NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA'S BORDER CONGRESSMAN!
HEALTH & SAFETY
Congressman Filner
Supports Border Health Security Act
Congressman Bob Filner today
announced his co-sponsorship of H.R. 5592, the
Border Health Security Act of 2008. H.R. 5592
would provide $10 million in funding for local
governments and organizations to improve border
residents’ health and preparedness for
bioterrorism.
“Border communities need
additional assistance to ensure that they have
access to high quality healthcare, as well as
the resources necessary to respond to a
terrorist attack,” said Congressman Filner. “I
am proud to co-sponsor this bill, and I will
continue to work with my colleagues to
strengthen our border healthcare system.”
The bill directs the Department
of Health and Human Services to authorize grant
funding for public healthcare and
infrastructure, behavioral and mental health
services, workforce training and development,
community health workers or promotoras, health
disparities in the border area, environmental
health and health education.
“The rapid exchange of people,
ideas and culture are what makes our border
communities vibrant, unique places to live.
Unfortunately, border communities are also
forced to bear the economic burden of providing
costly services, and I believe that the Federal
Government must take a leading role in ensuring
that the quality of life in our communities does
not suffer due to international pressures. This
legislation provides an important first step,”
added Congressman Filner.
During “Cover the Uninsured” Week, Filner Calls
for Expanded Health Coverage for America’s
Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week,
“Cover the Uninsured Week,” Congressman Bob
Filner reaffirmed his commitment to expanding
health care coverage for our nation’s children.
“Today, there are nearly 9
million American children without health
insurance, and this disturbing statistic would
be much worse if it were not for the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program,” said
Congressman Filner. “In a country as wealthy as
ours, forcing children to go without health
insurance is a national disgrace.”
The State Children’s Health
Insurance Program – or “SCHIP” – was established
by Congress in 1997 to expand health care
coverage for children. It provides matching
funds to states to help them provide health care
coverage for children living in families that
are earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but
not enough to afford private insurance. Since it
was created in 1997, SCHIP has been a
successful, cost-effective program. Currently, 6
million children are enrolled in SCHIP.
“After SCHIP was created, the
number of children without health insurance
began to fall every year,” pointed out Filner.
“And yet, for the past two years, for the first
time since 1998, the number of uninsured
children actually went up. These devastating
statistics highlight the growing number of
families without access to affordable health
insurance and the need for Congress to
strengthen SCHIP.”
“Studies show us that it makes an
enormous difference for a child’s health whether
or not they have health care coverage,” said
Congressman Filner. “We know that children who
have health insurance are better prepared to
learn in school and better equipped to succeed
in life.”
Children without health insurance
are twice as likely not to receive any medical
care in a given year as children with health
care coverage. In addition, more than one in
three uninsured children do not have a personal
doctor or nurse – significantly higher than the
rate for children with health care coverage
(13.5 percent).
“Last year, Congress twice passed
vital, bipartisan legislation that would have
extended and strengthened the State Children’s
Health Insurance Program – providing health care
coverage for 10 million children,” added Filner.
“This bill would have given states the tools and
incentives necessary to reach millions of
uninsured children who are eligible, but not
enrolled in SCHIP.”
Unfortunately, despite the fact
that this legislation was supported by 68
Senators, including 18 Republicans; 43
Governors, including 16 Republicans; more than
270 organizations; and 81 percent of the
American people; President Bush vetoed the
legislation both times.
“The Democratic-led Congress
strongly disagrees with the President’s position
on SCHIP,” said Congressman Filner. “We believe
that our society has an obligation to protect
our children, who cannot protect themselves.”
“The Democratic-led Congress will
continue its efforts to renew and strengthen the
vital SCHIP program,” Filner concluded. “We will
continue to fight until legislation providing
health care coverage for 10 million children is
signed into law – if not by this President, then
by the next. Our children deserve no less.”
