Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement on the newly released rule for the implementation of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The rules require health insurance to cover both mental and physical health equally by prohibiting plans from limiting mental health benefits. Since the passage of this historic law in 2008, Loebsack has been pushing the Administration to issue a final rule so the law could be fully implemented.

"As someone whose mother struggled with mental health issues, I have experienced firsthand the necessity of timely and proper care. I am incredibly pleased that the final rule for the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act has been issued. Mental illness is just that: an illness. Those who need access to treatment should not face additional burdens because their suffering is mental rather than physical.

"As a result of this law, patients who seek mental health treatment will no longer face higher out of pocket costs or arbitrary limitations on their services. It is my hope that this will prompt those who have been reluctant to seek treatment due to the financial burden to get the help that they need.

"This is an important step towards addressing the mental health needs of all Iowans, but there is still more work to be done. We must continue to break down the stigma that surrounds asking for help as well as improve access to services in our schools for struggling students, and I will continue to fight for these goals."

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Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Renacci (OH-16) and Mike Quigley (IL-05) today issued a bipartisan call for Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-01) and Sen. Patty Murray (WA), the Co-Chairs of the Budget Conference Committee, to proactively implement comprehensive transparency measures for the committee, which is tasked with developing a bipartisan budget agreement by December 13th. According to press reports, after the Budget Conference Committee gave opening statements this morning, they plan to retreat behind closed doors to craft the blueprint. Implementing basic transparency measures will ensure the committee's process and final products are free from the question of undue influence and special interest intervention. In 2011, Loebsack, Renacci and Quigley led the fight to ensure the so-called "Super Committee" was open and transparent.

"The discussion being had in this room will affect every Iowan and every American and our constituents have a right to know what plans are on the table," said Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02). "Members of this Conference Committee will undoubtedly be under intense pressure from all sides to try and influence what is included in the final product. For the American people to have any amount of confidence in the final product, the process must be open and transparent."

"At a time when we are facing a $17 trillion national debt, it is critical that members of the Budget Conference Committee take very seriously their task at hand," said Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16). "That includes ensuring that the process is transparent so that the people of Ohio's 16th district and Americans everywhere may have confidence in their decisions as they ultimately will affect our families, small businesses, and struggling economy."

"The Budget Conference Committee must be open and transparent to have any chance of restoring the public's trust in government, which is at an all-time low. When it comes to the most important decisions impacting American families and our economy, a transparent process will empower taxpayers to be the government's best watchdog and hold it accountable to the people it serves," said Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05).

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Legislation includes Loebsack's measure to move Cedar Rapids flood protection forward

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This bipartisan legislation will authorize Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees and environmental restoration. The legislation also includes flood protection measures that Loebsack fought to expand after the Floods of 2008. Congressman Loebsack fought to secure funding that was needed to complete the study and allow the Cedar Rapids flood protection project to be included in this bill. He also pushed to move WRRDA forward in order to address critical flood protection and transportation concerns on the Mississippi River. He is a cosponsor of legislation that was incorporated into WRRDA that will explore the creation of public-private partnerships between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as financing alternatives for lock and dam capital projects.

"In what has become par for the course in Washington, an issue of high importance to many Iowans and to the nation was again delayed and put on the back burner. While I am pleased that the House Republicans have finally moved the Water Resources Reform and Development Act forward, it is far past time.

"Our crumbling infrastructure is an area I believe continued investment in is absolutely critical. These are investments that create jobs, have a direct impact on our economy, and provide safety and protection for Iowans. Iowa farmers, manufacturers, businesses and local economies rely on the Mississippi River infrastructure. It is clear that the locks and dams along the Mississippi River are deteriorating and significantly harming the economic development in the region. This bill is very important to Iowa, not just for the locks and dams, but also for much of our flood protection and Army Corps projects that are needed to keep our communities safe. The House and Senate must act without further delay to work out the differences between the two bills so a comprehensive WRRDA bill can be signed into law."

The Senate passed its version of WRRDA earlier this year and the two bills will now go to a Conference Committee to reconcile the differences.

