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Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
November 02, 2009
 MLive: Michigan's share of the Recovery Act so far: $5.2 billion, 22,000 jobsMichigan's job-creation figure from federal Recovery Act spending rose above 22,000 in new data released by the Obama administration Friday. The state has received roughly $5.2 billion in stimulus funds and catapulted to No. 9 among states for jobs created or saved with 22,513, according to data posted on the Recovery.gov stimulus data-tracking Web site. A preliminary estimate released two weeks ago put Michigan about midway among states with just 397 jobs created or saved. You can track Recovery Act funding for the 7th district by visiting Rep. Schauer's Recovery webpage. AP: Credit-card rates rise before law changes Have you checked the interest rates on your credit cards lately? Odds are they're going way up. That's because credit-card companies are rushing to raise rates and tack on extra fees ahead of a law slated to take effect Feb. 22 that is supposed to limit such moves in the future. In some cases, rates are doubling to as high as 30 percent or more, even for people who pay their bills on time. The current maneuvering by the card companies is serving up another blow to American consumers who are already struggling with their finances. U.S. lawmakers let that happen by giving the card companies nine months to prepare for the rules. On Friday, Mark co-sponsored a bill to freeze unfair credit card interest rate hikes and protect consumers. You can read more about this bill by clicking here.
Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
November 02, 2009
The information provided below comes from www.flu.gov. For Michigan-specific information, click here.
Q. When will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be widely available in my community? All states and the District of Columbia have placed orders for vaccine, and more orders are expected daily. Orders are coming in throughout the day; they’re being processed and shipped, and vaccine is arriving in thousands of places across the country. The vaccine situation changes rapidly and we are slowly seeing the gap between supply and demand begin to close. Because the vaccine distribution system varies by state, the vaccine situation on the ground may differ from community to community. As of Friday, October 30, 2009, 26.6 million doses have been allocated. Each week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports how much vaccine has been shipped to each state. You can find out how much H1N1 vaccine has shipped to your state at www.flu.gov. Like the flu itself, flu vaccine production is notoriously unpredictable, and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is taking longer to produce than manufacturers initially expected. We are all deeply saddened by the illness and death caused by the H1N1 flu, and we are frustrated by the long lines and production delays, but scientists, doctors, and manufacturers are working around the clock to produce this vaccine safely, effectively, and as quickly as the science allows. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine was developed and began to be distributed across the country less than six months after H1N1 was first identified last April, which is significant since it often takes between six and nine months to make a vaccine. Q: Is the H1N1 vaccine safe? Clinical trials conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective. The FDA has licensed it. There have been no safety shortcuts. H1N1 vaccine is produced exactly the same way the seasonal flu vaccine is produced every year, using the only technique available to get the vaccine safely and quickly to the American people. The 2009 H1N1 flu is simply a new virus strain. In fact, had H1N1 struck this country earlier than this spring, the H1N1 strain probably would have been included as part of this year’s seasonal flu shot. Millions of Americans have been vaccinated against seasonal flu vaccine for years without any problems. Still, because some Americans have concerns about “new” vaccines, the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers conducted more rigorous tests on the H1N1 vaccine than on other flu vaccines, and there were no red flags from these clinical trials. Also, CDC has stepped up surveillance efforts to track the H1N1 vaccine and any possible adverse events. Since it is so closely related to the seasonal flu vaccine, we do not expect to see serious side effects. But we are taking all the necessary steps to promote and monitor safety. Q. If the number of flu cases are decreasing in my community, should I still get vaccinated? It is important that you get the vaccine as soon as it is available in your community. Flu pandemics are unpredictable, and often come in waves. There can be an increase in illness, then a decrease, then another increase and so forth. During the1957 flu pandemic there was early rise in disease around September and October, and then there was another big wave of influenza illness after the first of the year. Getting vaccinated will help protect you against the H1N1 flu as it continues to spread throughout the country. Q: Should I get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 if I have already had flu-like illness since the Spring of 2009? The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when flu viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. If you were ill but do not know for sure that you had the 2009 H1N1 flu, you should get vaccinated when it is your turn., if your doctor recommends it. In addition, unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 has not been widespread in seniors so far. However, doctors at the CDC are recommending that older people get both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines when it’s their turn, just like everyone else. Q: Who should get the H1N1 vaccine? The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—an independent committee which advises CDC—recommended that novel H1N1 flu vaccine be made available first to the following five groups:
