stopped the shooter and selflessly came to the aid of hundreds of innocent victims.”
Frederica Wilson (D-FL, 24th)
“Today millions of Americans awakened to the stunning news of what is now known as the largest mass shooting in recent U.S. history. This tragic event, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and left more than 50 people dead and injured more than 500 others, should also be a wake-up call to U.S. House and Senate lawmakers to pass legislation to ban assault weapons, like the bill I co-sponsored in the last Congress.
“Just a little over a year ago, the nation mourned the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, during which 49 people were killed and 53 were injured, making it at the time the deadliest mass shooting in recent history.
“I cannot think of a single justification for allowing civilian individuals to own semiautomatic assault weapons, which were created for use in war to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. To those who can, I ask the following question:
“How many people must have their lives cut short or changed forever before lawmakers act to end the sale of these weapons and pass other common-sense gun control legislation so that tragedies such as the one that took place last night do not begin to lose their shock value–or better yet, never happen again?”
Lee Zeldin (R-NY, 1st)
“Late last night, a domestic terrorist cowardly attacked concert-goers in a horrific and tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, that left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured. Music should bring us all together and yet again has become the target for these most cowardly acts. While the investigation is ongoing, and details are still emerging, all Americans extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to everyone impacted by this senseless tragedy and thank all first responders on the scene.”
I am positive that these are not all of the statements available by House Representatives. If it seems that I have only covered Democrats' statements, it is because the Republicans are remaining silent for the most part, as usual. I do not have the time today to go through all of the statements that are not here, but this is a good start. My POV is this: It doesn't matter whether these guns are legal or not. CRIMINALS will find a way to get them and CRIMINALS kill. Period. To ban weapons of ANY kind only takes it out of the hands of law-abiding people who would never kill someone to begin with, unless it was in defense of their lives.
The Unpopular Truth
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Wilson Announces Support For Pain-Capable Bill
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) has expressed his support for H.R. 36, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill, which bans abortions 20 weeks or more after fertilization, gives millions of unborn children a chance to live.
“Every life is precious, has value, and is blessed by God,” said Congressman Wilson. “Working together with pro-life leaders such South Carolina Citizens for Life – and its executive director Holly Gatling – I have fought to protect unborn babies, and I will continue to do so, because those who can’t speak for themselves deserve a voice.”
Congressman Wilson delivered a One Minute Speech on the floor of the House in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on Tuesday afternoon.
Video of Congressman Wilson's floor speech is available at: https://youtu.be/QkGsWkhay6U
According to medical professionals, a fetus that is 20 weeks old can feel pain. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act establishes criminal penalties for anyone who performs or attempts an abortion after the 20-week mark. The bill provides exceptions to save the life of the mother, and in the case of rape or incest.
“Every life is precious, has value, and is blessed by God,” said Congressman Wilson. “Working together with pro-life leaders such South Carolina Citizens for Life – and its executive director Holly Gatling – I have fought to protect unborn babies, and I will continue to do so, because those who can’t speak for themselves deserve a voice.”
Congressman Wilson delivered a One Minute Speech on the floor of the House in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on Tuesday afternoon.
Video of Congressman Wilson's floor speech is available at: https://youtu.be/QkGsWkhay6U
According to medical professionals, a fetus that is 20 weeks old can feel pain. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act establishes criminal penalties for anyone who performs or attempts an abortion after the 20-week mark. The bill provides exceptions to save the life of the mother, and in the case of rape or incest.
Members Introduce Bipartisan Legislation on the Dangers of Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), along with Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), Rep. Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-LA), Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA), and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) introduced H. Con. Res. 80, expressing the sense of Congress that legalizing physician-assisted suicide puts the most vulnerable of our society at risk of deadly harm and undermines the integrity of America’s healthcare system. They issued the following joint statement:
“Protecting the vulnerable and providing quality care for all patients are cornerstones of any good healthcare system. Included in that is providing comfort and care for those facing the heart-wrenching challenges of dealing with a potentially terminal illness. In some cases, this commitment to fighting for the best care – even in the face of the most deadly diseases – can result in new and innovative cures, offering the chance of recovery for both the patient and for others suffering in the future. In other cases, it is simply a question of offering end-of-life comfort and support.
