Building on Our Progress

By Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

 

As a new year commences, it is important to reflect on the progress of the 111th Democratic-led Congress in 2009 as well as look forward to what’s ahead in 2010.  Over the last year the House of Representatives passed many key measures to help America emerge as a stronger and more prosperous nation.

In 2009 we worked hard to pass a health care bill that provides affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for all Americans.  I voted for The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) because it will lower your health insurance costs, let you choose the doctor you want to see, and most importantly, you won’t be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

This bill is an asset to the many senior citizens living in my district and across South Florida.

• It reduces the Medicare Part D “Donut Hole” by $500, bringing 1.1 million seniors completely out of this gap in coverage immediately, and everyone within a few years.
• It also provides 50% discounts on brand-name drugs in the “Donut Hole”, saving affected seniors almost $2,000 a year.
• It eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for preventative services in Medicare.
• It improves the low-income subsidy programs in Medicare.
• It extends Medicare’s solvency by five years.

As Congress moves forward through the legislative process, we will produce a final bill that is founded on the core principles of health insurance reform: affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors, responsibility to our children, and accountability for the insurance industry.  As a member of the House leadership, I am committed to working with my fellow Members of the House, Senate, and the Obama Administration to reconcile the House and Senate bills and send final legislation to the President’s desk as soon as possible.

When President Obama took office one year ago we were facing the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression.  Jumpstarting job creation while making long-term investments in health care, education, energy, and infrastructure was a key goal.  I worked with Democrats in Congress and the Obama Administration to enact The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) to do just that.

During the next three budget years upwards of $15.7 billion will be invested into Florida’s economy and infrastructure.  As of October 2009, $4.13 billion was spent to strengthen Florida’s education system by providing necessary funds for early learning programs, child care, and programs for children with special needs, as well as preserving and protecting programs for seniors, the needy and the homeless.  In my district alone, more than $274 million dollars has been awarded to local governments to increase production of alternative energy, modernize and weatherize buildings and homes, expand broadband technology across the country, computerize our health care system, and create and save jobs while while investing in priorities that create sustainable economic growth for the future.

As this decade drew to an end, women in this country gained a deserved victory when they were guaranteed equal pay for equal work.  I was an original co-sponsor of the first bill President Obama signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 11).  The Ledbetter Act restores the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay and to help close the wage gap where women earn 78 cents for every $1 a man earns in America.  I am proud to say this new law gives our daughters the same opportunities as our sons.

In 2009, I introduced legislation, The Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY Act – H.R. 1740).  My legislation directs the Centers for Disease Control to develop and implement a national education campaign about the threat breast cancer poses to young women. It also includes an education campaign that will help educate young women and better enable health care professionals to identify the specific threats and warning signs of breast cancer, which will lead to early diagnoses and saved lives.  As 2009 drew to a close, The EARLY Act was amended to the Senate’s version of health reform legislation, which means that when the President signs the pending health reform legislation into law the EARLY Act will become law along with it.

It is my pleasure to serve as your voice in the United States House of Representatives.  More must and will be done to put Americans back to work, grow our economy, and set our nation on the path to prosperity.  I am looking forward to furthering these initiatives and working with my colleagues in Congress and President Obama to continue our work to restore the American dream.