Q: How serious is the H1N1 flu? The flu is widespread in 48 states right now and continues to rise. Many people will get a mild case of H1N1, but there are groups who are at high risk for serious complications. Some of them, such as teenagers and young adults, are not typically at risk from the flu, but are especially vulnerable to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. It is important that people with high risk for serious complications such as pregnant women, people under age 25, and those with asthma, diabetes or another underlying condition seek medical attention if they are sick and ask their doctor if a prescription for an anti-viral medicine is appropriate. Q: In addition to vaccination, are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness? Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Q: Will there be enough pediatric Tamiflu to treat children who are ill? As the H1N1 flu virus continues to spread, CDC is working with physicians and other health care providers to make sure children and adults who get sick can get the medicine they need, when they need it. In the spring when the H1N1 flu virus first hit this country, the federal government released approximately 11 million doses of antiviral medication to the states. This consisted mostly of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and represented approximately 25 percent in the Strategic National Stockpile. Since then, we have replenished the stockpile. In October, Secretary Sebelius released an additional 300,000 doses of liquid pediatric Tamiflu from the stockpile to send to the states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the maker of Tamiflu® have said that available supplies of liquid Tamiflu® for children are limited. If you cannot get liquid Tamiflu® for your child, a pharmacist can make a Tamiflu® suspension (liquid) using available Tamiflu® adult capsules. CDC is alerting pharmacists about this option and providing instructions on how to prepare a suspension using adult capsules. Children’s doses of Tamiflu® are also available in capsules. Q: What has the government done to prepare for and respond to the H1N1 pandemic? After this spring’s H1N1 outbreak, the U.S. government took aggressive steps to protect public health including:
Q: Where can I get more information? Visit Flu.gov. It’s the government-wide, one-stop website for information about the flu. Flu.gov includes:
Posted by
Admin
on
October 29, 2009
 UPDATED: 11/6/09Read the bill: You can read a copy of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, by clicking here (PDF). You can also read a copy of the Manager's Amendment to the bill here (PDF). Section-by-section analysis: The House Energy and Commerce Committee has produced a section-by-section analysis of the bill, which you can read here (PDF). Share your thoughts: Please share your thoughts about this effort to offer every American access to quality, affordable health insurance by submitting a comment below. You can also submit feedback by filling our Congressman Schauer's constituent survey on health insurance reform. Schauer statement on the bill (10/29/09): “This is the plan we need to fix our broken health care system and get our economy back on track by reducing the federal deficit by $30 billion over the next decade. “After talking to small business owners, workers, doctors and seniors, it’s clear to me that our current health care system is broken. Health costs for small businesses have skyrocketed 129% since 2000, and if we don’t act now, health care costs for average Michigan families will continue to increase by $1,800 each year for the next ten years. “For consumers, this bill guarantees everyone access to quality, affordable insurance coverage that you can never lose, even if you get sick or lose a job. It also prevents the use of pre-existing conditions to deny coverage and will help lower medical costs for middle-class families. For seniors, it will preserve and strengthen Medicare by closing the prescription drug donut hole and eliminating co-payments for preventive services. And for small businesses – like the one my wife and I own – it offers access to affordable group rates through a health insurance exchange, which will lower costs and allow entrepreneurs to re-invest in their business. “Michigan can’t afford to wait for health insurance reform. The time to act is now.” ADDITIONAL RESOURCES What's in it for Michigan: You can learn more about what's in the new health insurance reform bill for Michigan families, seniors and small businesses by reading this fact sheet (PDF), prepared by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Guide for seniors: You can learn more about what's in the bill for senior citizens and people with disabilities by clicking here (PDF). Guide for small businesses: To learn more about how health insurance reform will help lower health care costs for small businesses, click here (PDF). What's in the bill for rural America: Learn more about how the bill will benefit rural Michigan families and small businesses by clicking here (PDF). Who's supporting health insurance reform: Nonpartisan groups representing Americans from all walks of life have lent their support to this critical legislation, such as AARP, the National Security to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Consumers Union, the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, and the National Farmers’ Union. HOW WILL HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM AFFECT YOU? TOP 14 PROVISIONS THAT WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY 1. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE — Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs, effective January 1, 2010. 2. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL) — Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions. 3. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage. 4. ENDS RESCISSIONS—Prohibits insurers from nullifying or rescinding a patient’s policy when they file a claim for benefits, except in the case of fraud. 5. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS’ INSURANCE— Requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 to remain on their parents’ insurance policy, at the parents’ choice. 6. ELIMINATES COST-SHARING FOR PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN MEDICARE—Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. 7. IMPROVES HELP FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES—Improves the low-income protection programs in Medicare to assure more individuals are able to access this vital help. 8. PROVIDES NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE— Prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from charging enrollees higher cost-sharing for services in their private plan than what is charged in traditional Medicare. 