Physician-assisted suicide, however, does the opposite. It undermines a key safeguard that protects our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and people experiencing psychiatric diagnoses. Americans deserve better.
We will continue to defend every human being’s inherent dignity, and work to ensure patients facing the end of their lives have access to the best quality and most comprehensive medical care possible, including palliative, in-home, or hospice care, tailored to their individual needs. When governments support, encourage, or facilitate suicide – whether assisted by physicians or others – we devalue our fellow citizens, our fellow human beings. That should not be who we are."
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Nonpartisan patients’ rights and disability rights advocacy organizations across the country have spoken out in strong support of this bipartisan resolution, including:
Patients Rights Action Fund: “Many do not realize that people battling terminal illness, people with disabilities and others are inadvertently targeted by the legalization of assisted suicide. I am grateful to Congressmen Correa, Vargas, Wenstrup and all of the other cosponsors for introducing this Sense of Congress resolution,” said J.J. Hanson, President and a terminal brain cancer patient. “This bill brings attention to this important issue and takes a big step toward protecting me and so many others from a death-too-soon.”
National Council on Independent Living: “Our society places a high value on physical appearance and ability, and stigmatizes significant disability. It's no surprise that those of us who grew up able-bodied and then became disabled might initially see disability as a huge loss of one’s former dreams and physical abilities,” said Kelly Buckland, Executive Director. “When someone is first hit with this, they may feel they’d be better off dead. As one struggles to get basic needs met, some people feel worn down. If assisted suicide had been legal in the past, even if it were supposedly only for those with “terminal” conditions, I might not be here today. I’m grateful that assisted suicide was not legal back then, and I'm committed to keeping it that way. This is an important reason why the National Council on Independent Living opposes assisted suicide laws. NCIL is a leader in the disability rights movement, our political struggle for equal rights. And, among other things, equal rights include equal suicide prevention.”
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): “Where assisted suicide is legal, some people’s lives will be ended without their consent, through mistakes and abuse. No safeguards have ever been enacted or even proposed that can prevent this outcome, which can never be undone,” said Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst. “The so-called safeguards are very weak, and the lack of oversight hides these dangers from public view. Moreover, assisted suicide laws are a prescription for elder abuse and abuse of people with disabilities. Supporters of assisted suicide say such laws won’t affect disabled people—but they will, whether or not they realize it. But there is a legal alternative: anyone dying in discomfort may legally receive palliative sedation. Under these circumstances, assisted suicide is not real choice, but a phony form of freedom.”
ADAPT: “Disabled people and seniors who need assistance with everyday tasks like dressing and bathing want the choice to get those services at home and to have control over how they’re delivered. We do not want to be forced into a nursing facility, nor forced to live in poverty to qualify. Unfortunately, that choice is not a reality for most of us. In states that have legalized assisted suicide, Oregon data shows, over a third of those who request assistance to die do so because of “feelings of being a burden” and over 90% cite “loss of autonomy” as a factor,” said Stephanie Woodward, Director of Advocacy. “If the only alternative to death is poverty and segregation in nursing facilities, assisted suicide is not a “choice.” Society is failing to ensure access to consumer controlled long-term services. The last thing we need in this time of draconian budget cuts in Medicaid is the legalization of assisted suicide laws, because the untimely deaths of disabled Americans can easily be seen as a cost saving answer.
Not Dead Yet: "As a national, secular, social justice organization, Not Dead Yet strongly supports this bipartisan effort to speak truth to the many myths about legalized assisted suicide," said Diane Coleman, President/CEO. "As Americans with disabilities, we are on the front lines of the nation's health care system that often devalues old, ill, and disabled people. So we are grateful for this Sense of Congress that explains the dangers of mistake, coercion, and abuse under a public policy of assisted suicide."
Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Fund: "Empowering doctors to assist patients in killing themselves has led to an inevitable erosion of trust in the motives of doctors, health care institutions, and insurers. This has been detrimental to patients, degraded the quality of medical care, and compromised the integrity of medical profession wherever assisted suicide has been legalized,” Dr. William F. Toffler, National Director. “The solution to suffering is not to end the life of the sufferer; rather society's focus at the end of life should be to alleviate suffering by improving access to hospice and palliative care whenever it is needed."
