New Congress Opens For Business Today: Suggested Budget Cuts

From The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington, D.C

Filibuster This!: More Appeals For Progressive Action On Filibuster Reform

As Don says, 'These appeals have strategic importance to all Progressives.'  If this is an issue that you feel strongly about, consider taking action.


'Democracy for America, Levana L says,

The Senate is broken. Republicans have perverted its rules so that a 60-vote super-majority is needed to pass virtually anything.

Now we have a chance to reform the Senate rules and get it working for the people again. Last month, all 53 Democratic Senators signed a letter saying they supported rules reform that returned the filibuster to its original form, forcing Senators to hold the floor and talk for hours if they want to block legislation.

Call your Democratic Senator right now and tell them to support rules reform that fixes the filibuster:

1-877-426-8013 Thank you for everything you do.

From Daily Kos:

Chris Boyers writes a piece entitled, 

Answering progressive fears about filibuster reform

which can be read by clicking here.

We need calls to Senators Reid and Schumer, urging them to 

(1) Rules that reflect a true filibuster, not behind closed door sham sessions

(2) Rules that allow for expediting nominations

CALL Majority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid, (202) 224-3542

CALL Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Rules Committee Chair, (202) 224-6352, 

OR CALL Sen. Schumer's NY office at (212) 486-4430).

Thank you!

Health Care Law Changes For 2011: Beginning To Close Medicare RX Donut Hole, Free Senior Preventative Care Services, And More

The Political Carnival has a post overview (from the Kaiser Foundation) on the Affordable Care Act (health care law that cynics, critics, Republicans, Conservatives and some mainstream media refer to as 'Obamacare'), high lighting many changes to be implemented in 2011.

The following information comes from the the government website for the Affordable Care Act, also known as HealthCare.Gov.

A picture says a thousand words for Medicare recipients.

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Prescription Drug Discounts

Effective January 1, 2011

Seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.

This is another positive change being implemented this years and further impacting Seniors, Medicare recipients.

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Free Preventive Care for Seniors

Effective January 1, 2011

The law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare. 

I am tempted to quote Joe Biden's whisper to President Obama at the press conference after health care reform was passed, but I'll restrain myself, except to say that it contained the words big and deal.

Seeing that health insurance companies spend the bulk of the premiums they collect on services is an important change to be implemented in 2011.

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Bringing Down Health Care Premiums

Effective January 1, 2011 

To ensure premium dollars are spent primarily on health care, the new law generally requires that at least 85% of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans are spent on health care services and health care quality improvement.  For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80% of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement. If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.

Learn more about getting value for your health care dollars

Changes affecting Medicare Advantage will be implemented over time, and begin in 2011.

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Addressing Overpayments to Big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage

Effective January 1, 2011

Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than is spent per person in Original Medicare. This results in increased premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries, including the 77 percent of beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating this discrepancy.  People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will still receive all guaranteed Medicare benefits, and the law provides bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide high quality care.  Learn more about improvements to Medicare.

For even more changes in health care for 2011, check the Kaiser Foundation website, or see the interactive slideshow at HealthCare.gov.

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