Filner Stands Up For
9/11 Heroes
More than 1,035 Californians Have
Health Concerns From WTC Attacks
Washington, D.C. – Congressman
Bob Filner announced today that he is taking
action to provide health care, medical
monitoring, and compensation to California
residents and thousands of others across the
country who are sick or injured as a result of
the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Congressman Filner has
cosponsored H.R. 3543, the
9/11 Health and
Compensation Act, which would ensure
medical monitoring for everyone who was exposed
to toxins released by the collapse of the World
Trade Center towers, treatment for anyone who is
sick as a result, and compensation for economic
losses by reopening the 9/11 Victim Compensation
Fund. Under this bill, proper care would be
guaranteed to the thousands of people who came
from across the country to respond to the 9/11
attacks.
Filner noted that 1,035
Californians, including 39 who reside in
Filner’s district, have signed up for the
World Trade Center Health
Registry, indicating that they were
in lower Manhattan on or shortly after 9/11 and
now have serious concerns about their health.
“First responders from all 50 states came to New
York to help in the aftermath of 9/11, but the
federal government has refused to respond to
their subsequent health needs. We must reverse
this reprehensible policy and help the very
people who stepped up to help us,”
said
Congressman Filner.
“This bill will provide appropriate care to
thousands of Americans who are suffering as a
result of their heroism and public service after
the terrorist attacks on our country. I look
forward to working with my colleagues in
Congress to pass this bipartisan and truly
patriotic legislation.”
Background
The collapse of the Twin Towers
on September 11, 2001 released a massive dust
cloud containing thousands of tons of coarse and
fine particulate matter, cement dust, glass
fibers, asbestos, lead, hydrochloric acid, and
other toxic pollutants. Hundreds of thousands
of people were exposed to the toxins of Ground
Zero, including first responders; rescue,
recovery, and clean-up workers; volunteers from
all 50 states; and area residents, office
workers, and schoolchildren. Thousands of
people are now sick as a result of their
exposure.
Summary of the 9/11 Health and
Compensation Act
In general, the bill would:
-
Ensure that everyone exposed
to the Ground Zero toxins has a right to be
medically monitored and all who are sick as
a result have a right to treatment;
-
Expand care to the entire
exposed community, which includes residents,
area workers and school children as well as
the thousands of people from across the
country who assisted with the recovery and
clean-up effort; and
-
Provide compensation for
economic damages by reopening the 9/11
Victim Compensation Fund.
Specifically, the bill would:
Establish
the World Trade Center Health Program within
the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) to provide medical monitoring
and treatment for WTC-related conditions to WTC
Responders and WTC-area residents and other
non-responders, with no cost sharing. The
program will be administered by the Director of
NIOSH or his designee. The bill would also
establish the WTC Health Program Steering
Committee and the WTC Health Program
Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee.
Provide
Monitoring and Treatment for WTC Responders.
If a responder is determined to be eligible for
monitoring based on the criteria provided for in
the bill, then that responder has a right to
medical monitoring that is paid for by the
program. Once a responder is in monitoring, if
an approved physician diagnoses a condition that
is on the list of presumed WTC-related health
conditions in the bill, then that responder has
a right to treatment for that condition that is
paid for by the program.
Provide
Monitoring and Treatment for WTC Responders
outside of NY area. The program
administrator will establish a nationwide
network of providers so that eligible responders
who live outside of the New York area can
reasonable access monitoring and treatment
benefits near where they live.
Provide
for Research into Conditions. In
consultation with the Program Steering Committee
and under all applicable privacy protections,
HHS will conduct or support research about
conditions that may be WTC-related, and about
diagnosing and treating WTC-related conditions.
Extend
support for NYC Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene programs: NIOSH would extend and
expand support for the World Trade Center Health
Registry and provide grants for the mental
health needs of individuals who are not
otherwise eligible for services under this bill.
Reopen the
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund to
provide compensation for economic damages and
loss for individuals who did not file before or
became ill after the original December 22, 2003
deadline. The bill would allow for adjustment
of previous awards if the Special Master of the
fund determines the medical conditions of the
claimant warrants an adjustment, and amend
eligibility rules so that responders to the 9/11
attacks who arrived later than the first 96
hours after the attacks could be eligible if
they experienced illness or injury from their
work at the site.
Filner Backs Bill to
Reauthorize U.S. Effort to Combat Global
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
This Program Has Already Saved Millions of Lives
and Can Help
Restore American Moral Leadership Around the
World
Washington, D.C. – Congressman
Bob Filner today joined a bipartisan majority in
the House of Representatives in support of
landmark legislation that will extend and expand
a key initiative to combat HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, and malaria around the globe. The
Lantos-Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Reauthorization was approved by a vote of 308 to
116.
“Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic
began in 1981, 20 million men, women and
children around the globe have died from the
disease, with about three-fourths of the deaths
occurring in sub-Saharan Africa,” said
Congressman Filner. “Today, there are 40
million people around the globe who are
HIV-positive. Each and every day, another 6,000
people become infected with HIV. There is a
moral imperative to combat this epidemic.”
In May of 2003, on a bipartisan
basis, the Congress enacted the U.S. Leadership
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act
(PL 108-25) – authorizing $15 billion over five
years for U.S. contributions to both bilateral
and multilateral efforts. It was based on the
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),
which he unveiled in January 2003. Over the
last five years, this program has been critical,
particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – for
example, having provided life-saving drugs to
almost 1.5 million AIDS patients and having
promoted successful programs to prevent the
spread of the HIV infection.
This bill reauthorizes and
expands this key initiative over the next five
years – authorizing $50 billion. It is a
carefully-crafted bipartisan compromise – worked
out between House Democrats, House Republicans,
and the Bush Administration.
In the first five years of the
U.S. response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic,
U.S. policy was driven by the urgency of an
emergency response. Under this bill, the U.S.
will develop and implement strategies to
transition from the emergency phase to long-term
sustainability that can be maintained by the
host countries.
The bill’s goals
include: preventing 12 million new HIV
infections by 2013; providing life-saving drugs
for 3 million AIDS patients; providing medical
and nonmedical care for 12 million people
(including 5 million orphans); and training
140,000 new health care workers.
“Back in 2003, Congress launched
this program, proposed by President Bush, on a
bipartisan basis,” said Filner. “And, I am
pleased that today Congress, also with a large
bipartisan majority, renewed and expanded this
essential program. The United States is showing
moral leadership by leading the global effort to
eradicate HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria from the
face of the globe.”
Congressman Filner
Recognizes the Arc of San Diego
In honor of
the National Disability Awareness Month,
Congressman Bob Filner recently presented a
Proclamation recognizing The Arc of San Diego
for their dedication to improving the lives of
people with disabilities, at the Open House for
the Starlight Center. The Starlight Center
provides day services to almost 300 children and
adults with disabilities. Pictured here with the
Congressman is Meki Tsehay, Starlight
participant.
Filner Backs
Expansion of Mental Health Coverage
Legislation Will Help End Discrimination Against
Patients with Mental Illnesses
Washington, D.C. – Congressman
Bob Filner today joined a bipartisan majority in
the House of Representatives in support of
landmark legislation that will help end
discrimination against patients requiring
treatment for mental illnesses. H.R. 1424, the
Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction
Equity Act, was approved by a vote of 268 to
148.
“Mental illnesses are treatable
diseases that impact millions of Americans each
year, including minorities who are less likely
to receive the necessary mental health services”
said Congressman Filner. “Unfortunately, many
group health plans currently do not provide the
same coverage for mental illnesses as they do
for physical ailments. I’m proud to support
important legislation that will help end this
practice and ensure more Americans get the care
they need and deserve.”
Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy
(D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN) the bipartisan
bill approved today prohibits insurers and group
health plans from imposing treatment or
financial limitations when they offer mental
health benefits that are more restrictive from
those applied to medical and surgical services.
The legislation applies only to
insurers and group health plans that provide
mental health benefits and the non-partisan
Congressional Budget Office has estimated that
this legislation will have a miniscule impact on
health insurance premiums.
Over the last eight years, the
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
has made “parity” coverage for mental health
care available to Members of Congress and 8.5
million other federal employees. Research has
shown that there has been no significant cost
increase attributable to this new coverage.
Now, this bill makes available to all Americans
the access to affordable mental health services
already available to Members of Congress.
“Reducing the stigma in mental
health coverage is critical, especially to
Latinos,” Filner added. “With the passage of
this bill, Democrats have sent a clear message
about the importance of mental health
treatment.”
Latinos are at high-risk for
depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Fewer
than 1 in 11 Latinos with mental health
disorders contact mental health specialists,
while fewer than 1 in 5 contact general health
providers.