“Protecting the vulnerable and providing quality care for all patients are cornerstones of any good healthcare system. Included in that is providing comfort and care for those facing the heart-wrenching challenges of dealing with a potentially terminal illness. In some cases, this commitment to fighting for the best care – even in the face of the most deadly diseases – can result in new and innovative cures, offering the chance of recovery for both the patient and for others suffering in the future. In other cases, it is simply a question of offering end-of-life comfort and support.
Physician-assisted suicide, however, does the opposite. It undermines a key safeguard that protects our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and people experiencing psychiatric diagnoses. Americans deserve better.
We will continue to defend every human being’s inherent dignity, and work to ensure patients facing the end of their lives have access to the best quality and most comprehensive medical care possible, including palliative, in-home, or hospice care, tailored to their individual needs. When governments support, encourage, or facilitate suicide – whether assisted by physicians or others – we devalue our fellow citizens, our fellow human beings. That should not be who we are."
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Nonpartisan patients’ rights and disability rights advocacy organizations across the country have spoken out in strong support of this bipartisan resolution, including:
Patients Rights Action Fund: “Many do not realize that people battling terminal illness, people with disabilities and others are inadvertently targeted by the legalization of assisted suicide. I am grateful to Congressmen Correa, Vargas, Wenstrup and all of the other cosponsors for introducing this Sense of Congress resolution,” said J.J. Hanson, President and a terminal brain cancer patient. “This bill brings attention to this important issue and takes a big step toward protecting me and so many others from a death-too-soon.”
National Council on Independent Living: “Our society places a high value on physical appearance and ability, and stigmatizes significant disability. It's no surprise that those of us who grew up able-bodied and then became disabled might initially see disability as a huge loss of one’s former dreams and physical abilities,” said Kelly Buckland, Executive Director. “When someone is first hit with this, they may feel they’d be better off dead. As one struggles to get basic needs met, some people feel worn down. If assisted suicide had been legal in the past, even if it were supposedly only for those with “terminal” conditions, I might not be here today. I’m grateful that assisted suicide was not legal back then, and I'm committed to keeping it that way. This is an important reason why the National Council on Independent Living opposes assisted suicide laws. NCIL is a leader in the disability rights movement, our political struggle for equal rights. And, among other things, equal rights include equal suicide prevention.”
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): “Where assisted suicide is legal, some people’s lives will be ended without their consent, through mistakes and abuse. No safeguards have ever been enacted or even proposed that can prevent this outcome, which can never be undone,” said Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst. “The so-called safeguards are very weak, and the lack of oversight hides these dangers from public view. Moreover, assisted suicide laws are a prescription for elder abuse and abuse of people with disabilities. Supporters of assisted suicide say such laws won’t affect disabled people—but they will, whether or not they realize it. But there is a legal alternative: anyone dying in discomfort may legally receive palliative sedation. Under these circumstances, assisted suicide is not real choice, but a phony form of freedom.”
ADAPT: “Disabled people and seniors who need assistance with everyday tasks like dressing and bathing want the choice to get those services at home and to have control over how they’re delivered. We do not want to be forced into a nursing facility, nor forced to live in poverty to qualify. Unfortunately, that choice is not a reality for most of us. In states that have legalized assisted suicide, Oregon data shows, over a third of those who request assistance to die do so because of “feelings of being a burden” and over 90% cite “loss of autonomy” as a factor,” said Stephanie Woodward, Director of Advocacy. “If the only alternative to death is poverty and segregation in nursing facilities, assisted suicide is not a “choice.” Society is failing to ensure access to consumer controlled long-term services. The last thing we need in this time of draconian budget cuts in Medicaid is the legalization of assisted suicide laws, because the untimely deaths of disabled Americans can easily be seen as a cost saving answer.
Not Dead Yet: "As a national, secular, social justice organization, Not Dead Yet strongly supports this bipartisan effort to speak truth to the many myths about legalized assisted suicide," said Diane Coleman, President/CEO. "As Americans with disabilities, we are on the front lines of the nation's health care system that often devalues old, ill, and disabled people. So we are grateful for this Sense of Congress that explains the dangers of mistake, coercion, and abuse under a public policy of assisted suicide."
Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Fund: "Empowering doctors to assist patients in killing themselves has led to an inevitable erosion of trust in the motives of doctors, health care institutions, and insurers. This has been detrimental to patients, degraded the quality of medical care, and compromised the integrity of medical profession wherever assisted suicide has been legalized,” Dr. William F. Toffler, National Director. “The solution to suffering is not to end the life of the sufferer; rather society's focus at the end of life should be to alleviate suffering by improving access to hospice and palliative care whenever it is needed."
WASSERMAN SCHULTZ ON BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement to mark October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
"As we mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we take time to celebrate and remember the millions of individuals and families who have been impacted by this terrible disease.
My family and I are now nearly a decade removed from the day my doctor gave me news I never expected to hear. As a breast cancer survivor, I consider it my responsibility to share my story. As a legislator and Member of the Appropriations Committee, I consider it my obligation to help make lifesaving resources and information available to those battling this disease.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am especially proud that Congress took action this year to extend, until 2019, the PALS Act I introduced to help ensure young women have access to mammograms at age 40. As someone who was diagnosed at just 41 years old, I know how critical it is that women have the information and tools necessary to make decisions about their breast health."
Walorski, Blumenauer, Fitzpatrick, Maloney Introduce Move America Act to Boost Infrastructure Investment
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) on Monday introduced the Move America Act (H.R. 3912) to strengthen public-private partnerships and boost investment in America’s infrastructure. Through expanded private activity bonds and infrastructure tax credits, this bipartisan legislation would attract billions of dollars in capital and give state and local governments greater flexibility to fund critical infrastructure projects.
“A strong American economy depends on a modern infrastructure built for the 21st century,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Public-private partnerships are among the most cost-effective ways to revitalize our aging infrastructure and invest in our nation’s future. The bipartisan Move America Act will give state and local governments the tools and flexibility they need to leverage private dollars for the infrastructure projects most important to our communities.”
“American infrastructure is falling apart and we’re falling behind. It is critical that we consider every approach to fixing our crumbling infrastructure,” said Blumenauer. “The Move America Act will support billions of dollars in much-needed investment to help rebuild and renew our country.”
“This bipartisan bill will help jumpstart our local economies and create a ton of good-paying jobs for people all across the country,” said Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “It will help make real investments in our aging infrastructure and allow us to get a lot done by teaming up with the private sector and that’s just good sense.”
The Move America Act would allow states to issue tax-exempt Move America Bonds to expand public-private partnerships and lower borrowing costs. Incentives for state and local governments to offer these bonds include flexible ownership and management arrangements, favorable tax treatment, and up to five years of unused bond carry-over. They would be allocated to states based on population.
The bill would also create Move America Tax Credits to leverage additional private investment by enabling smaller states to trade in some or all of their bond allocation for tax credits at a 25 percent rate. Credits could be attached to direct investment in a project or used to capitalize state infrastructure banks or revolving funds.
Eligible infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, airports, rail, transit, ports, freight transfer facilities, waterways, sewers, and broadband. The Move America Act would leverage $8 billion in federal funding into an estimated $226 billion worth of bond authority or $56 billion in tax credits over the next decade.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate (S. 1229) earlier this year by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“A strong American economy depends on a modern infrastructure built for the 21st century,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Public-private partnerships are among the most cost-effective ways to revitalize our aging infrastructure and invest in our nation’s future. The bipartisan Move America Act will give state and local governments the tools and flexibility they need to leverage private dollars for the infrastructure projects most important to our communities.”
“American infrastructure is falling apart and we’re falling behind. It is critical that we consider every approach to fixing our crumbling infrastructure,” said Blumenauer. “The Move America Act will support billions of dollars in much-needed investment to help rebuild and renew our country.”
“This bipartisan bill will help jumpstart our local economies and create a ton of good-paying jobs for people all across the country,” said Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “It will help make real investments in our aging infrastructure and allow us to get a lot done by teaming up with the private sector and that’s just good sense.”
