Committee on Education and Labor Press Releases

House Makes History on Health Reform

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:15:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � For the first time in America�s history, all Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today. The legislation will cover 96 percent of Americans by 2015, while reducing the deficit by tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The House approved the measure by a vote of 220 to 215.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), blends and revises the three versions of reform legislation passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July. It embodies President Obama�s key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control health costs, and introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest. Additionally, it will protect people�s choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all have Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the net cost of expanding coverage at $891 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama in September. The legislation will be fully paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years, not counting the additional deficit reduction generated by the CLASS Act.

�Tonight, for the first time in our nation�s history, the House voted to guarantee every American access to quality, affordable health insurance,� said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. �Our bill embodies President Obama�s goals and reflects what we have heard from the American people. Because of this legislation, never again will Americans have to worry about losing their health care if they lose their job or get sick. For all of the great leaders before us who tried to get this done, and for all of the workers and families who will finally have greater health benefits and financial security because of this bill, tonight we made history.�

�God has been good to our country and this Congress and that means we have a responsibility to extend our power to make certain that every American has access to quality, affordable health care,� said U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. �We are so proud of this bill because it will cover 96 percent of our nation and ensure that no one will be denied health care because they have a pre-existing condition, or lose their coverage because they lose their job. This is truly an historic effort to improve the health and well-being of our nation, create jobs and grow our economy.�

�Today is a historic moment for the House of Representatives.� said U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. �It is a significant victory that the House has passed comprehensive health reform legislation for all Americans. This bill will at long last reform the health care system by expanding choices, reducing costs, and providing people with peace of mind about their health insurance.�

�With this historic vote, tens of millions of Americans are closer to getting health insurance. With this historic vote, we stand to reduce our deficit by billions of dollars over the next decade,� said U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee and lead sponsor of H.R. 3962. �With this historic vote we are closer to bringing relief to American families who are forced to decide whether they will pay the mortgage or their health insurance premium. And with this historic vote, we will help American business compete in the global marketplace. Many legendary members who served in this body before have fought for national health insurance reform, only to never see it happen. It is a great honor to serve with a new generation of members who today took bold action, delivering on our promise of change. Our actions will earn the respect and appreciation of Americans for generations to come.�

�With this historic vote we are one step closer to fulfilling the promise of making the world's best health care system more affordable and accessible to all. This plan significantly limits the costs that have been spiraling out of control for decades, which have threatened the health, well-being and economic stability of our nation,� said U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), the Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee. �Making health care more affordable not only reduces the burden on families and businesses, but also frees up the resources needed to create and sustain countless jobs without adding to our nation's deficit. While there is still much work to do, I value the discussions and debates that I have shared with my constituents and colleagues over these past few months. I am proud and humbled to be part of such historic change that will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans and help put our country back on the course of long prosperity.�

�The Affordability Health Care for America Act will mark history with reforms that will put nearly every American within reach of quality health care at affordable costs,� said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) the Chairman of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. �More important than the history books is what it will mean for all Americans. It will stop the insurance industry from denying or cutting off care and it will help prevent illness before it strikes. And it will reduce the amount spent on medical care in the country without adding one dime to the deficit. It will make the best of the health care system and help allow America live up to its promise and its ideals.�

�Today's vote is the most important in my career," said U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. �I am proud to have helped author this legislation, which will finally guarantee affordable, quality health care to every American. I urge the Senate to act so we can achieve health care reform this year.�
The legislation will ensure affordability for workers and middle-class families, security for seniors with a stronger, more solvent Medicare program, and a healthy fiscal future.

The key components of the Affordable Health Care for America Act include:

Increasing choice and competition. The bill will protect and improve consumers� choices.

If people like their current plans, they will be able to keep them.
Individuals who aren�t currently covered by their employers and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through a new Health Insurance Exchange where consumers can comparison shop from a menu of affordable, quality health care options that will include private plans, health co-ops, and a new public health insurance option. The public health insurance option will operate on a level playing field with private insurers, spurring additional competition.
This Exchange will create competition based on quality and price that leads to better coverage and care. Patients and doctors will have control over decisions about their health care, instead of insurance companies.

Giving Americans peace of mind. The legislation will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage � so that they won�t lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job.

Every American who receives coverage through the Exchange will have a plan that includes comprehensive and quality health care benefits.
It will end increases in premiums or denials of care based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and will strictly limit age rating.
The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care, and cap out-of-pocket expenses to protect every American from bankruptcy.

Improving quality of care for every American. The legislation will ensure that Americans of all ages, from young children to retirees, have access to greater quality of care by focusing on prevention, wellness, and strengthening programs that work.

Guarantees that every child in America will have health care coverage that includes dental, hearing, and vision benefits.
Provides better preventive and wellness care. Every health care plan offered through the Exchange and by employers, after a grace period, will cover preventive care at no cost to the patient.
Increases the health care workforce to ensure that more doctors and nurses are available to provide quality care as more Americans get coverage.
Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and closes the Medicare Part D �donut hole� so that seniors and low-income Americans receive better quality of care and see lower prescription drug costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Ensuring shared responsibility. The bill will ensure that individuals, employers, and the federal government share responsibility for a quality and affordable health care system.

