[StBernard] This week in Congress: Health care, jobs & disaster prep

[Westley Annis]

Dear Friend,

	I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As the Senate reconvenes,
we've got a lot on our plate. Read on below to see what I've been working on
this week.
	


Protecting women's & seniors' health care


Yesterday, Sen. Landrieu had the opportunity to vote on several important
amendments to the health care bill currently before the Senate.

Sen. Landrieu's first vote was for an amendment that would require health
plans to guarantee women's access to preventative care. The amendment also
protected a patient's right to determine with their doctor the best course
of treatment for health issues. Sen. Landrieu was encouraged by the
bi-partisan support
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4850>  that this common-sense
amendment received. To read Sen. Landrieu's full statement on the vote,
click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4851> .

Sen. Landrieu's next vote was for an amendment that also received
bi-partisan support
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4852>  and would protect and improve
Medicare benefits. Sen. Landrieu has always been a staunch protector of
Medicare, and would not support a bill that reduces benefits for senior
citizens.


Small business job creation


 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4853> Today, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics released its November report that showed unemployment declining
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4854>  for the first time in nearly
two years. While this news is encouraging, an unemployment rate of 10%
leaves little to be excited about. As Chair of the Senate Small Business
Committee, Senator Landrieu has a keen understanding of the role small
businesses play in creating jobs, and facilitating our recovery. This week,
Sen. Landrieu participated in a hearing to discuss small businesses, and
their importance in getting our economy back on its feet. To watch excerpts
from the hearing, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4853> .

As Chair of the Small Business Committee, Sen. Landrieu has also been
instrumental in shaping the current health care legislation to take into
account the needs of small business owners. To download a Fact Check for the
new TV ad distorting Sen. Landrieu's efforts, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4855> .


Improving disaster case management


 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4856> This week, Sen. Landrieu also
chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery that heard
testimony about the progress on the development of a national disaster case
management program to meet the needs of future disaster survivors. If we've
learned anything since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is that storms can
devasate every corner of Louisiana, from our wetlands in the south to our
farmers in the north. The program discussed on Wednesday seeks a
comprehensive approach to disaster recovery, and would include a partnership
between FEMA, HUD, and the Department of Health and Human Services to
facilitate inter-agency cooperation. The subcomittee heard testimony from
the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Children's Health Fund, and
the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). To watch
the hearing, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00051141.5798.808&gen=1&mailing_linkid=4856> .