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Sebelius Confirmation Strengthens Prospects for Comprehensive Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, today lauded the Senate’s confirmation of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Miller said today’s action further strengthens prospects for meeting President Obama’s goal of enacting comprehensive health care reforms this year.
“With our nation facing a swine flu outbreak, and the need for health care reform growing by the day, I am pleased that the Senate has finally confirmed Kathleen Sebelius as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services. Secretary Sebelius’s leadership and experience will be a tremendous asset to our efforts to fix our broken health care system and ensure that all Americans have access to access to quality and affordable health insurance. Momentum is growing for passing a comprehensive reform package this year with the Obama administration and Congress united in our belief that improving health care is fundamental to rebuilding a strong economy.”
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Health Care Chairs Report Continued Progress and Coordination on Reform Efforts
The chairmen of the three committees working to develop health care reform legislation in the House - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (CA), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (NY), and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (CA) - today met with Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and other health care leaders to discuss the reform initiative. Hoyer and the three chairmen issued the following statement after the meeting:
“We may have three Committees with jurisdiction over health care in the House of Representatives, but we speak with one voice. Reforming America’s health care system to control costs and ensure that everyone has affordable care that meets their needs is central to long-term economic recovery and growth. We are committed to working together to advance health reform legislation that meets the objectives laid out by President Obama. Today’s meeting was very productive as we continue to move forward in a focused and coordinated way to improve health care for all Americans. ”
House Democrats continue to be very focused on the goal of passing a comprehensive health care reform package this year. In the 111th Congress, the three committees of jurisdiction have conducted 10 hearings on health care reform, including two this week. Over the April District Work Period, Democrats held more than 150 health care related events in their districts on the need for reform. The goal is to pass a comprehensive health care bill through the House by August.
Other members participating in the meeting were Rep. John D. Dingell (MI), Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; Rep. Pete Stark (CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; and Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ), Chairman of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions.
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Miller hails federal funding for water projects in California
$135 million authorized in Recovery Act now headed to water recycling programs to help ease drought, reduce demand on overstretched water supplies;
$20 million investment in Contra Costa will protect Bay-Delta fisheries and drinking water supply
Concord , CA – Millions of federal dollars will soon be flowing to California for environmental protection, drought relief, and water recycling projects from the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez), who led the congressional effort to authorize and secure funding for water recycling efforts in the Bay Area, hailed the announcement of federal funding made this morning in Sacramento by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
“This investment in water recycling represents a huge shift in federal priorities for California ’s urgent water needs,” Miller said today. “The $135 million approved by Congress and President Obama this year contrasts markedly from the $7 million President Bush requested for water recycling efforts during his last year in office. Thanks to the leadership of the President and Secretary Salazar, Californians will start to see the benefits of innovative water reuse and water recycling programs and how essential they are to drought-proofing our communities and creating a sustainable water supply for our future.”
The $135 million announced today is the highest single amount ever provided to the federal water recycling program. Bay Area cities like Pittsburg , which is actively pursuing a clean recycled water program to create a steady source of water, will be eligible to compete for the funds.
Salazar also announced $20 million for the construction of a fish screening facility at the pump station intake for the Contra Costa Canal , which will protect troubled Bay-Delta fisheries while improving water delivery by 20% for Contra Costa Water District customers. Miller fought for the fish screen funding, along with Reps. Ellen Tauscher and Jerry McNerney.
Salazar also announced $40 million for drought relief projects in California , including the installation of rock barriers near Franks Tract in the Delta, a pilot project that could significantly benefit the Bay-Delta ecosystem while improving water supply reliability for the state.
For more information, please visit: http://recovery.doi.gov.
baydelta
economic recovery
economy
energyandenvironment
natural resources
water
wildlife
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