Employers can continue offering coverage to workers, and those with payrolls over $500,000 who choose not to offer coverage will contribute a fee of up to eight percent of payroll.
All individuals will generally be required to get coverage, either through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of income. Individuals facing difficulties can apply for hardship waivers from the penalty.
The federal government will provide affordability credits, available on a sliding scale for low- and middle-income individuals and families, to make premiums affordable and reduce cost-sharing.

Protecting consumers and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. The legislation will put the interests of consumers first, protect them from insurer discrimination and mistreatment, and reduce waste, fraud and abuse.

Provides transparency in plans in the Health Exchange so that consumers have clear, complete information, in plain English, to select the plan that best meets their needs.
Establishes consumer advocacy offices as part of the Exchange to protect consumers, answer questions, and assist with any problems related to their plans.
Simplifies paperwork and other administrative burdens. Patients, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, providers, and employers will all benefit from a streamlined, less confusing, more consumer-friendly system.
Increases funding of efforts to reduce waste, fraud and abuse; and creates enhanced oversight of Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Reducing the deficit and ensuring the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation will be entirely paid for � it will not add a dime to the deficit and will actually reduce the deficit over at least the next two decades. It will also put Medicare and Medicaid on the path to a more fiscally sound future, so seniors and low-income Americans can continue to receive quality health care benefits for years to come.

Pays for the entire cost of the legislation though a combination of savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient � without cutting seniors� benefits in any way � and through revenue generated from placing a surcharge on the top 0.3 percent of all households in the U.S.(married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other revenue measures.
CBO estimates the bill will reduce the deficit by at over $30 billion over ten years, not counting the additional deficit reduction generated by the CLASS Act.
Extends the life of the Medicare trust fund by 5 years.
Estimates also show the bill will slow the rate of growth of the Medicare program from 6.6 percent annually to 5.3 percent annually.

To view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, click here.

To view the immediate benefits for Americans that kick in under this legislation, click here.

To view a bill summary, detailed fact sheets and more information on what the health insurance reform will mean for Americans, click here.

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Chairman Miller Statement on Historic Health Reform Legislation

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:00:53 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Below are the prepared remarks of U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a key architect of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, during consideration of the legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives today.

***

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this historic legislation to fix our broken health insurance system and finally bring affordable health coverage to every American.

We are truly on the verge of making history.

Never before has the House or Senate approved a bill to guarantee every American access to affordable health care. Never.

Not that we haven�t tried.

The fight to reform this nation�s health care system has spanned nearly 100 years, across generations and many great leaders, from Teddy Roosevelt to Franklin Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy to President Clinton to my own personal hero, Ted Kennedy.

But time and again these efforts were stymied by special interests.

The need for reform is dire.

Hundreds of thousands of people are losing insurance each month. At least 36 million   Americans have no coverage at all � including nearly 50,000 people who live in my district in Northern California.

Over half of all personal bankruptcies are due to a medical incident. Businesses are chocking on bloated health care costs. Innovation is being stifled. Our competitiveness is undermined.

But this year is different. This time is different. The American people cannot afford to wait any longer, and today we will cast a history-making vote to guarantee all Americans access to quality, affordable health insurance.

We must not fail again.

An unprecedented effort by the House led us to this milestone. Three committees and our diverse Caucus worked together in an extensive and coordinated fashion, with one purpose � to fulfill a decades-old, and yet still urgent, promise.

We engaged the public in one of the most transparent debates of federal legislation in history, including over 2,000 events across the U.S. since July alone.

The result is a bill that reflects what we have heard from workers and families, from small business owners and economists, from seniors and college students, from doctors and nurses.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act will directly meet the needs of Americans and the goals that President Obama set for reform: it lowers costs for families and businesses, protects people�s choice of doctors and health plans, reduces the deficit, and ensures access to quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans.

For the first time in U.S. history, all uninsured Americans will be able to purchase quality, affordable coverage through a new Health Insurance Exchange, where they will be able to choose from a menu of options: a public health insurance option or several private plans.

And for those that already have insurance, our bill will grant them the security of knowing that their coverage will always be there.

Never again will Americans worry about losing their health care if they change or lose their job.

Never again will someone be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Never again will a patient have to worry about their insurance company rescinding their policy when they need coverage the most.

Never again will a small business owner have to worry about unpredictable and unaffordable premiums.
Our bill, H.R. 3962, will end the many injustices that workers, families, and businesses face in today�s system. It will finally make health insurance work for consumers � not insurance CEOs.

