San Juan County Democrats

From: “Brooke Davis” <brooke@ricklarsen.org>

Date: July 28, 2009 10:03:21 AM PDT

To: <brooke@ricklarsen.org>

Subject: Health Care Update

Hi All –

 

Below is another podcast from an interview Congressman Rick Larsen did this morning on health care and below that is the most recent press release out of our office on health care reform. Please take some time to listen to and read the information below.

 

Additionally, I know some of you have e-mailed me questions and I promise to get back to you as soon as I can. As you may guess the volume of e-mails and calls we are getting is extremely high and we are getting back to folks in the order in which their requests came in. Finally, some of those questions may be answered with the information that I am providing. If this is the case please let me know.

 

Thanks,

 

http://www.kgmi.com/Podcasts/2990543

 

 

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen
2^{nd District, Washington}

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2009
Contact:  Amanda Mahnke (202) 226-9716
Cell: (202) 420-8356

Larsen: We Are One Step Closer to Health Care Reform that Works for Washington State

Washington, D.C

. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today praised an agreement that brings Congress one step closer to passing health care reform that works for Washingtonstate. The deal was reached between House leadership and a health care ‘quality coalition’ of Members of Congress including Larsen, other Washington Democrats and Representatives from sixteen other states who are working to fix long-standing Medicare reimbursement problems that have hurt access to health care for Washington seniors. The agreement calls for two studies which will reform Medicare payments to reward high-quality, cost-efficient care and remedy geographic disparities to helpWashington state patients get the care they need.

“Today we are one step closer to getting health care reform that works for Washington state,”

said Larsen. “I thank my colleagues Rep. Jay Inslee and Norm Dicks for representing our state in negotiations with House leadership and for delivering a deal that helps bring fairness for Washington state and greater access to care for local seniors.”

Under the current system, Washington state is penalized for providing higher-quality, lower-cost care. The average federal Medicare payment per patient in Everett,Washington is $6,905 a patient in McAllen, Texas averages $14,946. But while the quality of care in Everett is the same if not better compared to McAllen, medical providers there get paid more than twice as much, costing taxpayers more than twice as much and punishing Washington providers. This inequity makes Washingtonphysicians less likely to accept patients on Medicare, making it more difficult for local seniors to find a doctor who will accept their insurance.

Larsen has pushed to get a fair deal for Washington state and change the way health care is delivered to reward “value not volume” – value for the patient, not volume of tests or procedures. To that end, Larsen has sent letters to House leadership and communicated his concerns to the White House.

“One hundred and four thousand of my constituents don’t have health insurance, and local families and businesses are struggling with the high cost of care,”

said Larsen. “My constituents deserve health care reform that works for our state. That is why I am working to pass health care reform that expands access to care for local seniors and other patients. Our deal is an important step toward reaching that goal.”

Below are the details of the deal.

Paying for Value, Not Volume:

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) will conduct a study and provide recommendations on changing the Medicare payment system to reward “high-value” care, which is defined as the “efficient delivery of high quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care.” The study will be completed by September 2011.

The IOM’s quality and value-based payment recommendations will automatically go into effect unless Congress objects within sixty days.

The new value-based payment system will be implemented before the public plan goes into effect in 2013.

What does this mean for Washington State?

Washington state doctors and hospitals are already providing the kind of innovative, high quality care that this new payment system would recognize and reward. Paying for value, not volume, will finally reward Washington state doctors and hospitals for their efficient, high quality care.

Addressing Geographic Disparity in Payment Rates:

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) will conduct a study to evaluate the payment rates that Medicare uses to pay medical providers for office visits and medical procedures. The study will make recommendations to improve the base payment rates and fix geographic disparity in Medicare payments.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to implement the new payment rates recommended by the IOM

Reforming Medicare payment rates is intended to reward low-cost, high-quality care and penalize high-cost, low quality care. The new payment rates will be implemented before the public plan goes into effect in 2013.

The agreement invests $8 billion over two years to compensate areas that were penalized by the old payment rates.

What does this mean for Washington State?

