Congressman Sandy Levin, Representing the 12th Congressional District of Michigan*The Congressional Connector **Week of June 22 - 26, 2009**House Committees Unveil 1st Draft Health Care Reform Bill*On June 19, the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees released a discussion draft of the House of Representatives' health care reform bill. The proposal builds on the current employer-based insurance system, while reducing costs overall and providing additional options to people who don't have access to or can't afford insurance today. The bill prohibits insurance companies from denying or limiting care based on pre-existing conditions, and requires companies to cover all costs above a given level to end bankruptcies due to health costs. It also creates a public health insurance option that anyone could join by paying a premium based on income.
To read a summary of the health care bill, click here http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/DraftHealthCareReform-12ReformHelpFamilies.pdf.
As a member of one of the House committees that produced the draft bill, Rep. Levin said, "If you like your current health plan, you will be able to keep it. But it is clear that our nation wants us to fix what's not working by reducing costs, increasing prevention, improving quality, and covering uninsured Americans. The discussion draft contains considerable detail in order to stimulate the fullest possible input from the public and all interested parties. We will accelerate the efforts to date to improve upon and resolve all key aspects of reform, including changes in the payment structure aimed at reducing costs while enhancing quality and coordination."*Michigan Lawmakers Urge GM to Make New Vehicles in Michigan*On June 17, the Michigan congressional delegation wrote to GM President Fritz Henderson to urge GM to locate its new small car assembly plant in Orion Township. The letter read, in part: "As you engage in the process of determining which facility will assemble these new small cars, we want to emphasize how strongly we feel that Orion Assembly represents the best business choice for GM...."
To read the letter in full, click here http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi12_levin/morenews/LT061709.shtml.
*New Report Details Threats Posed by Global Warming*A new report compiled by 13 U.S. scientific agencies provides a detailed assessment of the current and anticipated U.S. impacts of climate change. Among the report's key findings: Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. Climate changes are already underway in the U.S. and are projected to grow. Climate change will stress water resources and pose challenges for crop and livestock production.
For more information and to read the report, click here http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts.
The report also includes an assessment of the climate impacts for Midwestern states, including Michigan. The assessment reads, in part: "During the summer, public health and quality of life, especially in cities, will be negatively affected by increasing heat waves, reduced air quality, and insect and waterborne diseases.... Significant reductions in Great Lakes water levels, which are projected under higher emissions scenarios, lead to impacts on shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems."
To read the section of the report dealing with the Midwest, click here http://downloads.globalchange.gov/usimpacts/pdfs/midwest.pdf.
*Rep. Levin to Hold Community Resource Fair*On June 30, between 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., Rep. Levin will hold the first in a series of Community Resource Fairs in the 12th District. The first fair will be held for residents of Hazel Park at the Hazel Park Junior High School. Experts will be on hand to provide mortgage assistance, career counseling, local job training resources, and home weatherization opportunities. If you know someone who might be interested in attending, please have them call 248-968-2025 for more information.
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