Let me be specific about what our reforms will mean for the American people:

�   No more co-pays or deductibles for preventative care;
�   No more rate increases because of a pre-existing condition, gender, or occupation;
�   An annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses;
�   Guaranteed affordable dental, hearing and vision care for children;
�   Lower prescription drug costs for seniors;
�   Young people will be able to stay on their parents insurance through their 27th birthday; and
�   A ban on lifetime caps on what insurance companies will pay, so patients will never again be one treatment away from medical bankruptcy.

In my district, the 7th district of California, that means:

�   406,000 residents who receive coverage through their employer will benefit from insurance reforms;
�   Credits in the Exchange will help 123,000 households obtain affordable health insurance; and
�   13,800 small businesses will have access to provide affordable coverage for their employees.

As I mentioned earlier, this legislation meets our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Every piece of this bill is fully paid for through a combination of revenue raised by placing a surcharge on the wealthiest Americans and savings generated by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient.

These reforms will strengthen Medicare for seniors and shift our system�s focus from quantity of health procedures to quality of care and producing healthier outcomes for patients.

The Congressional Budget Office reports that our bill will reduce the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next decade and slow the growth of health spending, leading 11 chief health care economists to declare our legislation �vital to the nation�s fiscal and economic future.�

As with previous efforts to reform health care, this bill received an enormous amount of public scrutiny. In the last few months, opponents of health reform have conjured up every falsehood imaginable about this bill in an effort to scare the American people and once again try to stymie reform.

But as I said, I believe that this year is different. Our legislation has been tested in public and the momentum continues to grow in support of the bill.

The American people have seen through the lies and distortions. And they are not fooled by the hoax of an eleventh-hour Republican bill that is nothing more than a cruel rebuke to the needs of families. Their bill would do nothing but maintain the status quo and guarantee insurance profits at the expense of tens of millions of hard working Americans.

The American people understand the true meaning of our bill. They know it will cover 96 percent of the American people. They know that, under our bill, if they lose their job they will continue to have health coverage for their children, spouses and families.
They know that this bill means that if they have cancer, the insurance company can no longer pull the rug out from under them while they�re in the middle of treatment.

They know that this bill will protect them, through any economic cycle.

Nearly fifty years ago, as he was fighting to expand health care benefits, President Kennedy said,

�All of the great revolutionary movements of the Franklin Roosevelt Administration we now take for granted. But I refuse to see us live on the accomplishments of another generation. I refuse to see this country and all of us shrink from the struggles which are our responsibility in our times.�

The struggle for health insurance reform is our responsibility today. This is our moment to revolutionize health care in this country.

We have arrived at this historic moment thanks to the hard work of so many people.

I would like to thank my good friends and colleagues, Chairman Rangel and Chairman Waxman, and our three subcommittee chairs, Representatives Rob Andrews, Frank Pallone and Pete Stark, and especially Dean John Dingell. We could not have had better teammates in this journey.

I would also like to thank the Democratic Leadership, our Speaker, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, the Majority Leader, Mr. Steny Hoyer, our Whip, Mr. James Clyburn, and all the members of leadership for the countless hours they spent working with the committee chairs to arrive at this point today.

And of course we could not have completed the work on this bill without the work of our incredibly talented staff, who worked long nights and weekends for months on end. They are the unsung heroes of this process, and I know all our colleagues join me in thanking them for their extraordinary work.

From my staff I would like to thank Mark Zuckerman, Alex Nock, Danny Weiss, Michele Varnhagen, Megan O�Reilly, Jody Calemine, Tico Almeida, Meredith Regine, James Schroll, Rachel Racusen, Aaron Albright, Amy Peake, Courtney Rochelle, and Mike Kruger.

Finally, I�d like to pay tribute to my mentor and friend, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Health care was the cause of Ted�s lifetime. Our effort would have been impossible had he not carried the torch of justice and equality for all those years.

I know I am not alone when I say that I sincerely wish Ted Kennedy could be with us today to see his dream of quality, affordable health care for all become a reality.

Mr. Speaker, this is the most important bill I have ever worked on during my many years of service in Congress.

I could not be prouder to have helped to write this bill, to encourage each of my colleagues to support it, and to cast my vote in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

We stand at the doorstep of history.

Let us go in.

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CBO Confirms Republican Health Care Bill Would Maintain the Status Quo

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Fifty-two million people would continue to go uninsured if the House Republican health care legislation was enacted, the Congressional Budget Office said tonight. Overall, CBO estimates that the bill would only reduce the number of uninsured by 3 million and would cover 83 percent of Americans by 2019 � about the same as what would happen under the status quo. In contrast, the House Democratic health insurance reform bill would cover 96 percent of Americans by 2019 and provide an additional 36 million people with access to quality, affordable health care.
�Tonight CBO confirmed that the Republicans� only solution for health reform is to preserve the status quo,� said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. �It will leave 52 million Americans literally out in the cold, does nothing to help low-income and middle-class families afford quality health care, and protects insurance companies� power to deny claims and stand between patients and their doctors.�

