This legislation is over 2000 pages long, and contains over a $1 trillion in new spending. Speaker Pelosi’s legislation is defined by more than 120 new government agencies and programs and a myriad of new federal regulations, mandates, and a significant increase in federal spending and debt. It is estimated that as many as 114 million Americans could lose their current coverage under the bill. It is also estimated that the legislation will raise $800 billion in new taxes and will kill as many as 5.5 million jobs primarily in small businesses at a time when unemployment is at a 26-year high. In addition, the Democrat health care bill would cut Medicare for the nation’s seniors by $500 billion.
“We can all agree that our health care system needs reform,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “However, the Democrats’ proposed legislative plan completely misses the mark. Whether through the ‘government insurance option’ or other regulations and programs, Washington would have ultimate control over what is best for patients, what treatments are acceptable, and how long patients wait for needed care. I believe you know what is best for you and your families and that is why I oppose any proposal that will allow Washington to make your health care decisions for you.”
Instead of the Democrats’ government takeover, Congressman Goodlatte has supported the proposal put forth by Congressman John Boehner and House Republicans that would have empowered patients with choices, made high quality coverage more affordable and protected and preserved the doctor-patient relationship. Unlike the Democrats’ plan, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the plan offered by House Republicans would lower premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years, all without imposing tax increases on families and small businesses and while improving the quality of your health care. The Republican proposal allows for the purchase of health insurance across state lines, allows individuals and small businesses to join large pools to get more competitive rates, provides tort reform to cut down the high cost of defensive medicine, allows full tax deductibility of health insurance premiums, portability of health insurance and protection against pre-existing condition exclusions.
Goodlatte continued, “This alternative proposal, that I support, focuses on strategies that help Americans obtain the best quality health care at the least cost, and ensures that the government fosters increased access to quality care based on individual choice, not by taking away choices from people on the grounds that government knows best.”
H.R. 3962 passed the House of Representatives on Saturday, November 7, 2009 by a vote of 220-215, and was subsequently referred to the Senate
“Virginia voters, this week, expressed their opposition to the big government principles defined by this legislation at the ballot box. These sentiments are shared by voters across the country. As this misguided legislation heads to the Senate, I am confident that Virginians and the American people will continue to let their voices be heard against this takeover of health care,” stated Goodlatte.
“The health care proposal that was unveiled today is a repackaging of what Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat leaders were pushing all summer: a Washington takeover of our health care system —one defined by federal regulation, mandates, a myriad of new big government programs, and a significant increase in federal spending and debt. There is nothing in this latest draft that will ease the concerns of my constituents and millions of other Americans who have overwhelmingly expressed their opposition to Nancy Pelosi’s health care reform proposals.
We can all agree that our health care system needs reform. However, the Democrats’ proposed legislative plan completely misses the mark. Whether through the “government insurance option” or other regulations and programs, Washington would have ultimate control over what is best for patients, what treatments are acceptable, and how long patients wait for needed care. Specifically this “new” proposal, which represents a significant increase in federal spending and debt, consists of 1,990 pages of bill text creating a new regulatory regime and mandates – the word “shall” is used 3,425 times – that many believe will drive up the cost of private health insurance and will be detrimental to small businesses. It includes 53 new government agencies and programs and costs Americans more than one trillion dollars. To pay for this massive new government expansion, the legislation contains hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax increases on all Americans and cuts more than $400 billion dollars from the Medicare program at a time when millions of baby boomers are dramatically increasing the Medicare rolls.
There is a better way. We should be turning our attention to improving health care for Americans, something ignored in the Majority’s intense focus on primarily regulating just health insurance. Republicans have offered solutions that will empower patients with choices, make high quality coverage more affordable, and protect and preserve the doctor-patient relationship. True health care reform must start by making health care affordable and accessible for all Americans.
Republicans have a better approach that would cut health insurance costs and make health care better, more available, and more affordable for all Americans. Our proposals include: letting insurers sell policies across state lines to increase competition and lower premium costs, medical liability reform that would cut insurance premiums and reduce the cost of defensive medicine in the form of unnecessary tests and procedures, more efficiencies achieved through health information technology, portability of insurance so that you can take your insurance with you when you switch employers, prohibiting pre-existing condition clauses, increasing the number of community health centers, giving people who buy insurance in the private market the same tax breaks as those who get it through employers, and expanding the ability of small businesses, trade associations and other groups to set up insurance pools to offer coverage at lower rates.