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Veterans from WWII, Korean Wars view monuments built in their honor

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington.  Loebsack presented the members of the Honor Flight with copies of the Congressional Record statement he submitted in recognition of their service, as well as copy of the Our Flag booklet.  The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight brings both World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington to visit our nation's capital and Memorials built in their honor.

"I look forward to welcoming each Honor Flight to our nation's capital so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor.  Being able to welcome these veterans today was especially meaningful," said Loebsack.  "We cannot thank these veterans enough for their service to our nation.  I was honored to present them with a copy of the statement I made for the official Congressional Record to recognize their service."

The Honor Flights are all fully paid for, and the veterans are typically accompanied by volunteers who donate their time to ensure that the veterans have a safe trip. This group included 83 veterans. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight left from the Eastern Iowa Airport this morning and will return tonight.

Loebsack is an avid supporter of our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has worked to improve care and benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans.  He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for servicemembers wounded in combat.

PHOTOS

http://loebsack.house.gov/UploadedFiles/DSC01195.jpg

Congressman Dave Loebsack joins veterans from the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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Congressman Dave Loebsack welcomes a veteran from Eastern Iowa who flew to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial.

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Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Today Across Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined together to ensure that Medicare open enrollment is not affected by the current reckless and irresponsible government shutdown. In a joint letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, Loebsack and Bustos urged her to make sure that any shutdown related delays or problems surrounding Medicare open enrollment are swiftly addressed.


Medicare open enrollment is the period during which seniors can make changes to their Medicare plan. Starting today through December 7th, seniors can sign up for 2014 coverage or make changes to their Medicare plan.    

A copy of the Loebsack-Bustos letter is below and HERE.

 

October 15, 2013

 

Marilyn Tavenner

Administrator

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Department of Health and Human Services

Room 314G

200 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC  20201

 

Dear Administrator Tavenner:

We write today to urge you to ensure that seniors across our regions of Illinois and Iowa are able to access the resources that they need to make informed decisions during this year's Medicare open enrollment period.

The open enrollment period is an important time for seniors.  The ability to switch Medicare Advantage plans or move between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare gives seniors flexibility and confidence that Medicare is working for them.  We understand that the government shutdown has resulted in employee furloughs at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  However, the open enrollment period is without a doubt an essential duty, and we stand ready to work with you to ensure that this critical service for seniors moves forward without a hitch despite the reckless politics that we are seeing in Washington.

As seniors explore their options, it is critical that all resources and assistance provided by CMS are as readily accessible as they have been in prior years.  To protect seniors, we urge you to act swiftly if any problems stemming from the government shutdown arise during the open enrollment period.  Should the need arise, we ask you to consider ways to protect seniors such as an extension of the open enrollment period.  We stand ready to work with you to guarantee a seamless open enrollment period.

Sincerely,

 

Cheri Bustos                         Dave Loebsack

Member of Congress           Member of Congress

 

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that because the House of Representatives will not be voting again until Monday evening, he will return to Iowa to meet directly with those affected by the reckless government shutdown. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6th at 1:00pm, Loebsack will meet with the owners of Reid's Beans in West Branch to discuss the economic consequences that Washington's political games are having on small businesses. After the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch was closed due to the shutdown, the owners of Reid's Beans reported an immediate drop in their business. Media are invited to attend.

Meeting with Iowans affected by the shutdown

Reid's Beans Café and Coffee Shoppe

106 E. Main Street

West Branch

1:00pm

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Visit http://loebsack.house.gov/shutdown to receive assistance during the shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that his office is open and stands ready to serve all Iowans during the federal government shutdown. His district offices in Iowa City and Davenport, along with his Washington, D.C. office, are currently open and staffed during normal business hours. His toll-free phone number (1-866-914-IOWA) will be answered during normal business hours. Iowans can also visit http://loebsack.house.gov/shutdown to seek assistance.

"My number one priority as a Representative is making sure the needs of Iowans continue to be met even during a shutdown," said Loebsack. "Just because the government remains closed, does not mean folks don't need assistance dealing with federal agencies and working families don't need support. In order to work on everything from ensuring seniors receive their Social Security checks to fighting for legislation to support the men and women working at the Rock Island Arsenal, my offices are open in order to best represent Iowans. I will continue working to mitigate the impact dysfunction in Washington has on Iowans during this time."