�Their bill fundamentally fails to repair our broken health care system. Under this proposal, Americans will continue to lose coverage if they have a pre-existing condition or lose their job, seniors will continue to suffer from the donut hole, and millions of Americans will file medical bankruptcy due to illness. This legislation may be a nice giveaway to insurance companies, but it is not the comprehensive reform American needs to cover the tens of millions of uninsured and reduce the hidden costs all Americans pay to cover them.�

According to CBO�s analysis:

�   Only 3 million people would gain coverage, �roughly in line with the current share�. �By 2019, CBO By 2019, the number of nonelderly people without health insurance would be reduced by about 3 million relative to current law, leaving about 52 million nonelderly residents uninsured. The share of legal nonelderly residents with insurance coverage in 2019 would be about 83 percent, roughly in line with the current share.� [p. 3]

�   Would not lower premiums for most consumers. �And in the large group market, which represents nearly 80 percent of total private premiums, the amendment would lower average insurance premiums in 2016 by zero to 3 percent compared with amounts under current law, according to CBO�s estimates.� [p. 5]

�   Premiums could increase for older consumers. �For example, states that loosened rating rules in the market for individually purchased insurance to allow premiums to vary more on the basis of age would cause premiums for older people to increase and premiums for younger people to decrease.� [p.7]

To view the CBO letter, click here.

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MIT Analysis Confirms That H.R. 3962 Will Deliver Substantial Savings

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, DC � According to a new analysis by MIT Professor and CBO health advisor Dr. Jonathan Gruber, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) will lower premiums and improve coverage for individuals and families purchasing in the non-group market. The MIT study estimates that an individual and a family of four would save from $470 and from $1,260, respectively, in health insurance premiums, even without subsidies. The savings would be even greater for low- and middle- income individuals and families who qualify for affordability credits that can amount to thousands of dollars per year.

�This analysis confirms that the House Democratic health care legislation will lower premiums for individuals and families who purchase insurance in the Exchange,� said Chairman Henry A. Waxman, Chairman Charles B. Rangel, and Chairman George Miller. �The individual health care market is the part of the health care system that is most dysfunctional today. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will reform that market in a way that will reduce premiums.�

The MIT estimates are based on an analysis of the bill and the CBO report released yesterday which found that the premiums in the Exchange would be significantly lower than the premiums in the non-group market. The analysis noted that the savings are in addition to the more generous benefits that individuals and families will receive through the Exchange compared to the non-group market. Dr. Gruber also noted that the lower premiums are �in addition to all the other benefits that this legislation will deliver to those consumers � in particular the guarantee, unavailable in most states, that prices would not be raised or the policy revoked if they became ill.�

House Democrats Introduce H1N1 Flu Emergency Sick-Leave Bill

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:07:24 -0500

WASHNGTON, D.C. � U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, announced emergency temporary legislation today that will guarantee five paid sick days for a worker sent home or directed to stay home by their employer for a contagious illness, such as the H1N1 flu virus. The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on the legislation the week of November 16.

�Sick workers advised to stay home by their employers shouldn�t have to choose between their livelihood, and their coworkers� or customer�s health,� said Miller. �This will not only protect employees, but it will save employers money by ensuring that sick employees don�t spread infection to co-workers and customers, and will relieve the financial burden on our health system swamped by those suffering from H1N1.�

�To help control the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, workers who are sick should stay at home,� said Woolsey. �This bill will ensure that workers who are directed to stay home by their employers can do so without paying a financial penalty.�

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that a sick worker will infect one in ten co-workers. As a result, the CDC and other public health officials have advised employers to be flexible when dealing with sick employees and to develop leave policies that will not punish workers for being ill.

At least 50 million American workers do not have access to paid sick leave, many in lower-wage jobs that have direct contact with the public such as the food-service and hospitality industry, schools and health care fields. The National Partnership for Women and Families estimates that the economy loses $180 billion in productivity a year when sick employees show up to work, also known as �presenteeism.�

Among other provisions, the Emergency Influenza Containment Act:

Guarantees a sick worker up to five paid sick leave days a year if an employer �directs� or �advises� a sick employee to stay home or go home.
Covers both full-time and part-time workers (on a pro-rated basis) in businesses with 15 or more workers. Employers that already provide at least 5 days� paid sick leave are exempt.
An employer can end paid sick leave at any time by informing the employee that the employer believes they�re well enough to return to work. Employees may continue on unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act or other existing sick leave policies.
Employees who follow their employer�s direction to stay home because of contagious illness cannot be fired, disciplined or made subject to retaliation for following directions.
Takes effect 15 days after being signed into law and sunsets after two years.

Miller: Direct Certification is an Important Tool to Ensure More Eligible Students Receive School Meals

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:13:10 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � More school districts are implementing ways to directly enroll more eligible students for free and reduced priced school meals, according to a new report out today.

The report, Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP): State Implementation Progress, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), examined the effectiveness of states and school districts in helping to eliminate barriers to direct enrollment in the NSLP. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required school districts to create systems to automatically enroll children for free school meals whose families receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps.

