On Monday, Chairman Levin wrote an opinion-editorial for The Hill on the need to create green jobs and technologies.  Chairman Levin writes:

The economic challenges facing our nation present us with great opportunity to rethink and retool how we build the economy and workforce of the 21st century.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the renewable energy and green economy.

Chairman Levin notes that events such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico should force us to reconsider our dependence on fossil fuels for our transportation needs.  Additionally, that without action, the United States may not keep up with governments in China, Korea, and other nations who are moving forward in helping their industries dominate in green technologies.

If we are not aggressive about expanding our green manufacturing capacity, these manufacturing jobs will be created overseas, and the U.S. will become more reliant on products that are produced outside of our borders.

The U.S. took a good first step supporting domestic manufacturing in the Recovery Act, and we must now seize the opportunity to build on that investment and make crystal clear that the government is a full, active and effective partner in creating green jobs and technologies.

We must keep [up the] momentum through further incentives to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicle technologies here in the U.S.

In April, the Committee held a hearing on Energy Tax Incentives Driving the Green Job Economy, examining the effectiveness of current energy tax policy and looking at additional steps the Committee could take to continue spurring job growth in the green job economy.

Click here to watch Chairman Levin’s opening statement at the hearing.

Related: Witness Testimony Confirms Energy Tax Incentives are Creating Jobs as We Reduce our Dependence on Foreign Oil

- by Cameron Brenchley

Click here for additional information. 

- by Lauren Bloomberg

- by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)

Friends;

Earlier this year, Congress passed health care reform legislation that made crucial improvements to our nation’s health care system.  Even in the face of calls for repeal, the changes that were promised to the American people are being enacted and helping people.  Here are some provisions of the health care bill that are already keeping Americans insured and healthy.

• HELP FOR THE SICK: As of last month, almost all major insurance companies have agreed to stop rescinding their customers' health care when they fall ill.  A complete ban on this egregious practice will take effect for plan years starting after September.

• HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: The IRS has started making small businesses aware that they may qualify for tax credits to provide their employees with health insurance.

• HELP FOR SENIORS: Seniors who hit the Medicare “donut hole” ARE receiving a one-time check for $250 to help offset the cost of their prescription drugs. In 2011, seniors will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole and a small discount on generic medications.  By 2020, we will have phased the “donut hole” out completely.

• HELP FOR YOUNG ADULTS:  Insurance companies have announced that they are allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ health plans until their 26th birthday. For plan years starting after September, this will be mandatory for all new health care plans.

• HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES:  Businesses have started receiving financial assistance to maintain coverage for early retirees.  This will help people who retire before they are Medicare-eligible – and who may face high costs for coverage – so that they can stay on their employer-provided plan until they can get on Medicare.

In addition, Americans will be able to experience further benefits of health reform in coming months, when more provisions of the law will become effective, including:

• HELP FOR THE UNINSURED: The law will create high-risk pools for those who have been uninsured for at least six months and have pre-existing conditions, giving at-risk Americans the opportunity to obtain affordable insurance.  

• HELP FOR CHILDREN: The law will prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions so that nothing stands in the way of providing our nation’s children the health care that they need.

• REPEAL OF LIFETIME LIMITS: The law will prevent insurance companies from setting any lifetime limits on coverage, so no American will face their insurance plan refusing to pay if medical treatments are too costly.

• RESTRICTIONS ON ANNUAL LIMITS: The law will restrict insurance companies’ annual limits on coverage, allowing Americans to receive the medical care they need without facing high out-of-pocket costs.

Reforming our health care system is a work in progress. Two weeks ago, my Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on reducing fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare.  Health reform legislation provided new tools to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, and we are looking for even better tools to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute Medicare misuse.

My colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee and I are dedicated to providing Americans with the best and most comprehensive health care system that we possibly can.  The recently passed health reform legislation is already helping us make great strides in that direction.

Be well,

Pete

You can learn more about the changes that have already taken place here and here.