Medicare payment rates currently penalize Washington state for its efficient, high quality care. Fixing this long-standing inequity would finally recognize and rewardWashington state doctors and hospitals for their efficient care and could mean million of dollars in additional Medicare payments for Washington state doctors and hospitals. Higher Medicare reimbursements also mean that doctors and hospitals could be more likely to accept new Medicare patients.

###

 

 

Brooke N Davis

Political Director

Congressman Rick Larsen

PO Box 326

Everett, WA 98206

www.ricklarsen.org

brooke@ricklarsen.org

425-259-1866 office

425-259-0117 fax

425-830-2031 cell

 

Dear Central Committee Members,

At our April 25^th meeting in Tacoma, several issues were raised, but not finalized.  I would like to report on where those issues stand at this time.

Three or Four Meetings Per Year

In the Executive Board Meeting on Friday evening, and on the floor of the Central Committee Meeting, the question of how many meetings to hold each year was again debated. 

The Executive Committee decided to consider draft proposals to amend both the By-Laws and the Charter to clarify that the State Central Committee will hold three formal meeting per year, one of which can be the State Convention.  Those proposals will be drafted in the next weeks, and considered by the Executive Board at its next meeting.  It is the intention of the Executive Board to send these proposals to the floor of the September meeting for debate and possible adoption.

PCO Lists for Candidates for Party Office

We debated and rejected two proposed Resolutions (397 and 398) concerning the distribution of PCO lists to candidates for party offices at re-organization.  While there were weaknesses in both resolutions, I agree that we need some clarification of this matter.  I will be drafting a proposal for consideration by the Executive Committee in September which will lay out policies for the dissemination of this info. 

Caucuses

During the Central Committee meeting I acknowledged that I had made an inappropriate ruling on the matter of review of resolutions from Caucuses.  I had ruled a Resolution from the Agriculture Rural Caucus out of order because it had not been approved by Resolutions Committee, which held its meeting on Friday night.  Our rule on the matter, contained in the Rules for the Consideration and Adoption of Resolutions by the WSDCC, states the following:

                     IV.       Requirements for submission of resolutions by one of the standing or ad-hoc committees of the WSDCC or the WSDCC Executive Board or by the WSDCC membership.

A.   Circumstances may dictate that a resolution be drafted by one of the standing or ad-hoc committees of the WSDCC, a caucus of the WSDCC or the WSDCC Executive Board immediately prior to or during a WSDCC meeting.  A resolution may also be presented by any WSDCC member provided it is signed by fifty (50) WSDCC members.

B.    The Chair of the committee, caucus or board is responsible for making sure that resolutions of this type are submitted to a member of the State Party staff immediately following the committee, caucus or board meeting.

                                                              1.     A printed version of the resolution must be signed by the Chair or Vice Chair of the committee, caucus, board or WSDCC maker before it is distributed to the WSDCC.

C.    Resolutions submitted in this manner will be compiled for review and action by the WSDCC.

By these Rules,  a Resolution adopted by a Caucus on a Saturday morning must be considered by the Central Committee that afternoon. 

I remain concerned about this process, and have stated these concerns in the attached memo:  “The Accidental Growth of State Party Caucuses”

Sincerely,

Dwight Pelz

Chair, Washington State Democratic Central Committee

_______________________________________________
CVC mailing list
CVC@wa-democratslists.org

40th Legislative District Updated ‘09 Meeting and Event Schedule

January 10 40th LD Reorganization Meeting USW Union Hall, Anacortes

February 7 08 Primary Post-mortem: “Top-two primary” status & ramifications, past and present for local party organizations Speaker: Todd C. Nichols, Partner at the Law Offices of Cogdill Nichols Rein Wartell, Andrews, and Chair of the 2nd Congressional District Democrats. Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th Street, Bellingham (Fairhaven District) Board Mtg 11-12:30 General Mtg 1-3 PM

April 7 Distribution of proposed bylaw amendments to Board By April 25 Mailing to entire membership with proposed bylaws – can include membership card and contact information. Should also include current endorsement policy and options to be voted on at our July 11 meeting