�There are millions of children who rely on school meals as a nutritional safety net and millions more who are eligible but are not receiving their due benefits. This report shows us the important progress schools are making to use direct certification systems to increase children�s access to school meals, but there is more work to be done to continue to improve these systems and provide critical nutrition support to working families and their children,� said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. �The school meal programs ensure that families don�t have to choose between paying their bills and feeding their children. Direct certification helps ease that burden even more.�

�Last month, Congress made important investments to help more schools to directly certify their eligible students, which will be a big step forward toward reducing this hunger risk � and in a fiscally responsible way,� Miller continued. �President Obama, Secretary Vilsack and I know that one of the most important things we can do to help our most vulnerable children succeed is to ensure they have access to healthy, safe, nutritious � and affordable � meals.�

"This report highlights what we heard last month from witnesses before our subcommittee that if we are to ensure all eligible kids have access to these important meal programs, we need to improve our direct certification capabilities," said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

For more information about the investments in child nutrition, click here.

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CBO Affirms H.R. 3962 Will Control Costs, Lower Premiums

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:00 -0500

Washington, D.C. � Today the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released estimates confirming that H.R. 3962 � the Democratic health reform bill � will succeed in controlling costs that will be reflected in individual and family premiums. CBO found that by 2016, premiums will be $5,300 for an individual and $15,000 for a family of four in the Exchange. This is well below the $24,000 family premium expected if Congress fails to act and premiums grow as projected under current law.
�This underscores that this legislation will control health care costs and lower health care premiums for families and individuals relative to today,� said Chairman Henry A. Waxman, Chairman Charles B. Rangel, and Chairman George Miller. �The Affordable Health Care for America Act will make health insurance and health care accessible for millions of low-income and middle-class families who currently lack affordable coverage.�

A Kaiser/HRET survey found that in 2009, premiums for employer-sponsored coverage are $4,824 for individuals and $13,375 for family policies. Current employer insurance is comparable to the coverage individuals and families will be able to expect in the Exchange with the bill�s insurance reforms and consumer protections in place. One recent projection estimated that health insurance premiums in 2016 will be over $8,000 for individuals and over $24,000 for families if health reform is not enacted.

CBO additionally recognizes that the House affordability credits and insurance reforms offer more help to more people than the Senate Finance Committee proposal. These provisions work in tandem to make it more attractive and likely for all people, including older Americans and those with pre-existing conditions, to get insurance instead of remaining uninsured when compared to the Senate Finance Committee proposal. The House legislation insures seven million more individuals, reaching 96 percent of all Americans.

Chairman Miller Statement on the Recovery Act Saving and Creating Education Jobs

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:04 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Education issued a report showing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments in education helped save or create 325,000 jobs.

�It is clear the historic investments in education are already starting to pay off � education budget cuts are being delayed, jobs are being created, and children aren�t losing a year of learning as the economy recovers. In my home state of California, where a budget crisis has meant major cuts across the board, these funds have helped save or create 80,000 education-related jobs. There remains an enormous amount of work ahead, but this report shows we�re on the right track to helping in the short term, while building a highly skilled, competitive workforce for generations to come.�

To read more about the Recovery Act, click here.

To view the report, click here.

Record Fine against BP for On-Going Negligence Raises Serious Concerns, Chairs Miller and Woolsey Say

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:12:17 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, today released a statement on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration�s announcement of a record $87 million proposed fine against BP Products North America for its failure to correct serious health and safety standards at the company�s Texas City, Texas refinery � the location of a 2005 explosion that killed 15 and injured 180 and has killed four more since.

�The announcement by federal OSHA today is evidence that OSHA is taking the agency�s enforcement responsibilities seriously. These citations are deeply disturbing given earlier commitments to improve conditions after the 2005 tragedy that caused massive death and injury at the Texas City, Texas refinery. I commend OSHA for taking actions to prevent another devastating explosion.�

�I applaud OSHA for taking strong action before other workers could be injured or killed,� said Woolsey. �This sends a clear message to other employers that they cannot ignore the health and safety of their workers.�

In March 2005, 15 workers were killed and 180 others were injured in an explosion at BP's Texas City, TX facility. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released an investigative report in 2007 blaming BP for cost-cutting that led to malfunctioning equipment and overworked and undertrained employees, and OSHA for failing in its investigative responsibilities. On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Education and Labor Committee heard testimony examining what went wrong at BP and OSHA with the goal of preventing future disasters.

For more information, click here.

Chairman Miller: Recovery Act Reporting Shows Us the Jobs

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a key architect of Recovery Act investments intended to help save teaching jobs, today issued the following statement after the White House released reports showing the Recovery Act is on track to creating and saving 3.5 million jobs by next fall.

�Today�s report answers every critic out there asking �where are the jobs?� While this data only gives a partial picture of the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been directly created or saved, it does show Recovery dollars are getting workers back on the job and our economy growing again. Although we still have a long way to go, which includes additional measures to spur job growth and provide displaced workers with benefits, education and job training, today�s report and yesterday�s GDP numbers are proof that we are moving in the right direction.�

The data released today accounts for only 18 percent of Recovery Act funds, and only reflects direct jobs created by those investments. It does not account for indirect jobs created by these funds, or jobs that could be created in the near future by these investments.