The bill is backed by a diverse
group of organizations including the American
Medical Association, American Hospital
Association, American Nurses Association,
American Academy of Pediatrics, National
Hispanic Medical Association, American
Counseling Association, Families USA, American
Psychiatric Association, American Psychological
Association, National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors, National Mental
Health Awareness Campaign, and Mental Health
America.
Filner to Help San Diego Communities Prepare for
Future Wildfires
Congressman Bob
Filner and Congressman Mark Udall of Colorado
recently introduced legislation that would
establish incentives for high-risk communities
to minimize fire damage. The bill sets a
national standard for at-risk communities and
provides grants to develop better fire
prevention and response strategies.
“Over the past
decade, we have seen the damage that wildfires
have wreaked in Southern California. This
legislation goes a long way toward preparing for
future disasters,” said Congressman Filner.
The bill directs
the National Institute of Standards and
Technology to create a model ordinance with the
U.S. Fire Administration, the U.S. Forest
Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The
ordinance will provide a baseline for
communities to prepare for wildfires by
recommending effective water supply,
construction materials and techniques as well as
defensible space, vegetation management, and
infrastructure standards.
“In order to
ensure the safety of our families and homes, it
is essential that we prepare our communities for
future wildfires. Proper planning and
construction will minimize damage and prevent
loss of life and property,” said Congressman
Filner.
Congressman Filner
Announces FEMA Grants for Imperial County,
Brawley, and El Centro
Today, Congressman
Bob Filner announced Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) grants for the Imperial
County Sheriff’s Department, the Brawley Police
Department, and the City of El Centro Fire
Department. These grants were issued under the
Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP),
which provides smaller communities and rural
areas with technology and equipment, together
with training and technical assistance, to help
enhance first responder capabilities.
“I am pleased that
the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA
recognize the vital needs of our community in
providing this essential equipment. These
grants will go a long way toward keeping us safe
and prepared,” said Congressman Filner.
The Commercial
Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP)
complements the Department of Homeland
Security’s other major grants programs to
enhance regional response capabilities, mutual
aid, and interoperable communications by
providing technology and equipment. CEDAP also
provides funding for the training required to
operate new equipment and to prepare law
enforcement and emergency responder agencies in
smaller jurisdictions and certain metropolitan
areas.
The Imperial
County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded
$11,794 for the TacSight SE35 Advanced Thermal
Imager for Law Enforcement. The City of El
Centro Fire Department was awarded $30,935.80
for the CEDAP Chemical Detection Kit. The City
of Brawley Police Department was awarded $8,499
for a Detection/Deterrence Search and
Surveillance System.
“As a border
community, Imperial County is on the frontlines
in the effort to keep our nation safe. These
grants and equipment provide our law enforcement
officers and emergency responders with the tools
they need to protect our community,” said
Congressman Filner.
Congressman
Filner Announces $502,000 Grant For Imperial
Valley
Congressman
Bob Filner announced today that the Clinicas
De Salud Del Pueblo has received a $502,000
grant from the Department of Health and
Human Services. Clinicas was established in
1970 and is a private, non-profit Federally
Qualified Heath Center. Clinicas currently
operates eight health care centers, three
dental clinics, and three Women, Infants and
Children (WIC) Programs in Imperial and
Riverside Counties.
"This grant
will provide funding for a health care
clinic in the Community of Coachella, to
provide direct access to quality and
comprehensive primary and preventive care,"
said Clinicas CEO Yvonne Bell. "Diabetes,
asthma, hypertension, cancer, and chronic
disease management will be addressed with
culturally and linguistically competent and
appropriate treatment."
Congressman
Filner said, "With the rising need for
health care in Coachella, these funds are
critical and will provide services to a
population that currently has inadequate
health care."
The estimated
target date for opening this health care
facility is slated for October, 2007 with
two full-time providers and 14 support
staff. The project will serve 2,400 users
in the first year, 3,070 in the second year,
and 3,214 in year three. Bell concludes
that "this project is important and timely,
since the 30,764 population of Coachella
will grow to over 40,000 residents by 2008
and has an anticipated 50% five year growth
rate projection."
