Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after Rep. Tom Latham (IA-04) announced that he will be retiring from the House of Representatives at the end of 2014.  Loebsack has served with Latham since 2007.

"The people of Iowa are losing a determined, hard-working advocate in Tom Latham. I have always enjoyed working with Tom to advance our state's priorities and to ensure our residents have the best representation in Washington. I join with my colleagues both here in Iowa and Washington in wishing Tom and his family all the best."

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Pacific Justice Institute is wrapping up one of the most challenging?and rewarding?years in our history. As we look back over the following major successes and battles we have encountered this year, we are amazed by God's goodness, and your faithfulness to support our work. The following represent just a fraction of the people we have advised, represented, and defended this year. Rejoice with us as we remember victories and resolve with us to continue fighting in the following arenas:

Nativity Scene - We are continuing to defend a nativity scene that has been part of local traditions in Santa Monica for decades.

God Bless America - We are currently representing a military veteran in Stockton who was reprimanded and then placed on administrative leave by supervisors at the hospital where he works for simply including "God Bless America" in his e-mail signature block.

Veteran's Memorial - PJI staff attorneys presented a strong defense of the City of Lake Elsinore against a lawsuit by the American Humanist Association to prevent the construction of a WWII war memorial.

Mt. Rubidoux Cross - Despite atheist threats, the Mt. Rubidoux cross in Riverside still stands tall after PJI worked behind the scenes to provide strategic advice.

Christian Counselors - We have successfully delayed for almost an entire year the implementation of SB 1172, the state's attempt to ban licensed counselors from steering youth away from homosexual conduct.

Youth Organizations and Private Schools - We defeated a pernicious bill in the California Legislature, SB 323, that would have turned tax exemptions into weapons against youth organizations, and even Christian schools, that do not embrace radical sexual behaviors.

School Bathroom Bill - PJI also led the opposition to AB 1266, the infamous bill that will allow boys who "feel like a girl" to go into girls bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers.

Privacy Rights - In a related vein, PJI currently represents two families in Colorado whose teenage daughters' privacy rights are being violated by a teenage boy who now claims to identify as a girl and is coming into their restrooms and locker rooms.

Student Religious Freedom - We secured the rights of a kindergartner to sing his favorite song?about God's mercy?without censorship at a school talent show in the San Diego area.

See You At The Pole - In Bakersfield, we witnessed a hasty retreat by school officials who told teachers they can't participate in prayer before school.

Common Core - In response to widespread concerns about the new "common core" standards being implemented in K-12 schools, PJI attorneys have developed and posted on our website an opt-out form that is the most authoritative and defensible option available to parents.

Anti-religious Science Standards - PJI recently joined a federal lawsuit in Kansas challenging that state's implementation of "common core" science standards which removes the possibility of God participating in the formation of life and our planet.

Academic Freedom - PJI was able to provide a zealous defense of a teacher who was challenged for acknowledging the religious objections of homosexual conduct.

Workplace Freedom - PJI has also begun representing and sent a legal demand letter on behalf of a Santa Clara County employee who was censored for saying anything negative about Obamacare.

Sabbath Accommodation - PJI screened and ultimately referred a case to one of our valued affiliate attorneys, who successfully represented and won a settlement for a hard-working woman in Southern California who was fired after seeking time off to attend church.

Homeless Ministry - A church outreach to the homeless in Placerville was able to establish a permanent site for ministry despite initial opposition.

Feeding the Hungry - A small, weekly outreach to the homeless in Sacramento's Discovery Park was allowed to continue, after PJI attorneys thwarted efforts by parks officials to place tight restrictions, even on picnickers, who chose to share their lunch with the hungry.

Church on the Street - A church in Chico has been allowed to resume weekly feedings and ministry to the needy in the downtown area.

Evangelism - We filed suit and, a few months later, favorably settled a suit against Visalia Mall on behalf of a Christian who was threatened with arrest if he shared his faith with other customers.

We also continue to help with Church Protections, Church Property Rights, Home Bible Studies, Church Non-profit Status, Non-profit Ministries, and Prison Ministries.

On behalf of the many we have represented, thank you for being an integral part of our success and work in 2013! Please click here to learn more about our matching grant and how your year-end gift can count twice! We know many more battles are ahead of us in 2014, and we're counting on you to continue this journey with us!

Provides free legal consultations to domestic violence survivors

CARBONDALE - Dec.17, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced the expansion of her Virtual Legal Clinic to northern Illinois today. The clinic connects survivors of domestic violence in rural counties with lawyers for a free legal consultation using webcams and high-speed Internet technology.

Survivors at domestic violence shelters in Freeport, Rochelle and Rockford can now connect with attorneys across Illinois that specialize in family law for a single, free consultation. Legal topics for consultation include child custody and visitation, marriage and divorce, elder abuse, immigration and property issues.

"As survivors begin rebuilding their lives, they oftentimes need expert advice to help them navigate the complex legal system," said Simon, a former prosecutor who helped found the domestic violence clinic at the Southern Illinois University School of Law. "Through the clinic, we are connecting survivors in the state's most underserved areas with the tools they need to begin their recoveries."

The clinics will expand to HOPE located in Rochelle, Remedies Renewing Lives located in Rockford and Voices in Freeport. The expansion means that approximately 4,000 survivors across 16 counties can access free legal consultations.

"I feel this is one of the most proactive projects we have been engaged in to support domestic violence survivors. An hour with an attorney to sort out possible legal needs is invaluable for creating safety plans," said Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Vickie Smith. "Partnering with Lt. Governor Simon and her staff has really enabled us to expand our idea of helping survivors access legal assistance."

In Illinois, nearly 40 percent of women will experience domestic violence by an intimate partner. However, there are 47 counties in Illinois with no attorneys practicing family law. An additional 33 counties have five or fewer attorneys practicing family law. The clinic helps survivors consult with volunteer attorneys about issues including divorce, child custody, debt and bankruptcy.

The Virtual Legal Clinic was developed by Simon, chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, in partnership with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The first clinic was launched in 2011 at the Center for the Prevention of Abuse in Peoria, which then expanded to the center's Pekin location in 2012. The Crisis Center Foundation in Jacksonville also joined in 2012, and the Cairo Women's Shelter joined the Virtual Legal Clinic this summer.

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Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today he will look for opportunities to advance his proposal to include pharmacists in Medicare's program encouraging providers to give coordinated, high quality care to their Medicare patients.

"Pharmacists can play a critical role in coordinated health care," Grassley said.  "As Medicare moves toward payment policies that reward integrated care, we should recognize the role pharmacists play in encouraging adherence with doctors' drug prescriptions."

Grassley filed an amendment to the physician payments bill considered in the Finance Committee last week that would include pharmacists in Medicare programs encouraging Accountable Care Organizations.  These are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who come together voluntarily to give coordinated, high quality care to their Medicare patients.  The coordinated care is meant to achieve the right care, especially for chronically ill patients, while avoiding wasteful duplication and preventing medical errors.

The organizations share in the savings they achieve for the Medicare program when they succeed in delivering high-quality care while avoiding wasteful duplication and spending.  Medicare currently does not promote pharmacists' participation in Accountable Care Organizations, even though pharmacists play a significant role in overseeing patients' prescription adherence.

Grassley said he will look for legislative opportunities to advance this proposal in the coming months.  He also co-sponsored an amendment offered by Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware encouraging the development of quality metrics related to medication adherence.

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