May 9 Vote on (or tabling until July 11) of proposed Bylaws Amendments Caucus vs. Primary – A Thoughtful Discussion - Panel Discussion and Membership Preference Survey (panelists are tentative) Pro-Primary, Bob Burr, 40th LD 1st Vice-Chair and Pro- Caucus, Peggy Borgens, Treasurer, Whatcom County Democrats. PUD, 2415 Freeway Drive, Mt. Vernon Board Mtg 12 -1:30 General Mtg 2-4 PM

July 11 Candidates, and Issues Endorsement Meeting Vote on 2009 Bylaws Revisions if not voted at May 9 mtg. Discussion and vote on revised (moving forward) endorsement policy. PUD, 2415 Freeway Drive, Mt. Vernon 820 E. Washington Blvd., Burlington Board Mtg None General Mtg 10-12

July 11 2nd Congressional District meeting on Caucus Improvement moderated by 42nd LD Committeeman, Richard May PUD, 2415 Freeway Drive, Mt. Vernon 820 E. Washington Blvd., Burlington 12:30 – 2:30

August 2 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off Fundraiser with 40th LD legislators and local candidate appearances Double S Quarter Horse Ranch 15216 Colony Road, Bow 11:30 – 3:30

 August 18 Primary Election - VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE To be Announced General Election Endorsement Meeting. All members who wish to vote must be members in good standing according to the updated endorsement policy. To be announced October 10 40th LD Senator, Kevin Ranker Legislative Update Friday Harbor (Time and location to be firmed up)

 November 2 General Election - VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

November 14 or 15 Informal Year-End 40TH LD Lunch or Pot Luck Social Mt. Vernon or Burlington (Details TBD)

COOK-OFF DETAILS: Our Chili Cook-off will again be held at immediate past Chair and current Committeeman, Tom Pasma’s Double S Quarter Horse Ranch in beautiful Bow, Washington between Mt. Vernon and Bellingham in Skagit County. Adjacent LDs and County Democratic organizations, plus candidates who wish are invited to submit a chili entry for everyone’s tasting pleasure, 4-6 quarts, bring own heat source. (Canopies, tables, and electricity provided). A prize will be awarded to the top chili. Music, representative and candidate speeches, “open mic” plus barn tours and a demonstration of championship quarter horse training are all part of this distinctly American, feel-good fundraiser. Funds are used to put muscle behind our LD candidate and issue endorsements. Feel free to bring something to auction off to help keep the 40th LD remain strong and vibrant. And as always, sides, desserts, and lawn chairs are very welcome. Cost: $10 available through brownpapertickets.com after JULY 1 (**) Note: Only 100 tickets available. Call 360-756-1405 for help ordering tickets. Time: 11:30-3:30. ** Limited low income tickets available on a first-come-first-serve basis. (Call 756-1405)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 30, 2009

Ranker statement on NOAA Recovery investment projects

OLYMPIA – Statement from Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Islands, on today’s announcement of  $167 million in recovery investments for shoreline and marine habitat restoration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

“Today US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced the distribution of $167 million by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to help restore coastlines and natural areas across the country, including $16.4 million for projects in Washington – many of which are in our communities here in the 40^th district.

“I’m excited about these investments in the health of Puget Sound and the surrounding watersheds.  These efforts will restore critical habitat while creating and sustaining green-sector jobs in our jobs in our communities.

“These investments underscore the importance of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda.  Having a scientifically vetted plan for Puget Sound recovery has made us a national model.  These funds will invest in projects that will be key steps in protecting and restoring the Puget Sound eco-system for years to come.

“We owe great thanks to  Sen. Murray, Sen. Cantwell, and Rep. Larsen for their efforts to make sure these important investments were made in our area.”

Local area projects include:

·        Removing derelict fishing gear from Puget Sound

·        Restoring the tidal connection for the Nooksack River at Smuggler’s Slough

·        Help salmon and restore the floodplain for Hansen’s Creek

·        Restoring freshwater marsh at Fisher SloughFor more information on the projects, visit the NOAA’s website by clicking here.

# # #For more information:     Chase Gallagher, 360-786-7326 

For interviews:                  Sen. Kevin Ranker, 360-786-7678

 (