The Move America Act would allow states to issue tax-exempt Move America Bonds to expand public-private partnerships and lower borrowing costs. Incentives for state and local governments to offer these bonds include flexible ownership and management arrangements, favorable tax treatment, and up to five years of unused bond carry-over. They would be allocated to states based on population.
The bill would also create Move America Tax Credits to leverage additional private investment by enabling smaller states to trade in some or all of their bond allocation for tax credits at a 25 percent rate. Credits could be attached to direct investment in a project or used to capitalize state infrastructure banks or revolving funds.
Eligible infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, airports, rail, transit, ports, freight transfer facilities, waterways, sewers, and broadband. The Move America Act would leverage $8 billion in federal funding into an estimated $226 billion worth of bond authority or $56 billion in tax credits over the next decade.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate (S. 1229) earlier this year by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
U.S. House Passes Thompson’s Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s bill that protects oil and gas production in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).
H.R. 2316, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, clarifies existing law relating to energy production in the ANF.
A federal law passed in 1992 required the Forest Service to write new regulations on oil and gas production in the ANF. However, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that the Forest Service does not have the authority to do so because the minerals in the ANF are privately owned.
Rep. Thompson’s bill, which is consistent with the findings of the courts, corrects federal law by repealing the improper 1992 requirement.
“Federal courts have ruled that the U.S. Forest Service does not hold the legal authority to further regulate accessing oil and gas in the Allegheny National Forest,” Rep. Thompson said. “This legislation will prevent future lawsuits that impede oil and gas production and will ensure that individuals with sub-surface rights can access their property. With overwhelming bipartisan support again in the House, I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to have this legislation signed into law.”
The bill also contains protections for timbering and ensures that existing timbering authorities granted to the Forest Service will not be changed. A previous version of the bill was passed by the full House in 2016.
H.R. 2316, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, clarifies existing law relating to energy production in the ANF.
A federal law passed in 1992 required the Forest Service to write new regulations on oil and gas production in the ANF. However, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that the Forest Service does not have the authority to do so because the minerals in the ANF are privately owned.
Rep. Thompson’s bill, which is consistent with the findings of the courts, corrects federal law by repealing the improper 1992 requirement.
“Federal courts have ruled that the U.S. Forest Service does not hold the legal authority to further regulate accessing oil and gas in the Allegheny National Forest,” Rep. Thompson said. “This legislation will prevent future lawsuits that impede oil and gas production and will ensure that individuals with sub-surface rights can access their property. With overwhelming bipartisan support again in the House, I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to have this legislation signed into law.”
The bill also contains protections for timbering and ensures that existing timbering authorities granted to the Forest Service will not be changed. A previous version of the bill was passed by the full House in 2016.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Introduces WHEEL Act to Ease Regulatory Burden on Interstate Trucking, Address Growing Trucking Industry Driver Shortage
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) introduced the Waiving Hindrances to Economic Enterprise and Labor (WHEEL) Act, H.R. 3889, to ease the regulatory burden on interstate trucking. This legislation will expand a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. Under current federal law, individuals in this age group may obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in each of the 48 contiguous states; however, they are prohibited from operating trucks across state lines.
“We already allow qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive from Long Island to Buffalo without a problem, but prohibit them from crossing the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, New Jersey into New York City. The WHEEL Act is a common sense measure that would ease the burden on these truck operators by sensibly expanding the interstate truck driving pilot program authorized by the FAST Act, while maintaining strong standards for participants. The trucking industry moves most of our nation’s freight tonnage and is vital to the health of our economy. However, by 2024, estimates suggest that the shortage throughout the country could be as many as 175,000 unfilled driving positions. With a truck driving shortage that is only expected to grow more acute over time, we should take all reasonable steps to address the issue including passing the WHEEL Act,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The FAST Act, which Congress passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, created a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. However, this pilot program has been limited by the strict requirements that participants be veterans or active duty between the ages of 18 and 21, a demographic that has been challenging to recruit in statistically significant numbers for the purposes of this study. To address this issue, the WHEEL Act would broaden the criteria for participation in the pilot program.