9. IMMEDIATE SUNSHINE ON PRICE GOUGING—Discourages excessive price increases by insurance companies through review and disclosure of insurance rate increases. 10. CONTINUITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS—Allows Americans to keep their COBRA coverage until the Exchange is in place and they can access affordable coverage. 11. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM—Creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. 12. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Creates a $10 billon fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64. 13. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS—Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years. 14. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS — Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. TOP 10 CHANGES IN H.R. 3962 FROM H.R. 3200 (the previous House bill) 1. REDUCES THE DEFICIT MORE—According to the CBO, the revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years. (The original bill reduced the deficit by $6 billion over the first 10 years). The revised bill also continues to reduce the deficit over the second 10 years. 2. ENDS HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES’ BLANKET EXEMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS—In order to open up health insurance markets to real competition, the revised bill ends insurers’ blanket exemption from anti-trust laws, bringing antitrust enforcement to the two most abusive practices of health insurers – price fixing and market allocation. 3. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS’ INSURANCE—The revised bill requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 to remain on their parents’ policy, at their parents’ choice. 4. CREATES A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM—The revised bill creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. The measure provides a cash benefit to help individuals with community-based services. 5. EXEMPTS SMALL BUSINESSES WITH PAYROLLS BELOW $500,000 FROM EMPLOYER MANDATE—The revised bill exempts a greater number of small businesses from the employer mandate – exempting 86% of all America’s businesses. Specifically, the bill exempts firms with payrolls up to $500,000 (instead of $250,000) from the mandate and provides only a graduated penalty for not offering coverage for firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 (instead of firms with payrolls between $250,000 and $400,000.) 6. LIMITS THE “HEALTH CARE SURCHARGE” TO MILLIONAIRES—Under the revised bill, only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge on the portion of their income above $500,000 (instead of $280,000) for individuals and $1 million (instead of $350,000) for couples, in order to help make health insurance affordable for middle class families. 7. ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS/MOVING TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS REWARDING QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS—The revised bill provides that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), through two studies, will make recommendations on how to fix the current Medicare reimbursement system, including addressing current geographic variations. Under the bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement the IOM recommendations on changes to Medicare payment systems unless disapproved by Congress. 8. BEGINS CLOSING THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE IMMEDIATELY—The revised bill moves forward the effective date of reducing the donut hole by $500 and instituting a 50% discount for brand-name drugs in the donut hole, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2010. It also completes elimination of the donut hole by 2019 (instead of 2024). 9. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)—To fill the gap before the Exchange is available, the revised bill immediately creates an insurance program with financial assistance for those who have been uninsured for several months or denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions. 10. HHS NEGOTIATION OF DRUG PRICES—Under the revised bill, the Secretary of HHS is required to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
October 28, 2009
CIT PAT: Tenneco Inc. secures $24 million loan commitment from Department of Energy
Tenneco Inc. has secured a $24 million loan commitment from the Department of Energy to assist in the engineering and manufacturing of exhaust components of nine new models of advanced technology vehicles. Through a condition of the loan, engineering work will be done at the company's Grass Lake facility, while manufacturing will take place at its sites in Marshall and Litchfield... According to a statement from the company, Tenneco is the first auto parts supplier to receive federal funds through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing incentive program. "We have the tools, talented workforce and resources to develop the high-tech, energy efficient vehicles of tomorrow right here in Michigan," U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, D- Battle Creek, said in a statement. "At a time when businesses are struggling to obtain credit to expand their operations and create jobs, this public-private partnership is welcome news for Tenneco, its workers, and the entire Grass Lake community." WWMT: Company gets government loan for new car technology A West Michigan company has received a big government loan to develop new car technology. The Department of Energy announced a $24 million boost for Tenneco Incorporated. The company will use the money to develop components to control fuel emissions to help car-makers meet the Obama administration's new fuel economy standards. Tenneco will design the new technology at its facility in Grass Lake and make the parts in Litchfield and Marshall. Congressman Mark Schauer says the investment will help keep Michigan a global leader in the automotive industry. A new study shows clean energy investments like this one could create up to 42,000 jobs in Michigan. The lead author says the green transition will also translate into better paying jobs and help the state bring in money.
Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
October 27, 2009
WLNS: New Jobs May be Headed to Area A local manufacturer hit hard by layoffs and job losses makes a very different kind of announcement- a plan to retool, and most importantly, re-hire. RTD Manufacturing was so dependent on auto business, they were forced to make some tough decisions and lay off more than half of their workforce. Now they're looking to diversify by doing work for the feds. RTD Manufacturing would rather cut steel than jobs. Bryant Ramsey, RTD Manufacturing President: "With the economy taking a downturn, people quit buying cars and we quit getting orders." At one point the company had 56 employees, now it's down to 12... RTD teamed up with an engineering firm, one that just won a contract with the US Army. It's worth up to 430-million dollars. The engineering firm will design the parts and they'll be built at RTD. Rep. Mark Schauer, (D) district 7: "I think this is going to signal a lot of good high-tech, high-paying manufacturing jobs here in mid-Michigan." Machines at RTD manufacturing could be making parts for the US Military within the next few weeks. What they're going to make is classified... Bryant Ramsey: "We have as good of a chance of anybody, if not an advantage over other companies to bring as much work to our team as possible which in turn would come here to Jackson and create jobs." Getting back to cutting steel, putting people back to work. In addition to the tough economic times, the company's founder, Bryant Ramsey's dad, died unexpectedly leaving him in charge of the company. Ramsey says this announcement would have made his dad very proud. CIT PAT: RTD Manufacturing gets contract to assemble materials for U.S. Army Standing in front of the dozen or so employees left at RTD Manufacturing, a host of politicians and business leaders announced a major military contract that could keep those workers busy and add to their ranks. Warren-based Waltonen Engineering Inc. won a five year contract earlier this month with the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center with a ceiling of $430 million. RTD will be the primary manufacturer on the team Waltonen assembled to produce the materials the Army requests. It does not guarantee work, but it does give them the opportunity, RTD President Bryant Ramsey said. "The opportunity is very exciting," Ramsey said... U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, said this will help to aid the war effort. "We will protect and provide the tools for the warfighters... here together, as a team," Schauer said. State Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson helped the company search for locations when it moved to Jackson several years ago while he was the city's mayor. He said he is happy to see it have the potential to grow. "These people are in a position to do pretty much anything," Griffin said. "In this economy, it's either adapt, or go out of business and they're looking everywhere... to change their business and stay afloat, and they're doing a really good job." LSJ: Eaton County appeals for broadband stimulus Rural Eaton County residents may be cruising the Internet at high speeds by 2011 if a project to bring broadband to the entire county gets federal stimulus package support. The broadband project is seeking funds from the federal stimulus package to offset its expected $3 million to $5 million price tag. A funding decision is expected by the end of next month... Joe Brehler, chairman of the Eaton County Board of Commissioners, said the countywide consortium approached private companies and talked to them about wiring the county for broadband. The companies said the project would cost too much and they didn't think the cost could be easily recouped by selling broadband access in rural areas. With that in mind, the consortium turned to the federal government for help. Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, back the consortium's request for funds from the federal stimulus package. "Connecting the entire county, including some rural communities is of urgent importance," Schauer said.
Posted by
Mark Schauer
on
October 23, 2009
In case you missed it, there was a great story in today's Lansing State Journal about how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is helping create jobs in Eaton County: The federally backed loan was seemingly small - a meager $12,500 compared with the multimillion dollar grants D.C. lawmakers handed out this year elsewhere in mid-Michigan.This is why I supported the Recovery Act - to help small businesses owners like Diane Brabon save and create jobs in communities like Delta Twp. To learn more about how the Recovery Act is helping your county, click here.
Posted by
Mark Schauer
on
October 22, 2009
The Citizen Patriot ran an article today about local efforts to weatherize homes in the Jackson area with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Here's an excerpt from the story, in case you missed it:
Rose Kemmer is looking forward to a warmer winter.I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create Michigan jobs and get our economy back on track. Investing more than $243 million in Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program will create good-paying jobs in our communities, help families lower their energy bills, and move America towards energy independence. Turning our economy around won’t happen overnight, but this is an important step in the right direction. Below you can watch a video clip of me discussing how weatherization programs will help create local jobs:
Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
October 20, 2009
Last week, Congressman Schauer made the following statement during a meeting of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials about the potential for high speed rail to create jobs in Michigan.
You can read more about the hearing and watch video from the entire meeting on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's website.
Posted by
Mark Schauer
on
October 19, 2009
 In case you haven't signed up to receive email updates from my office yet, you can read a copy of our latest email newsletter by clicking here. This week's topics included: a measure to help dislocated workers complete their degrees, a bill I co-sponsored to make a $150 payment to seniors in lieu of a 2010 Social Security COLA, and other interesting tidbits. To have the latest news from Congress sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up for email updates by clicking here.
Posted by
Zack Pohl
on
October 15, 2009
In case you missed the latest news about Congressman Schauer's recent announcement of $1 million in funding for the International Food Protection Training Institute, here is a video clip from Monday's press conference in Battle Creek:
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