John's Notebook
Real People Really Helped by the Patient's Bill of Rights
September 23, 2010Gail was told by her doctor, “Either you dip into your retirement fund, or you’re going to die.” Because of health care reform, she can now choose to live and keep her retirement. Gail, previously denied coverage because she has a pre-existing condition, was able to enroll in a temporary high-risk pool to receive the cancer treatment she needs and deserves because of the Patient’s Bill of Rights. By 2014, no insurance company in the nation will be allowed to deny her care.
Join Me at My Women Veterans Fair
June 23, 2010We must always honor and help the soldiers, veterans, and their families who sacrifice so much for this country. No matter our views on specific policies or wars, I think we can all agree those who risk their lives for this country should be given access to quality veterans’ benefits, health care, and job opportunities. I have met brave men and women in uniform throughout my district, during multiple visits to Travis Air Force Base and recent Memorial Day Services. One theme that recurs with frequency is the variety of unique challenges female soldiers face in the field and upon their return home.
On Israel and the Flotilla Incident
June 15, 2010I also call on all powers in the Middle East to value human life and do everything possible to avoid bloodshed. The loss of life in the flotilla incident was tragic, and I look forward to the findings of the recently formed Independent Public Commission, which will examine such issues as the naval blockade of Gaza, actions taken by the Commandos during flotilla incident, and the identities and conduct of the organizers and participants of the flotilla. In the mean time, we must focus on avoiding escalation, preventing more violence, and continuing the peace process. The greatest tragedy would be to allow the flotilla incident to end the region’s prospects for peace.
From Public Research to Private Jobs: Rep. Garamendi, Lab Leaders, Local Officials, and Business Community Announce Tech Transfer Bill
May 10, 2010"Major scientific breakthroughs occur every year at the Livermore labs, and it’s important that we harness these advances to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and improve our way of life," said Congressman Garamendi. “My bill creates a technology transfer center at the Lawrence Livermore and Sandia labs, making it easier for private sector companies and universities to convert ideas into employment engines."
Health Care Reform: What’s in it for You?
April 21, 2010Congressman John Garamendi had the privilege to vote for a comprehensive health insurance reform bill that will expand coverage to 32 million Americans. As your former State Insurance Commissioner and a long time state legislator, Congressman Garamendi has long been an advocate for reforming our broken health care laws. Under our new health care laws, many important reforms will come into effect this year.
Tax Cuts for You: Lower Taxes, More Opportunities
April 21, 2010According to Bruce Bartlett, a conservative economist and economic advisor to President Reagan, "federal taxes are very considerably lower by every measure since Obama became president." In a little more than a year since the Recovery Act was signed into law and after other measures put into place by Democrats, Americans are seeing the real benefits of Democratic tax cuts and credits.
Northern California Residents: I'm Hosting a Job Resources Fair this Saturday
April 7, 2010At the job resources fair, participants will have access to one-on-one resume review and interview skills training. In addition, we are also hosting some helpful workshops.
In Order to Form a More Perfect Union...
March 21, 2010With the passage of time a more perfect union has emerged and a broader consensus has been reached. Yet for many Americans justice is not yet secured. When personal and national economic conditions deny individuals access to the health care necessary for survival, where is the justice? The Declaration of Independence calls for every American to have access to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Yet 45,000 Americans die each year because they do not have health insurance and millions more uninsured remain one accident away from economic devastation. For the victims and their families, lives are robbed, liberty is not pursued, happiness is not attained.
The State of a Better Union
January 28, 2010"And let me be clear, I’m not the least bit concerned about using majority rule in the Senate to pass meaningful health care reform. Congress has employed reconciliation in the past to make major policy shifts, including the passage of welfare reform and the Bush tax cuts, and the fact of the matter is this country will find itself in serious trouble if we do not act now. No one Senator should feel entitled to veto power over 17% percent of our economy."
Congressman John Garamendi’s Floor Statement as Submitted on H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
December 11, 2009Madame Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill.Listening to this debate, it amazes me how short the...
Recovery: The Proof is in the Pudding at the Worksite
December 3, 2009In my last post, I cited a New York Times story that indicated that most economists think the American Recovery...
I'm Hosting Three Town Halls on December 5th, and You're Invited!
November 24, 2009I have also hit the ground running on job creation, meeting with members, staff, business and labor leaders, and experts on strategies to help rebuild our economy and reignite our region’s innate entrepreneurial spirit. Seven days after being sworn into office, my office held its first town hall in Livermore where over 100 residents attended. The same day, I met with transportation officials to discuss ways to help improve our region’s transportation systems. The stimulus package passed by Congress helped save us from the brink of economic ruin and created and preserved thousands of jobs in our district, but more can be done.
Because Recovery Works, 3.5 Million Americans to Work Too
November 23, 2009Had I been in Congress at the time, I would have gladly voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and as a recent New York Times article by Jackie Calmes and Michael Cooper reveals, "the accumulation of hard data and real-life experience has allowed more dispassionate analysts to reach a consensus that the stimulus package, messy as it is, is working."
My First Town Hall as a Congressman
November 16, 2009I've spent eight years as your representative as Insurance Commissioner, and during that period of time, I had as my task the regulation of the insurance companies. And there are numerous problems in the private health insurance system today. Things such as what we call cherry-picking. If you have an illness or if you happen to be at the age of 55, you don't get insurance, because you have a pre-existing condition or you might become ill and expensive. There's such a thing as post-event underwriting, so if you present yourself at a doctor or hospital and the insurance company comes back later and says, "Oh my, we can't cover that because you didn't fill out the form properly and didn't tell us you had acne when you were a teenager." Now that happens to be a real story, a real fact.