Chairman Miller Statement on 3rd Quarter Rise in GDP

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:52:15 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee released the following statement today after the announcement that GDP rose 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2009.

"Today's news is another important indicator that the Recovery Act is beginning to repair our economy and get our nation back on its feet. While it will take time for all these investments to kick in, we know that the Recovery Act has already helped to stave off hundreds of thousands of pink slips being planned.

�While saving and creating jobs must be a central concern, we also must ensure that Americans still looking for work have the temporary support they need to get by and that displaced workers have access to the education and training they need to succeed in the jobs of the future. We won't rest until the millions who lost their jobs during this economic crisis have an opportunity to work and are ready to help shape a new era of economic growth and innovation.�

Historic Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans Heading to House Floor

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:15:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats today. The House is expected to debate and vote on the legislation next week.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obama�s key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect people�s choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

The legislation will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will be covered by a quality, affordable health plan. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama. And the legislation will be paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years.

After the House Committees of jurisdiction debated and reported versions of the legislation in July, members of Congress have solicited unprecedented levels of input from the American people. Since then, the committees, House leadership, and the entire caucus have worked to revise the legislation to reflect the priorities that Members heard from their constituents.

�For over 70 years, generations have fought to bring the promise of quality, affordable health care to every American. Today is a groundbreaking moment in this historic effort,� said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. �The Affordable Health Care for America Act reflects the hard work and input of many members of Congress and the American people and lives up to the principles that President Obama has laid out. We are closer than ever to guaranteeing every American access to quality, affordable health insurance and giving middle-class families and businesses relief from crushing costs, while reducing our deficit.�

�For too long, health care has been a privilege, not a right in America,� said U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. �This bill ensures that every American has access to high-quality, affordable care that meets their needs, while also working to slow the staggering growth of health care costs. We have worked long and hard to develop this consensus legislation that incorporates feedback from our constituents to deliver reform that will and protect and strengthen coverage for those who have it and help cover those who are currently uninsured.�

�This is a bill that strengthens the legislation we started with in the House,� said U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. �It reflects the views that Members heard from constituents in thousands of meetings this summer and fall. It accommodates diverse views and suggestions from Members from all parts of the House. It incorporates the priorities and principles the President requested of the Congress. We listened, learned, and made improvements, and are now poised to act on a bill that will at long last make affordable, quality health care for all a reality.�

�We have the world�s best doctors and nurses, but because millions of our people have no access to the care they provide, we�ve become the unhealthiest industrialized nation on the globe. That is about to change because of H.R. 3962,� said U.S Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee and lead sponsor of H.R. 3962. �Not only will the legislation cover 96 percent of our citizens, but it will reduce the deficit and help our businesses get equal footing with international competitors. The bill offers the chance to dramatically improve the quality of life in our nation. For more than 70 years, great leaders like FDR, Truman, Clinton, Ted Kennedy and my dear old dad have fought for a bill like this. We are too close to fail them now.�

�This is a historic moment. We are one step closer to fulfilling the promise of President Obama by bringing change to Washington,� said U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), the Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will create a better health care system that will create jobs, promote wellness, and reduce health care costs for all Americans. We will continue the fight on behalf of those suffering from ever increasing health care costs and inadequate health insurance coverage. I am honored to have participated in the creation of this important bill.�

�This is history in the making for health care in America,� said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) the Chairman of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. �Once these reforms are enacted, every American will be able to take comfort in the knowledge they will have access to affordable health care and that insurance coverage won't be denied or taken away. Good health is a basic need shared by all Americans, this will make quality health care a basic right for everyone.�

�As we've worked to reduce the overall cost of this bill, I am most proud that we've done so without shifting greater costs to middle and lower income families,� said U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), the Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. �A strong public health insurance option is a key component to holding down those costs by injecting real competition and accountability into the health care marketplace. While achieving savings from Medicare, we have also re-invested in the program to eliminate the prescription drug donut hole and strengthen the program�s financial footing. This bill is a real win for American people of all ages, America's businesses of all sizes, and the budgets of our nation and our families.�
The legislation will ensure affordability for workers and middle-class families, security for seniors with a stronger, more solvent Medicare program, and a healthy fiscal future.

Members also introduced at the same time critically important companion legislation, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961). That bill will permanently reform Medicare�s physician payment system and place it on a more sustainable footing for physicians and beneficiaries in the future.

The key components of the Affordable health Care for America Act include:

Increasing choice and competition. The bill will protect and improve consumers� choices.

If people like their current plans, they will be able to keep them.
For individuals who aren�t currently covered by their employer, and some small businesses, the proposal will establish a new Health Insurance Exchange where consumers can comparison shop from a menu of affordable, quality health care options that will include private plans, health co-ops, and a new public health insurance option. The public health insurance option will play on a level playing field with private insurers, spurring additional competition.
This Exchange will create competition based on quality and price that leads to better coverage and care. Patients and doctors will have control over decisions about their health care, instead of insurance companies.

