EC From DC - July 1, 2011
CUTS THAT HURT ALL OF US
On Tuesday, I joined with several local leaders, including Congressman William "Lacy" Clay and Senator Tom Harkin, and the national health care consumer organization, FamiliesUSA to talk about how Medicaid cuts would hurt our economy here in Missouri.
I have already shared with you, many times, how dangerously detrimental I believe the cuts to Medicaid will be for low-
income and middle-class families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. But now experts are saying these cuts will take a toll on all of us--the entire economy of Missouri.
The Medicaid cuts in the House Republican budget, if implemented today, would have a devastating impact on the struggling economy of our nation, our state, and our communities. These cuts would put as many as 35,210 jobs and as much as $4.2 billion in state business activity at risk. That's the conclusion of a report for Missouri released today by the national health care consumer organization Families USA.
In recent memory, I have often heard it said that we must cut the budget in order to get our economy back on track. While I could not agree more that we as a nation must learn to live within our means, this report is a call to caution.
The least of these should not bear the burden for a problem they did not produce.
The cuts called for in Congress have a real, painful impact in our communities. Worse, the cuts will hinder our economic recovery.
The report "Jobs at Risk" looks at the economic impact of a 5 percent, 15 percent and 33 percent cut in current Medicaid funding levels. Implementing a 5 percent cut in Medicaid spending in 2011 would:
Cost Missouri almost $290.7 million in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $633.7 million in business activity and 5,330 jobs;
Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the $13.75 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents, including funding for nursing home care and other long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
A 15 percent cut in federal Medicaid spending in 2011 would have a greater impact and would:
Cost Missouri nearly 872.1 million in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $1.9 billion in business activity and 16,000 jobs;
Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the $41.25 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents.
A 33 percent cut in federal Medicaid spending in 2011 would:
Cost Missouri more than $1.9 billion in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $4.2 billion in business activity and 35,210 jobs;
Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the almost $90.8 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents.
If you want to learn more, the "Jobs at Risk" data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia are available at:
https://familiesusa.org/product/defending-health-care-programs-budget-cuts
A CALL FOR HELP
Yesterday, I joined my friends in the Missouri Delegation in sending a letter to President Obama, asking him to approve of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's request for emergency assistance for those counties affected by flooding. The affected areas include Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Warren Counties and the independent City of St. Louis.
Dear Mr. President:
AN IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY
Lyndon Johnson signing Medicare bill, with Harry Truman, July 30, 1965 at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo.
Today is an important day. Today is the 45th anniversary of when the Medicare program was launched. President Lyndon Johnson had signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965, and then it was on July 1, 1966, when enrollees first entered the program.
Today, we celebrate the tremendous success of Medicare in providing seniors and people with disabilities with health care security. Today, Medicare provides comprehensive health care coverage to 47 million Americans, including 39 million seniors and 8 million people under 65 with disabilities. Medicare is also enormously popular with seniors and people with disabilities – with Medicare beneficiaries more satisfied with their coverage than Americans with private insurance. Medicare provides a guaranteed set of benefits and affordable premiums.
Unfortunately, on April 15, 2011, House Republicans passed a budget that would end Medicare and replace it with a system where seniors get a voucher to go out and buy private insurance, for all Americans now under 55 – with the result of reducing benefits and raising seniors' costs. Republicans argue that the Medicare program cannot be maintained and must be completely replaced. I disagree.
On the 45th anniversary of the launching of Medicare, I cannot accept my colleague's view that the program must be scrapped and replaced with a new system that shifts costs to seniors. During my time in Congress, and in fact over the last 45 years, we have fought vigorously to protect and strengthen Medicare. I voted to increase and protect the solvency of Medicare in the Affordable Care Act--that extended solvency for an additional eight years. Rest assured I will continue to fight to protect this program on which so many depend.
FRONT STREET
This project is funded in part with ARRA/EECBG funds from the US Department of Transportation and by the City of Kansas City.
A DAY IN SALINE COUNTY
At the invitation of Mr. Bill Riggins, of the Marshall-Saline Development Corporation, I spent 11 hours on Wednesday visiting with residents and businesses in Saline County – particularly around Marshall and Malta Bend. It was nostalgic – reminding me of spending part of my childhood on my grandfather's farm in Texas. While I will not officially represent Saline County until Jan. 2013, I am grateful to Bill for inviting me and giving me a chance to meet some great people. This was not my first visit to Marshall, nor will it be my last, but I appreciated the opportunity to hear some of their concerns and learn more about the issues impacting them. The Marshall Democrat-News covered my visit, their story and photo gallery can be linked below:
https://www.marshallnews.com/story/1740800.html
https://www.marshallnews.com/gallery/8230
UEP
I was pleased on Tuesday to visit UEP (Urban Entrepreneur Partnership), a program of the Kauffman Foundation. Among others, I met with (right-to-left) Mr. Prentiss Earl, III (Business Development Specialist), Ms. Jaime Simmons, (Junior Marketing Associate), Dr. Lena Rodriguez, (Chief Marketing/Development Officer) and Mr. Joe Athon, (Business Development Specialist). I am excited by the many opportunities this program presents to entrepreneurs in our community.
Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
On Thursday, June 30th, I visited Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc. in Grandview, Missouri. MWV is a global leader in packaging and packaging solutions. The Grandview, MO plant specializes in dispensing solutions and employs 403 individuals locally. Calmar Dispensing Solutions has been in business for over 50 years and is the world's largest supplier of trigger sprayers. It provides sprayers for major brands, including Windex, Scotch, and Proctor Gamble. It was an honor to tour the plant and visit with so many hard working residents of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District
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