"This week I’ve been able to visit schools and universities, senior centers and hospitals, and have even had a few visitors myself in my district offices.  I have met with community action groups, state officials, students, veterans, and others, and have discussed a number of issues of concern such as our economy and the possibility of war with Iraq.  I will bring those concerns with me and consider them with each and every vote I cast – and I think that is what being your Representative is all about. 

"One issue that I spent quite a bit of time discussing this week is our President’s call for Medicare Reform.  He has set this as one of his priorities for the 108th Congress, and I welcome the opportunity to modernize Medicare to truly provide for our country’s healthcare needs.  One issue to be resolved is that of reimbursements to providers who care for Medicare patients.  This week, I was able to hear from medical communities in Texarkana, Hot Springs, Hope, and Pine Bluff about how Medicare reimbursement policies are affecting their practice and ability to serve some of the most vulnerable in our society.  The input I have gathered this week will be an essential resource for me as Congress begins to take on the issue of reforming our Medicare system.

"I always welcome your input, and I welcome the opportunity to help you in any way that I can.  I have met with a lot of people from our district this week, but there are many more of you out there.  I encourage you to continue contacting me so that I can better serve you as your United States Representative."

Photo:  Congressman Ross, along with members of the local community, attends the ribbon cutting for the Pine Bluff Congressional Office.  The office recently relocated to 2300 West 29th Street.

“I am pleased that Congress has finally passed this spending bill, so that agencies and organizations in our district waiting for this overdue funding can now get down to business,” Ross said.  “There have been many compromises over the past few weeks, and even into the night before this bill was finally sent to us for approval.  It has been a tough fight to ensure that our district’s funding needs were met in this government wide spending package, and I am pleased that we came out on top.”

Appropriations bills not included in the Omnibus are the Department of Defense and Military Construction Appropriations that Congress passed in 2002.  Within these bills, Ross helped to secure $973 million for the Fourth District, which brings the fiscal year 2003 total to more than $1 billion.

Funding for projects in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District in H.J.Res.2 are as follows:

Department of Agriculture - $3,872,000
· Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center - $200,000
· Delta Regional Authority - $2,000,000
· Endophyte Research, South Central Family Farm Research - $250,000
· South Central Family Farm Research Center - $50,000 increase
· Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center, Booneville - $250,000
· The Little River Conservation District, Walnut Bayou Irrigation Project - $375,000
· UA Monticello - Forest Management Strategies - $215,000
· UA Pine Bluff Aquaculture - $232,000
· Walnut Bayou - $300,000

Department of Commerce, Justice, State - $10,900,000
· AR Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Statewide At-Risk Youth Programs - $900,000
· Pine Bluff Arsenal, Sustainment Training Center - $10,000,000

Department of Energy and Water - $269,462,000
· Arkansas River Levees - $175,000
· Arkansas River Navigation Study, AR and OK - $1,100,000
· Bayou Meto Basin - $1,400,000
· Blakely Mountain, Lake Ouachita - $9,444,000
· Boeuf and Tensas Rivers - $3,400,000
· DeGray Lake - $4,620,000
· Delta Regional Authority - $8,000,000
· DeQueen Lake - $931,000
· Dierks Lake - $959,000
· Hot Springs - $100,000
· Inspection of Completed Works, Maintenance - $441,000
· Inspection of Completed Works, General - $147,000
· McClellan – Kerr Backlog - $3,360,000
· McClellan –Kerr Navigation System - $24,925,000
· Mississippi River and Tributaries (multi-state):
       o Channel Improvement, Construction - $37,790,000
       o Channel Improvement, Maintenance - $66,465,000
       o Mississippi River Levees, Construction - $47,885,000
       o Mississippi River Levees, Maintenance - $9,000,000
· Montgomery Point Lock and Dam - $23,000,000
· Narrows Dam, Lake Greeson - $7,440,000
· Ouachita and Black Rivers - $7,500,000
· Red River Below Denison Dam, AR, LA, and TX - $2,500,000
· Red River Emergency Bank Protection - $4,000,000
· Red River Navigation Study, Southwest AR - $583,000
· Southeast Arkansas - $650,000
· Southwest Arkansas Study - $100,000
· Union County - $500,000
· White River Comprehensive Study, AR and MO - $600,000
· White River Navigation to Newport, AR – $100,000
· White River - $2,200,000
· Yellow Bend Port - $147,000

Department of the Interior - $1,000,000
· Camp Ouachita - $1,000,000

Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education - $500,000
· El Dorado Boys and Girls Club - $25,000
· Cossatot Community College - $475,000

Department of Transportation - $14,325,000
· Arkansas Bus and Bus Facilities - $4,500,000
· Highway 71 (I-49), Texarkana to DeQueen - $600,000
· Highway 82, Greenville Bridge - $1,050,000
· Hot Springs Expressway Extension - $1,000,000
· I-69 Connector, I-530 from Pine Bluff to Wilmar - $700,000
· I-69, Great River Bridge - $4,000,000
· Mena International Airport, Instrument Landing System - $750,000
· Port Connector Road, Jefferson County - $600,000
· Tate’s Bluff Bridge Project, Ouachita County, Phase II - $1,125,000

Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development - $810,000
· Arkansas YMCA’s - $450,000
· Bradley City Hall - $180,000
· Dermott City Community Nursing Home - $180,000
 

“With the release of President Bush’s fiscal year 2004 budget earlier this month, Medicare reform and a prescription drug benefit were made must-do items this Congress,” Ross said.  “This once again turns the spotlight on these very important issues and allows us the opportunity to truly fix our healthcare system.”

“As Congress begins its session and attempts to tackle Medicare reform and expanding prescription drug coverage, I want to hear from you about how Medicare reimbursement policies are affecting your practice and ability to serve some of the most vulnerable in our society.  I also want to give you the opportunity to hear from a representative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about the Administration’s plans.”

During each forum, Keith Mueller, Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, and Bruce Coates, Contracting Manager of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Region IV Office, will join Ross in presenting information on Medicare reimbursement and efforts to improve existing practices. 

The forums will be held at the following times and locations this Friday, January 21:

 “I encourage you to please attend the forum nearest you and bring your questions and comments,” Ross added.  “If I am to help shape Medicare reform as your U.S. Representative, it is essential that I hear your concerns and your input on this important issue.”