Giving Americans peace of mind. The legislation will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage � so that they won�t lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job.

Every American who receives coverage through the Exchange will have a plan that includes standardized, comprehensive and quality health care benefits.
It will end increases in premiums or denials of care based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and strictly limit age rating.
The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care, and cap out-of-pocket expensesto protects every American from bankruptcy.

Improving quality of care for every American. The legislation will ensure that Americans of all ages, from young children to retirees have access to greater quality of care by focusing on prevention, wellness, and strengthening programs that work.

Guarantees that every child in America will have health care coverage that includes dental, hearing and vision benefits.
Provides better preventive and wellness care. Every health care plan offered through the exchange and by employers after a grace period will cover preventive care at no cost to the patient.
Increases the health care workforce to ensure that more doctors and nurses are available to provide quality care as more Americans get coverage.
Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and closes the Medicare Part D �donut hole� so that seniors and low-income Americans receive better quality of care and see lower prescription drug costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Ensuring shared responsibility. The bill will ensure that individuals, employers, and the federal government share responsibility for a quality and affordable health care system.

Employers can continue offering coverage to workers, and those who choose not offer coverage contribute a fee of eight percent of payroll.
All individuals will generally be required to get coverage, either through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of income, subject to a hardship exemption.
The federal government will provide affordability credits, available on a sliding scale for low- and middle-income individuals and families to make premiums affordable and reduce cost-sharing.

Protecting consumers and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. The legislation will put the interests of consumers first, protect them from problems in getting and keeping health care coverage, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

Provides transparency in plans in the Health Exchange so that consumers have the clear, complete information, in plain English, needed to select the plan that best meets their needs.
Establishes consumer advocacy offices as part of the Exchange in order to protect consumers, answer questions, and assist with any problems related to their plans.
Simplifies paperwork and other administrative burdens. Patients, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, providers, and employers will all encounter a streamlined, less confusing, more consumer friendly system.
Increases funding of efforts to reduce waste, fraud and abuse; creates enhanced oversight of Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Reducing the deficit and ensuring the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation will be entirely paid for � it will not add a dime to the deficit. It will also put Medicare and Medicaid on the path to a more fiscally sound future, so seniors and low-income Americans can continue to receive the quality health care benefits for years to come.

Pays for the entire cost of the legislation though a combination of savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient � without cutting seniors� benefits in any way � and revenue generated from placing a surcharge the top 0.3 percent of all households in the U.S.(married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other tax measures.
The Congressional Budget estimates the bill will reduce the deficit by at least $100 billion over ten years.
Estimates also show the bill will slow the rate of growth of the Medicare program from 6.6 percent annually to 5.3 percent annually.

To view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for American Act, H.R. 3926, click here.

To view a copy of the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, H.R. 3961, click here.

To view a bill summary, detailed fact sheets and more information on what the health insurance reform will mean for American, click here.

Greater Oversight of State Worker Health and Safety Programs Needed, Witnesses tell House Labor Panel

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:50:58 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Stronger federal oversight of state-run health and safety programs is needed to ensure that states provide workers with basic on-the-job protections, witnesses told the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. Serious questions were raised after a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration review of Nevada OSHA found significant gaps in the agency�s protections.

�Basic oversight of state plans is not only important in Nevada, but it is vital to the 57 million American workers whose health and safety protections are enforced by a state plan,� said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the committee. �While some states are running innovative programs, it is clear that additional reviews of state plans are warranted.�

Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state can operate their own workplace health and safety program as long as they meet basic federal minimum standards. Twenty-seven states and territories operate such programs and are partially funded by the federal government.

�Workers need to know that OSHA will enforce the laws that will keep them safe on the job,� said Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV). �Unfortunately the federal report clearly illustrates that Nevada OSHA let our workers down. I thank Chairman Miller for shining a light on this dismal record of workplace safety so that we can bring about meaningful reforms that will protect workers, remove undue political influence from the process, and restore confidence in Nevada OSHA.�

A federal review of Nevada�s OSHA program found that the state failed to cite employers for clear hazards, didn't properly train inspectors on construction hazards, didn't follow up to ensure that dangerous conditions were fixed, failed to include worker representatives in inspections, and even failed to notify families of deceased workers of investigations or give them the chance to speak to investigators. Last year only 29 percent of Nevada�s citations were classified as �serious� compared to 44 percent for other state plans and 77 percent for federal OSHA.

The review of Nevada OSHA was prompted after a 12 construction deaths on the Las Vegas Strip over an 18-month period during the city�s latest construction boom and a Pulitzer Prize-winning series by the Las Vegas Sun.

�State plan standards and enforcement must be at least as effective as Federal OSHA in providing safe and healthful employment to workers in the state,� said Jordan Barab, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. �Federal OSHA identified a number of serious concerns about the Nevada plan.�

Barab also said the agency plans to increase oversight of all state programs after the federal OSHA review of the Nevada program.