In a letter of support, Chris Spear, President & CEO of the American Trucking Associations stated, “The bill, which would amend the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to allow for an expansion of participants within the FAST Act’s younger commercial driver license (CDL) holder pilot program, is a critical step towards addressing the trucking industry’s growing driver shortage. ATA supports this proposed change, and applauds your [Rep. Tenney’s] efforts to address this very important issue facing the trucking industry. We look forward to working with you [Rep. Tenney] to enact this much needed legislation.”
“I applaud Representative Claudia Tenney for introducing legislation to address this critical threat to commerce throughout the United States. Forcing young people to wait until they are 21 years of age before they enter the tractor trailer driving profession discourages them from entering the industry at a critical time in their career decision process. There is currently a shortage of 40,000 to 60,000 CDLA drivers nationally with this number potentially expanding to 200,000 by 2020 according to some estimates. Representative Tenney’s common sense approach to this issue can safely and practically improve this critical situation in a manner beneficial for the industry, for the consumer and quite literally for all involved,” said Terry R. Wood, President & CEO, Willow Run Foods, Inc.
“The Trucking industry faces a severe shortage of qualified commercial drivers. A contributing factor for the shortage is the gap between an individual graduating from high school and their ability to begin a career as a professional driver. With the appropriate training, many of these individuals would safely be able to operate commercial vehicles. We appreciate Rep. Tenney’s recognition of this issue and look forward to continuing to work with her to address the commercial driver shortage,” said Kendra L. Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York.
The updated requirements set by the WHEEL Act will remain stringent – participants must not only possess a valid CDL, they must also have a clean driving record and satisfy the added requirement of completing an additional form of training or certification, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, that demonstrates aptitude, safety, and suitability. Expanding this pilot program safely through the WHEEL Act will enable a larger pool of qualified individuals to participate and begin their career as a CDL operator earlier, helping to end the driver shortage facing the trucking industry.
“We already allow qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive from Long Island to Buffalo without a problem, but prohibit them from crossing the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, New Jersey into New York City. The WHEEL Act is a common sense measure that would ease the burden on these truck operators by sensibly expanding the interstate truck driving pilot program authorized by the FAST Act, while maintaining strong standards for participants. The trucking industry moves most of our nation’s freight tonnage and is vital to the health of our economy. However, by 2024, estimates suggest that the shortage throughout the country could be as many as 175,000 unfilled driving positions. With a truck driving shortage that is only expected to grow more acute over time, we should take all reasonable steps to address the issue including passing the WHEEL Act,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The FAST Act, which Congress passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, created a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. However, this pilot program has been limited by the strict requirements that participants be veterans or active duty between the ages of 18 and 21, a demographic that has been challenging to recruit in statistically significant numbers for the purposes of this study. To address this issue, the WHEEL Act would broaden the criteria for participation in the pilot program.
In a letter of support, Chris Spear, President & CEO of the American Trucking Associations stated, “The bill, which would amend the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to allow for an expansion of participants within the FAST Act’s younger commercial driver license (CDL) holder pilot program, is a critical step towards addressing the trucking industry’s growing driver shortage. ATA supports this proposed change, and applauds your [Rep. Tenney’s] efforts to address this very important issue facing the trucking industry. We look forward to working with you [Rep. Tenney] to enact this much needed legislation.”
“I applaud Representative Claudia Tenney for introducing legislation to address this critical threat to commerce throughout the United States. Forcing young people to wait until they are 21 years of age before they enter the tractor trailer driving profession discourages them from entering the industry at a critical time in their career decision process. There is currently a shortage of 40,000 to 60,000 CDLA drivers nationally with this number potentially expanding to 200,000 by 2020 according to some estimates. Representative Tenney’s common sense approach to this issue can safely and practically improve this critical situation in a manner beneficial for the industry, for the consumer and quite literally for all involved,” said Terry R. Wood, President & CEO, Willow Run Foods, Inc.
“The Trucking industry faces a severe shortage of qualified commercial drivers. A contributing factor for the shortage is the gap between an individual graduating from high school and their ability to begin a career as a professional driver. With the appropriate training, many of these individuals would safely be able to operate commercial vehicles. We appreciate Rep. Tenney’s recognition of this issue and look forward to continuing to work with her to address the commercial driver shortage,” said Kendra L. Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York.
