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November 10, 2009 - Remember our veterans November 6, 2009 - CBO report says alternative health care reform would save money November 5, 2009 - Health Care Reform by the Numbers November 3, 2009 - Inside the health care reform legislation November 2, 2009 - See my video showing the size of the new health care legislation October 29, 2009 - New Health-Care Legislation Unveiled October 23, 2009 - Town Hall Meeting Monday October 22, 2009 - Iran sanctions vote passes October 1, 2009 - Where does health care reform stand now? September 25, 2009 - Taxpayers shouldn't fund controversial ACORN group |
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Where does health care reform stand now?
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October 1, 2009
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When President Obama said during his September 9 speech to Congress that “there remain some significant details to be ironed out,” he wasn’t kidding. Health care reform proposals have taken many changes since the first bill was introduced in the House on July 14, and it will likely change much more this fall.
The Senate Finance Committee has now unveiled another version of the bill that is significantly different from the proposals in the House. So it may be a long time before those differences are worked out and there is a final bill on which to vote.
Based on what I have been hearing from people across the 12th District of Florida, they are very skeptical that an expansion of the role of government can deliver what the administration promises and that it won’t result in devastating tax increases or in a nightmare of bureaucratic red tape coming between patients and their doctors.
In addition, the inclusion of a "public option" component, a government insurance program, has me and a lot of other people concerned it could be the first step toward an eventual government takeover of the entire health insurance system.
Instead of the wholesale changes that have alarmed so many Americans this summer, I believe we could make significant improvements by adopting patient-centered approaches targeting specific problems in the current health care system. For instance, we can allow small businesses and individuals to join together in purchasing pools that would give them the same bargaining power as larger companies; we can extend the same tax benefits that large corporations enjoy to small businesses and individuals; we can allow interstate competition of insurers to help drive down rates; and we can work to help people who are eligible for existing government programs to get enrolled. To learn more about these ideas and the other issues before Congress, visit my Web site: www.adamputnam.house.gov
One of the factors that may have upset Americans the most in the early stages of the health reform debate was the great haste with which Congress seemed to be moving on a very complex (nearly 1,300 pages) and expensive (estimated at about $1 trillion) piece of legislation.
I believe all members of Congress must have adequate time to study legislation before it comes to the floor for a vote, and members of the public should have the opportunity to review legislation on-line before a vote is called.
Below is a timeline of the current health care reform legislation:
June 2, 2009: The president calls for Congress to pass health reform before members of Congress leave Washington for the District Work Period in August.
July 14, 2009: HR. 3200, (America's Health Choices Act) is introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Dingell of Michigan.
July 15, 2009: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passes its version of health care reform, the Affordable Health Choices Act (S-1679).
July 17, 2009: H.R. 3200 is passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 23 – 18.
July 17, 2009: H.R. 3200 is passed out of the House Education and Labor Committee by a vote of 26 – 22.
July 31, 2009: H.R. 3200 is passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 31 – 28.
September 9, 2009: President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress and calls for immediate action on healthcare reform.
September 22, 2009: The Senate Finance Committee begins consideration of its version of health care reform, America's Healthy Futures Act.
Sincerely yours,
Adam H. Putnam, Member of Congress
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Flu update and information
By this time, most people are aware of the new influenza virus called H1N1, or "swine flu." This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009, and it is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
This virus got its name “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
The Federal Government's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
In addition to the "swine flu," the CDC also expects the seasonal variety of flu to emerge this winter. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.
It is important to take precautions against both strains of the flu, and to avoid spreading these illnesses if you have them.
The CDC recommends taking these everyday steps to protect your health:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
For additional information about the flu, including regular updates, visit the CDC's Web site: www.cdc.gov
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Planning a trip
Washington?
My office can assist you with information on the many fascinating things to see and do in Washington, D.C. Please visit the Tours section of my webpage for more information.
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E-MAIL UPDATES
Yes, please periodically send me e-mail updates.*
*By subscribing to my e-mail updates, you are authorizing me to send regular e-mail updates from my office to your e-mail account.
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District Office:
650 East Davidson Street
Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: 863-534-3530
Toll Free: 866-534-3530
Fax: 863-534-3559 |
Contact Congressman
Adam H. Putnam by e-mail |
Washington Office:
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0912
Phone: 202-225-1252
Fax: 202-226-0585 |
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