For example, federal OSHA found that Nevada OSHA weakened penalties against a major hotel firm after two workers died and one was seriously injured at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, even though there was a history of similar problems. The investigator of the tragedy filed a complaint with federal OSHA regarding the lesser penalties and alleged that the lowered penalties were the result of OSHA protecting the contractor from bad publicity and a wrongful death lawsuit by the workers� families. He later resigned.

�The federal OSHA review of the Nevada state plan agency confirms that NV OSHA utterly failed not only my son�but also all workers in the state of Nevada,� said Debi Koehler-Fergen, the mother of Travis Koehler who died in the Orleans tragedy. �[NV OSHA] is allowing powerful companies to use their political connections to influence such things as the outcome of investigations.�

Nevada OSHA also testified and pledged to improve their program.

Barab also announced that federal OSHA will undertake additional reviews of state-based health and safety programs similar to the one they agency completed on Nevada. Franklin Mirer, a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the City University of New York testified that additional reviews are warranted because states that operate their own health and safety plan often have lower rates of citations than federal OSHA.

�The OSHA report, and the press reports, depict failures of the enforcement process in the Nevada state plan,� said Mirer. �Compared to OSHA, state plans in general issue fewer citations classified as higher gravity, including serious, willful, failure to abate and repeated. Federal OSHA can take this opportunity to improve its oversight of state plans.�

The Education and Labor Committee first examined construction safety problems in a 2008 hearing, including a string of deaths during the recent building boom on the Las Vegas strip. The hearing found that even when Nevada issued fines to employers for operating an unsafe workplace, those sanctions were often later reduced or even eliminated.

Miller said that he is planning additional oversight activities into this issue.

For more information on the 2008 hearing, click here.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here.

Miller: New Report Shows Too Many States Weakening Education Standards

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:07:01 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Many states have lowered the bar on what their students are expected to learn -- meaning that fewer children are being held to expectations that will adequately prepare them for a competitive economy, according to a new report released today.

The study, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, placed all state academic standards for proficiency in reading and math scores on a common scale to compare results across states and compare with/to proficiency standards set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Among other things, the report found that most states are below or only meet basic standards set by NAEP. As a result, the rigor of a child�s education can depend entirely on the state where they live.

�The quality of a child�s education should not be determined by their zip code. It is unacceptable that many states have chosen to lower the bar rather than strive for excellence. This means that many students aren�t even expected to rise to meet rigorous standards � they are allowed to linger in a system that doesn�t challenge them to do better and doesn�t help them develop the complex skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the jobs of the future,� said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. �If we are serious about rebuilding our economy and restoring our competitiveness, then its time for states to adopt a common core of internationally-benchmarked standards that can prepare all children in this country to achieve and succeed in this global economy.�

To read the full report, Mapping State Proficiency Standards Onto National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Scales: 2005-2007, click here.

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Chairmen Rahall and Miller Deliver for Indian Country in House Health Insurance Reform Bill

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0500

Washington, D.C. � House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) today announced that they successfully secured provisions in the House version of the health insurance reform package that would provide for reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) � a long-sought priority for the two Chairmen.

�The job of reforming the Nation�s health care system and providing access to quality care for all Americans will not be complete until such care is extended to those living in Indian Country. In the 17 years that have lapsed since the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) was last reauthorized, the dire needs of health recipients throughout native communities that rely on these services have suffered. That is why it is more important now, than ever, that we work to fulfill our federal responsibility and see that the needs of our First Americans are attended to through national health insurance reform legislation,� said Chairman Rahall.

�We have a special responsibility to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act after more than a decade of delay. Today's news is a critical step for Indian Country and the best chance for passage of this legislation. Improving the quality and availability of care to American Indians and Alaska Natives is an important piece of our effort to ensure access to affordable, quality health care for every American,� said Chairman Miller, one of three Chairmen writing the health insurance reform bill.

�Words cannot express my gratitude to Chairman Rahall and Chairman Miller, who have been with us from the beginning as we worked together to address long-standing deficiencies in the delivery of Indian health care. We are elated that our long journey to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act is one giant step closer to being realized, through the inclusion of this critical legislation in the House health insurance reform bill. This critical effort to modernize our health care delivery system will go a long way in improving the health status of those living in Native American and Alaska Native communities,� said Rachel Joseph, Co-Chair of the National Tribal Steering Committee for the Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

First enacted in 1976, IHCIA is the primary source of medical care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, many of whom live in isolated, sparsely populated, and underserved areas of the country. Yet, the program was allowed to expire in 2001 and has not been reauthorized in 17 years, keeping the programs far out of pace with the dire needs of health service recipients throughout the native communities that rely on these services.

In June 2009, Rahall and Miller co-sponsored bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2708, to reauthorize the Act. Later that month, Rahall, who has long made IHCIA reauthorization a priority, led a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the critical and needed legislation.