The updated requirements set by the WHEEL Act will remain stringent – participants must not only possess a valid CDL, they must also have a clean driving record and satisfy the added requirement of completing an additional form of training or certification, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, that demonstrates aptitude, safety, and suitability. Expanding this pilot program safely through the WHEEL Act will enable a larger pool of qualified individuals to participate and begin their career as a CDL operator earlier, helping to end the driver shortage facing the trucking industry.
Suozzi Proposes Legislation to Close “Official Acts” Loophole that Resulted in Overturned Political Corruption Convictions
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Tom Suozzi has introduced the Close Official Acts Loophole (COAL) Act, a bipartisan bill with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) aimed at clamping down on corruption by elected officials. Suozzi’s bill is in response to the recently overturned corruption convictions of former New York State Senate Leader Dean Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, along with the recent indictments of elected officials on Long Island.
Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the legal definition of “official acts” by elected politicians. The Court’s decision was cited in the vacated convictions of Skelos and Silver.
“We can’t allow corruption convictions to be overturned based on legal technicalities,” said Rep. Suozzi. He added, “Passage of the bipartisan COAL Act would clarify Congressional intent and close the loophole opened by the Supreme Court. Those who profit on the public’s trust for personal gain must never be allowed to avoid punishment when we have the power to fix it. While the bill will not have an impact on the existing cases involving Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, we must close this loophole to stop this from happening in the future. I am open to hearing additional suggestions from prosecutors and others on how to further strengthen anti-corruption laws in New York State and the United States,” said Suozzi.
“As a former FBI anti-corruption special agent who put politicians from both parties behind bars, I saw firsthand the need to strengthen the statutory language governing political corruption cases. Corruption can and does take many different forms, and we must provide investigators and prosecutors with all the tools they need to combat the erosive effects that corruption has on our system of government,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and national supervisor for the FBI’s Political Corruption Unit.
Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the legal definition of “official acts” by elected politicians. The Court’s decision was cited in the vacated convictions of Skelos and Silver.
“We can’t allow corruption convictions to be overturned based on legal technicalities,” said Rep. Suozzi. He added, “Passage of the bipartisan COAL Act would clarify Congressional intent and close the loophole opened by the Supreme Court. Those who profit on the public’s trust for personal gain must never be allowed to avoid punishment when we have the power to fix it. While the bill will not have an impact on the existing cases involving Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, we must close this loophole to stop this from happening in the future. I am open to hearing additional suggestions from prosecutors and others on how to further strengthen anti-corruption laws in New York State and the United States,” said Suozzi.
“As a former FBI anti-corruption special agent who put politicians from both parties behind bars, I saw firsthand the need to strengthen the statutory language governing political corruption cases. Corruption can and does take many different forms, and we must provide investigators and prosecutors with all the tools they need to combat the erosive effects that corruption has on our system of government,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and national supervisor for the FBI’s Political Corruption Unit.
Stefanik Applauds Over 175 Bipartisan Cosponsors on Community Health Bill
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) applauded continued support for her bipartisan legislation, the Community Health Investment, Modernization and Excellence (CHIME) Act of 2017, which has 177 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
“I thank my colleagues for quickly rallying around this important measure to protect funding for Community Health Centers that provide critical healthcare and preventative services for families across our nation,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am pleased this momentum is turning into action, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has announced a markup tomorrow on legislation to extend funding for these critical healthcare facilities. In my district alone, Community Health Centers like Hudson Headwaters Health Network, North Country Family Health Center, and the Community Health Center of the North Country serve over 95,000 patients and it’s critical this funding be extended to serve the needs of our community.”
In response to support for Rep. Stefanik’s efforts to reinstate Community Health Center funding, it was announced that that the House Energy and Commerce Committee will be marking up legislation tomorrow, which includes the Community Care Act, a provision to extend funding for Community Health Centers at $3.6 billion a year for two years. Congresswoman Stefanik is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
“I thank my colleagues for quickly rallying around this important measure to protect funding for Community Health Centers that provide critical healthcare and preventative services for families across our nation,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am pleased this momentum is turning into action, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has announced a markup tomorrow on legislation to extend funding for these critical healthcare facilities. In my district alone, Community Health Centers like Hudson Headwaters Health Network, North Country Family Health Center, and the Community Health Center of the North Country serve over 95,000 patients and it’s critical this funding be extended to serve the needs of our community.”
