April, 2006

  Over the past few weeks Congressman Fossella has...

• Introduced legislation to cut off aide to the terrorist organization Hamas, 

• Successfully passed legislation through the House of Representatives to help provide additional funding for colleges like Wagner to install new fire suppression equipment in dorms, and 

• Helped to stop cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and, 

• Back at home the Staten Island Traffic Task Force has identified more than 40 initiatives to improve mobility and enhance safety. 

New $$ For Fire Suppression Equipment in Dorms

Congressman Fossella successfully added an amendment to the Higher Education bill to create a matching grant program through the Department of Education to provide new funding to Colleges and Universities to upgrade or install new fire prevention technologies.  Just last year over 80 college students died due to lack of such equipment nationwide.

Cutting off Funding to Terrorist Organizations...

The United States cannot allow a terrorist organization like Hamas stand in the way of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.  Therefore, I have proposed legislation that will cut off all U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority under Hamas.  In FY 2005, the Palestinian Authority received $50 million in aid. The bill removes all aid to the Palestinian Authority until Hamas recognizes the right of Israel to exist, disarms all militias, renounces violence and acts of terrorism against Israel, and removes people with ties to terrorist organizations from its security services.  The bill also restates US policy to promote a democratic Palestinian government that recognizes the existence of Israel and its right to secure borders and is actively working to eliminate terrorist incitement in Palestinian society. 

Important Notice for Seniors:

The deadline for signing up for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for this year is May 15, 2006.  To date roughly 75% of Seniors in Brooklyn and Staten Island have signed up for the Prescription Drug Benefit!

Helping to Stop a White House plan to cut $65 Million Medicare and Medicaid Spending

Congressman Fossella once again was a leader in

the House fighting against the White House’s plan to

cut $65 million from Medicare and Medicaid. In

testimony before the House Budget Committee and

a follow-up letter to House leaders, Fossella charged

that the reductions could harm the quality of

healthcare for Staten Island and Brooklyn seniors.

In good news, the Committee agreed to remove

the cuts, which will allow hospitals and health

systems to continue providing a broad array of high quality patient care.

The Facts on the Budget Victory:

Protects Access to care by preserving payments for...

• Inpatient, rehabilitation, and outpatient hospital services

• Services at skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and hospices

• Post-acute hip and knee replacements