Includes Critical Medicare Reimbursement Language Secured by Braley

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement today after voting to pass a package of fixes to the Senate Health Care Bill.  Saturday morning, Braley and a core group of other Representatives were able to achieve a major breakthrough in Medicare reimbursement policy that secured his vote for the bills.

"One of my biggest priorities has been fighting to fix unfair and inefficient geographic differences, and reform the Medicare system to one that pays Iowa's medical professionals for the high-quality, low-cost health care they currently provide. Early Saturday morning, we achieved a major breakthrough in reforming our Medicare reimbursement system.

"I'm proud to say that the House reconciliation package will finally fix these inequities, move us to a better reimbursement model that emphasizes quality over quantity, and help recruit well-qualified health-care providers to Iowa. These important changes will go above and beyond the Senate bill we passed Sunday, providing an immediate $800 million to address geographic disparities for both doctors and hospitals, as well as written guarantees from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for further action to reform Medicare reimbursement rates.

"This bill, paired with the Senate bill we passed on Sunday, will decrease health insurance costs, expand access to quality, affordable health care, improve reimbursements for Iowa medical providers and allow Americans to maintain their choice of health insurance. This legislation will provide much-needed relief for thousands of businesses in Iowa's First District and will reduce our deficit by more than $143 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the 10 years after that. After reading the bill, listening to my constituents and debating the bill's provisions in Congress, I'm convinced this legislation is good for Iowa."

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Includes Critical Medicare Reimbursement Language Secured by Braley

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement today after voting to pass the Senate Health Care bill and House reconciliation package.  Yesterday, Braley and a core group of other Representatives were able to achieve a major breakthrough in Medicare reimbursement policy that secured his vote for the bills.

"One of my biggest priorities has been fighting to fix unfair and inefficient geographic differences, and reform the Medicare system to one that pays Iowa's medical professionals for the high-quality, low-cost health care they currently provide. Just yesterday, we achieved a major breakthrough in reforming our Medicare reimbursement system. I'm proud to say that the House bill will finally fix these inequities, move us to a better reimbursement model that emphasizes quality over quantity, and help recruit well-qualified health-care providers to Iowa.

"This bill will decrease health insurance costs, expand access to quality, affordable health care, improve reimbursements for Iowa medical providers and allow Americans to maintain their choice of health insurance. This legislation will provide much-needed relief for thousands of businesses in Iowa's First District and will reduce our deficit by more than $143 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the 10 years after that. After reading the bill, listening to my constituents and debating the bill's provisions in Congress, I'm convinced this legislation is good for Iowa."

In Iowa's First District, the health care reform package voted upon tonight will:

· Improve coverage for 394,000 residents with health insurance.

· Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 156,000 families and 14,000 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

· Improve Medicare for 102,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.

· Extend coverage to 16,000 uninsured residents.

· Guarantee that 6,500 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

· Protect 700 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

· Allow 50,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents' insurance plans.

· Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 11 community health centers.

· Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $54 million annually.

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Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) announced today the Department of Education has made $127,503,336 in Recovery Act funds available for the state of Iowa.

"Access to a good education is one of the most important factors in determining whether Iowa's children will have a chance to get ahead," Braley said. "These Recovery Act funds will aid schools across Iowa that are experiencing unprecedented strains on their budgets. As we continue to work our way out of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, it's critical that we continue to give our students and teachers the tools they need to strengthen Iowa's families and communities."

Iowa has already received $864,657,970 in Recovery Act funds. For more information about Recovery Act funds in Iowa's First District, visit http://Braley.house.gov.

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Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo) announced his office's participation in the 2010 Congressional art competition: "An Artistic Discovery." Last year, Mitch Doll from Davenport won the First District contest.

"An Artistic Discovery" is the annual art contest conducted by Members of Congress for high school students across the country.  Students submit original works of art to their Representative's office, and the winning piece from each Congressional district goes on display as part of a year-long national exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel, an underground walkway to the United States Capitol from the House office buildings in Washington.

Additionally, this year's first place winner will be invited to attend an unveiling ceremony in June and will receive two round-trip tickets to Washington D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

"I encourage Iowa students to participate in this year's Congressional art competition," Braley said.  "I know there are many gifted young artists in eastern Iowa, and this is a great opportunity for their work to be displayed for thousands of Americans to see.  It will be a great honor to feature the work of an outstanding young artist in the Capitol building."

Artwork must be mailed to Rep. Braley's Waterloo office by Friday, April 30, 2010.  Students can also drop off their entries by April 30th at any of Rep. Braley's district offices, listed below:

Waterloo

501 Sycamore St, Suite 610

Waterloo, IA  50703

(319) 287-3233

Davenport

209 W. 4th St., Suite 104

Davenport, IA  52801

(563) 323-5988

Dubuque

350 W. 6th St., Suite 222

Dubuque, IA  52001

(563) 557-7789

Entry forms and contest information are attached and available here on Rep. Braley's website. Students with questions about the art competition should contact Tavis Hall in Braley's Waterloo Office at (319) 287-3233.

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