Filner Votes to
Give Millions Hope, Greatly Expands
Stem Cell Research
Washington,
D.C. - Today, Congressman Bob Filner voted
to give hope to 100 million Americans by
greatly expanding scientists' access to stem
cell lines - when he voted for S. 5, the
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
The House
passed this critical bill this afternoon by
a strong bipartisan vote of 247 to 176.
The House had
passed a similar bill (H.R. 3) as part of
the "100 Hours Agenda" in January. The
Senate then passed S. 5 in April. By
passing the Senate-passed S. 5 today, the
House is sending the bill directly to the
President's desk.
"Today Members
of Congress, from both sides of the aisle,
joined together to put patients first by
passing this stem cell research enhancement
bill," said Congressman Filner. "The
American people spoke clearly this past
November supporting the promise of stem cell
research and it is fitting that Congress now
send this bill to the President's desk."
This bill
would expand the federal funding of stem
cell research by lifting the restrictions on
the stem cell lines that can be used for
federally-funded research - restrictions
that were imposed by President Bush in
2001. Most of the stem cell lines
authorized for federally-funded research
under the President's policy are no longer
useful for research. However, the bill only
authorizes federal research funds for stem
cell lines generated from embryos that would
otherwise be discarded by fertility
clinics. The bill also creates an ethical
framework that must be followed in
conducting this research under the guidance
of the National Institutes of Health.
The bill is
supported by more than 500 organizations,
including the American Medical Association,
AARP, Association of American Medical
Colleges, and Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, as well as many faith-based
groups.
"More than 100
million Americans suffer from cancer,
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal
cord injuries and other debilitating
diseases and disorders for which stem cell
research holds great promise in finding new
and better treatments and cures," said
Congressman Filner.
"The American
people clearly support research funding and
the use of stem cells to address some of our
most debilitating diseases," said
Congressman Filner. "It is time this
groundbreaking research is allowed to move
forward."
This stem cell
research bill passed the Congress in the
109th Congress, but unfortunately was vetoed
by President Bush in July 2006.
"This research
has the support of more than 70 percent of
Americans and I hope that, this year, the
President will reconsider his veto threat
and listen to the voices of the American
people by signing this bill," concluded
Congressman Filner. "A bipartisan majority
in the House will continue to fight to
expand this life- saving research. This
critical legislation will become law; it's
only a matter of when."
Congressman Filner
Introduces Legislation to Ensure Safety, Efficiency
and Accountability in Transportation
Projects
On May 24,
Congressman Bob Filner introduced the Safety,
Efficiency and Accountability in Transportation
Projects through the Public Inspection Act of
2007 (H.R. 2485). If passed the bill would
ensure that public safety is protected,
transportation funds are not wasted and projects
are delivered in a timely manner. This bill
would require public employees to perform the
inspection and related essential public
functions on all state and local transportation
projects.
"I am concerned
that outsourcing of inspection work causes
conflicts of interest that have led private
inspectors to cut corners and overlook problems
that threaten public safety, increase costs and
delay projects," Filner stated.
On transportation
projects, the construction inspector is the
eyes, ears and voice of the public. Inspectors
ensure that construction and seismic standards
are met, that projects meet safety requirements
and that the materials used will stand the test
of time. In short, inspectors are there to
ensure that the motoring public gets what they
pay for and to protect public safety and public
interest.
When the
construction inspection function is outsourced
to a private company, there is no longer a
representative of the public on the job site.
In this circumstance, one private company is
charged with the task of inspecting the work of
another private company. This creates multiple
conflicts for the private inspector. First, the
private inspectors' primary obligation and
responsibility is not to the public, but to the
success and profitability of his/her company.
Because the private construction company whose
work they are inspecting on one project may be a
business partner on a future project, private
inspectors may also feel pressure from the
company to take steps that ensure larger profits
for both firms.
There are many
examples in which public safety has been
threatened by the use of private inspectors,
including Boston's "Big Dig" (where a concrete
slab from a tunnel ceiling fell and killed a
woman), the L.A. Redline subway (Hollywood Blvd.
collapsed), the 8-805 Interchange in San Diego
(10,000 defective welds on a seismic retrofit),
and the Connecticut I-84 project (hundreds of
drains that lead nowhere).
Congressman Bob
Filner is a member of the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and
Transit.