In response to support for Rep. Stefanik’s efforts to reinstate Community Health Center funding, it was announced that that the House Energy and Commerce Committee will be marking up legislation tomorrow, which includes the Community Care Act, a provision to extend funding for Community Health Centers at $3.6 billion a year for two years. Congresswoman Stefanik is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
Beyer, Speier, 78 House Dems Challenge Sec. Price, Trump Administration Over Healthcare.Gov Shutdowns During Open Enrollment
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Speier and Beyer have sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price urging him to minimize the damage from shutdowns of Healthcare.gov during open enrollment period. HHS recently announced that it would shut the site down for 12-hour periods on every Sunday but one throughout open enrollment. The letter was signed by 78 Democratic Representatives.
The Representatives wrote:
“The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods…
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period.”
Added together, the scheduled Healthcare.gov shutdowns would shorten open enrollment by three days. The Trump Administration previously announced that it would cut the duration of open enrollment in half to 45 days after 2016’s 90-day period.
A signed copy of the letter is available here and text is below.
The Honorable Thomas E. Price, M.D.
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Price:
We are writing to request that you modify the planned maintenance on HealthCare.gov to avoid unnecessary disruption of the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces. We have great concern over the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to shut down HealthCare.gov every Sunday but one for a twelve-hour time window during the six-week open enrollment period. We therefore ask HHS to limit these outages and tailor them to ensure that outages are not scheduled during times with historically higher traffic or, conversely, add additional days onto open enrollment to make up for the extensive amount of lost enrollment time.
The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods.
This is just one of a series of troubling decisions made by HHS to limit Americans’ access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration is spending 90 percent less on advertising to enroll people in the health insurance marketplaces despite clear evidence that advertising is an essential catalyst for enrollment. Also, 41 percent less funding will be allocated to navigators, the individuals who help people sign up for coverage. Most recently, HHS decided to no longer send regional representatives to assist in state-based open enrollment events, a clear move by the Trump Administration to purposefully weaken marketplace enrollment efforts. Therefore, we are extremely troubled by the decision to further limit the opportunity for those who wish to sign up for health coverage.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period. For an agency whose stated mission is “to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans,” we ask that you fulfill your mission and adjust the maintenance window to ensure that Americans are able to access care. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
The Representatives wrote:
“The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods…
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period.”
Added together, the scheduled Healthcare.gov shutdowns would shorten open enrollment by three days. The Trump Administration previously announced that it would cut the duration of open enrollment in half to 45 days after 2016’s 90-day period.
A signed copy of the letter is available here and text is below.
The Honorable Thomas E. Price, M.D.
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Price:
We are writing to request that you modify the planned maintenance on HealthCare.gov to avoid unnecessary disruption of the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces. We have great concern over the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to shut down HealthCare.gov every Sunday but one for a twelve-hour time window during the six-week open enrollment period. We therefore ask HHS to limit these outages and tailor them to ensure that outages are not scheduled during times with historically higher traffic or, conversely, add additional days onto open enrollment to make up for the extensive amount of lost enrollment time.
The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods.
This is just one of a series of troubling decisions made by HHS to limit Americans’ access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration is spending 90 percent less on advertising to enroll people in the health insurance marketplaces despite clear evidence that advertising is an essential catalyst for enrollment. Also, 41 percent less funding will be allocated to navigators, the individuals who help people sign up for coverage. Most recently, HHS decided to no longer send regional representatives to assist in state-based open enrollment events, a clear move by the Trump Administration to purposefully weaken marketplace enrollment efforts. Therefore, we are extremely troubled by the decision to further limit the opportunity for those who wish to sign up for health coverage.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period. For an agency whose stated mission is “to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans,” we ask that you fulfill your mission and adjust the maintenance window to ensure that Americans are able to access care. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
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