Contact Information for Congressman Loebsack

Toll Free Number:

1-866-914-IOWA (4692)

Davenport District Office:

(563) 323-5988

Iowa City District Office:

(319) 351-0789

Washington, DC Office:

(202) 225-6576

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement this evening after the House of Representatives voted on a third Continuing Resolution written to include the demands of the Tea Party. For the third time, Senate leaders have declared this bill dead on arrival and the President has said he would veto the legislation, giving it no chance of passing the Senate or being signed into law. If a commonsense, bipartisan agreement is not reached by midnight tonight, when the current agreement expires, the government will shutdown.

"With only hours left until the government is needlessly shutdown, there is a simple way forward to avoid this reckless brinksmanship. Congressional Republicans must move on from these political stunts that have continually prevented any progress in finding a commonsense agreement to keep the government open. While I believe that Members of Congress should not receive any special treatment, governing by crisis is not a way to deal with it. The irresponsible and reckless actions of House leaders means some workers at Rock Island Arsenal would be furloughed, small business owners would stop receiving federal loans to hire and expand their businesses, home loans for middle class families would be delayed, veterans could see benefits delayed, and lifesaving medical research could be pushed back. I hold out hope that once again, a last minute deal is reached to avert a shutdown. I stand ready to support commonsense legislation to ensure the government remains open."

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House and Senate leaders to immediately come back into session to find a way forward to avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate are currently scheduled to come back into session only hours before the shutdown deadline.

"At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown," Loebsack wrote to Congressional leaders. "I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law. I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people."

The full text of the letter follows.

 

September 29, 2013

 

The Honorable Harry Reid                           The Honorable John Boehner

Majority Leader                         Speaker of the House

US Senate                         US House of Representatives

S-221, The Capitol                        H-232, The Capitol

Washington, DC 20510                          Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner:

With less than 48 hours until the government shuts down without bipartisan action by the House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Administration, both Chambers should be in session and working today and through the Monday night deadline.  The brinksmanship, political posturing, and partisan ideology that have gotten us to this point cannot continue.  There is no excuse for ongoing political games or inaction - Congress and the Administration must come together and take the simple steps necessary to keep the government running.  Ongoing partisan posturing by those hoping to score political points on the back of our economy is not just inexcusable, it's reckless and it must end.

As our country faces down yet another manufactured crisis, both sides of the aisle must put politics aside and come together to take action.  Our economy and Iowa families cannot afford more brinksmanship and the effects of a government shutdown would have ripple effects across the economy and the brunt of the impact would be felt by middle-class families such as those at Rock Island Arsenal who could go without pay, our troops who would report for duty to protect our country but see their pay delayed, and small businesses that would be unable to expand without the loans they need to create jobs.

At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown and federal agencies are spending taxpayer dollars preparing for a government shutdown instead of carrying out the work of the American people.  This situation is inexcusable.

I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law.  We have reached the eleventh hour and there is no time for more political posturing or for both Chambers of Congress to be waiting at home for the other side to blink.

I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people.

Sincerely,

 

Dave Loebsack

Iowa's Second District

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as the current farm bill expires at midnight. The Senate passed a bipartisan farm bill earlier this year, while at the same time the House was unable to pass its own comprehensive version.  This led to House leaders playing politics with Iowa farmers, rural communities and those who rely on food stamps by passing two separate pieces, the agriculture portion of the farm bill along with the nutrition portion. Congressman Loebsack introduced the Senate bill in the House after Republican leaders failed to pass a comprehensive farm bill. As of today, the House has not appointed people to work out the differences with the Senate. At midnight tonight when the law expires, it will revert back to the permanent law from 1938 and 1949.

"As the clock ticks down towards midnight when the current farm bill is set to expire, it is shameful that we are still nowhere near passing long-term, commonsense legislation that our farmers and rural economy need. House Leaders have refused to show any leadership on this issue and have left Iowa farmers, our rural communities, and those who rely on nutrition assistance to shoulder the burden. There is simply no excuse why we should not already have a farm bill that's been signed into law. I have been fighting to get a bipartisan farm bill signed into law and will continue to do so. We must pass a long-term, comprehensive farm bill without further delay."

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