Unfortunately, these items have not been considered by the Majority. We need to work together to solve this problem, taking the best ideas from both parties and enacting commonsense reform supported by the majority of Americans.
Federal health care policy should focus on strategies that help Americans obtain the best quality health care at the least cost. The best way to keep health care prices down is competition, not bureaucracies, regulations and price controls. The role of the government is to foster increased access to quality care based on individual choice, not to take away choices from people on the grounds that government knows best. I will continue working to see that these principles are included in any health care reform legislation.”
]]>Vic and Linda Sisson already had 4 children and five grandchildren. They were empty-nesters on the verge of retirement, when a friend mentioned becoming foster parents. They decided to open their home to children in need and went through the process to become foster parents. When their now children first entered their home they entered as foster children. The Sissons had anticipated that the three siblings’- Robert, Arianna, and Travis- tenure in their home would be short. They would be placed with a family, the Sissons would regroup and welcome more foster children into their home.
For five years Robert, Arianna, and Travis would meet perspective parents, but the chemistry never felt right. Linda had said that “God was on our side when he gave us these children,” and she and Vic decided to end speculation about where the children’s future home would be. They completed the adoption process and the children never had to worry again about leaving the place they had known as home for five years. They were at home.
“The “Angels in Adoption” campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness about adoption and honor individuals like Vic and Linda Sisson for their dedication to the care of children,” Goodlatte said. “The Sissons, through service in foster care and through adoption, have shown that ordinary people can do extraordinary things in the lives of others. They are certainly more than deserving of recognition.”
The purpose of the Section 216 study is to determine if modifying the water flow from the Gathright Dam would improve and restore environmental resources downstream along the Jackson and James Rivers without adversely affecting the approved functions, including recreation, flood control and water quality of the Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw.
The Section 216 study is supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, local governments and the Norfolk District Army Corps of Engineers. Without the Section 216 study, the Army Corps of Engineers cannot modify the water flow from the Gathright Dam and DEQ will be forced to impose nutrient limits that are unachievable or are prohibitively expensive.
“I am pleased that this important federal funding was included in the Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “Completion of the Section 216 study of the Gathright Dam is critical to ensure environmental improvements in the Jackson River and the entire James River Basin.”
Goodlatte continued, “The timing of the water flow from the Gathright Dam has been a serious concern for communities and businesses downstream for many years and this study is necessary to address those concerns.”
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report, which Congressman Goodlatte voted against due to the $33.5 billion overall increase in spending between this bill and the stimulus, will be referred to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. Upon Senate passage it will be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.
The Roanoke Flood Control Project, an undertaking of the Army Corps of Engineers, includes about 6.2 miles of channel widening along the 10-mile project reach through the City of Roanoke and will include construction of a recreational and environmentally beneficial greenway along the entire length of the Roanoke River through the City of Roanoke.
“The House passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report demonstrates the Congress’ continued commitment to this Roanoke River Flood Control project. Pending Senate approval, the funding included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act brings the total to over $35 million that the Congress has appropriated for the flood control project thus far,” Goodlatte said.
The flood-control project will be built in several phases. The first phase which has been completed runs from the regional sewage treatment plant in Southeast Roanoke and up the river toward Wasena Park. A ground breaking ceremony for this phase was held in October 2005 at the 9th Street Bridge located in Southeast Roanoke. The remaining phase will run from Wasena Park to the Salem City line.
Goodlatte continued, “Numerous times in our city’s history the River has spilled over her banks destroying property and sometimes taking lives. This comprehensive flood control plan will ultimately protect lives and property and this funding will ensure the project continues moving forward.”
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report, which Congressman Goodlatte voted against due to the $33.5 billion overall increase in spending between this bill and the stimulus, will be referred to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. Upon Senate passage it will be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.
The loan to the Highland Telephone Cooperative will be used to support the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center, which will serve a vital need in the region for a processing facility for livestock in Bath and Highland Counties in Virginia and Pendleton and Pocahontas Counties in West Virginia. It will provide educational and other economic development opportunities for area agricultural producers and business. The agricultural center will initially have four full-time workers to assist farmers in their operations.
“I am extremely pleased that USDA has selected the Highland Telephone Cooperative and in turn the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center to receive this important funding,” said Rep. Bob Goodlatte. “In a region that continues to be known for its heavy reliance on an agri-business economy, the agricultural center stands to be an important asset in helping preserve jobs and encourage new enterprises.”
“The creation of the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center will provide a valuable service to West Virginia farmers – particularly for livestock growers in Pendleton County,” said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. “The improved access to processing, marketing and educational resources through the agricultural center will not only support local business, but will also boost the economic viability of farming throughout the Alleghany Highlands.”
David Blanchard, chair Highland Telephone Cooperative board, says: “We are very happy to be the recipient of this $480,000 loan that will be used to help build the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center. For years our community has been talking about what can be done to help local farmers and agriculture and now the phone coop is so pleased to participate in this way to help make a difference.”
Lloyd Bird, chair Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center : “Farmers, consumers, Virginia and West Virginia Cooperative Extension, The Highland Center, livestock producer associations, community organizations, and businesses have worked together for over seven years to realize the establishment of a USDA-inspected slaughter and processing facility in the area. All are committed to the completion of the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center and look forward to the availability of locally produced meat and increased profits for farmers.”
Scott Smith, Agricultural Project Coordinator for The Highland Center, “We want to thank the many partners that are helping make the Ag Center a reality. We can’t thank the telephone coop enough for applying for and receiving this loan which will truly benefit agricultural interests and the region as a whole. We look forward to working with farmers, local businesses and community organizations to help establish a market for meat raised in our area.”
USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides zero-interest loans and grants to local utilities that re-lend money to local businesses for projects that will create and retain jobs in rural areas. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the loan or grant agreement.
]]>
Many markets, like the Harrisonburg market, which includes the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro, and Augusta and Rockingham Counties, do not have a full complement of network television stations. The Harrisonburg market has an ABC station, which also provides a FOX station on one of its multicast channels. However, there is no local NBC or CBS station, and federal laws currently prohibit many consumers from getting any NBC or CBS stations at all through their satellite television company without jumping through hoops that are often insurmountable.
“One of the big problems we have had in the Shenandoah Valley is that many satellite television consumers do not have access to all four network television stations due to obscure federal rules,” Rep. Goodlatte explained. “I am pleased to report that this bill contains a provision I helped secure that will amend federal law to make it clear that all consumers in our area will have access to four network television stations via satellite, regardless of where they live.”
This legislation also contains a provision that would allow DISH Network to again be permitted to offer network programming from other areas when there are no stations of the same network in the local market. DISH had previously been prohibited from offering these signals by a federal court for previous violations. Under the legislation, DISH will be permitted to offer these distant stations only after it offers local channels in all 210 television markets.
“This legislation is a big step forward in updating the laws governing satellite television broadcasting in rural areas, but there is more work to be done,” said Rep. Goodlatte. “I will continue working to ensure that consumers in rural areas have the same access to quality programming that those in more urban areas currently enjoy.”
The Satellite Home Viewer Update and Reauthorization Act, which passed the House Judiciary Committee unanimously, will now be referred to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.
The Veterans’ Service Fair is for the benefit of all veterans.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lexington National Guard Armory
95 Hines Lane
Lexington
These upcoming town hall meetings are in addition to the latest round of telephone town hall meetings that Congressman Goodlatte began on Tuesday, August 18th. The telephone town hall meetings allow thousands of 6th District constituents to speak directly with Congressman Goodlatte without having to leave their homes. For individuals interested in taking part in the telephone town hall meetings you can sign-up on Congressman Goodlatte’s website at http://goodlatte.house.gov/contact/tele-town-zip.shtml.
“I feel it is important to keep an open line of communication so I can best serve the interests of the 6th Congressional District,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “I look forward to hearing from the folks of the 6th District either through my telephone town hall meetings or in person at my upcoming town hall meetings which will be held throughout the 6th District.”
For constituents interested in attending one of Congressman Goodlatte’s town hall meetings, they will be held at the following times and locations:
Roanoke Valley
Thursday, September 3rd
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hidden Valley High School
5000 Titan Trail
Roanoke
Shenandoah Valley
Saturday, September 5th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Turner Ashby High School Auditorium
800 North Main Street
Bridgewater
Lynchburg/Central Virginia
2125 Langhorne Road
Holy Cross Regional Catholic School
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 12th
Lynchburg