Washington’s hot and humid weather didn’t slow down Members of the Committee this week.  On Tuesday, the Administration announced several new consumer protections created under the Affordable Care Act.  Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) explained that "Thanks to health care reform, the federal government and state insurance commissioners now have better tools to hold insurance companies accountable for unjustified rate hikes."

On Wednesday, Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA) responded to a new Treasury report on fraud in the first-time homebuyer program. Last year, the Subcommittee played a major role in revealing fraud in the homebuyer program, as well as introducing, and passing legislation, ensuring the IRS has the tools necessary to combat fraud.

On Thursday, the House passed legislation (H.R. 3962) that reverses a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.  The bill is an important step in ensuring seniors continue to get the care they need, but Chairman Levin blasted Senate Republicans for obstructing  H.R. 4213 the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, a bill that includes Medicare physician payment provisions, as well as a number of important provisions that would extend critical unemployment benefits, and help boost job creation.

“With this filibuster, Senate Republicans are saying to the American people that they care more about their political futures than they do the daily lives of millions of Americans,” said Chairman Levin. “Senate Republicans should side with the American people, not with their party leaders, or the tea party, and allow a straight up or down vote on the comprehensive jobs bill in the Senate.” 

Ways & Means Committee Member Shelley Berkley (D-NV) stated that she was “shocked that Republican Senators were unwilling to put aside their partisan beliefs and stand-up with the American people so that those who are unemployed can take care of their families.”

Picture of the Week

On a lighter note, Wednesday,Ways & Means Committee Member Joseph Crowley (D-NY) grabbed his guitar to jam with Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) on the drums, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) on keyboard, and Monkee band member Micky Dolenz on lead guitar. (Photo Credit: Marty Machowsky via The Hill) 

- by Cameron Brenchley

Senate inaction leaves 1.2 million unemployed workers without benefits by the end of the week

During debate on legislation to block a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors, Chairman Levin blasted Senate Republicans for obstructing H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, job-creating legislation which includes both Medicare physician payment provisions and an extension of critical unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who have lost their job through no fault of their own: 

“They [Senate Republicans] are willing to put politics before people, and they are leaving millions of unemployed workers thrown out of work by this recession through no fault of their own, without their unemployment insurance benefits,” said Levin. “Instead, they seem willing to let loopholes that permit jobs to be shipped overseas continue to remain open. Republicans, in a word are saying to the American people that they care more about their political futures than they do the daily lives of millions and millions of Americans. We will not let that stand. We will continue to stand on is the side of seniors and the physicians who treat them, on the side of unemployed workers and their families. On the side of millions who are looking for jobs. On the side of youth seeking employment. And on the side of those who would benefit from tax measures and bond measures that are supporting millions of jobs.

- by Lauren Bloomberg

While Republicans claim that Americans strongly oppose the new Affordable Care Act, a recent Gallup poll shows that the law is becoming more popular among Americans. The poll shows a 7 percent increase in the law’s approval among respondents in the 18-29 and 50-64 age groups, and even a 7 percent uptick in approval among Republicans.

This positive news comes on the heels of an AP-Gfk poll last week that also showed an increase in public approval.  “It does seem we're looking at a trend,” said Washington Post columnist Ezra Klein in his article analyzing the poll results.

It is not surprising that more and more Americans support the Affordable Care Act.  Since President Obama signed the law just over 90 days ago, small businesses have received tax credits so they can provide quality health care for their employees, seniors in the “donut hole” have begun to receive one-time checks of $250 to help pay for prescription drug costs, and many parents have been able to keep their children under 26 years of age on their health plans. 

Click here for more immediate benefits under the Affordable Care Act.  

- by Matthew Beck

President Obama and Vice-President Biden recently outlined a strategic plan to protect and enforce U.S. intellectual property rights, including protection of patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks.

The plan seeks to ensure efficiency and coordination between intellectual property enforcement coordinators at the federal, state, and local levels and enforce our intellectual property rights internationally by combating websites and other entities that violate our intellectual property rights. In addition, it attempts to prevent illegal products from entering the country by securing the supply chain by supporting law enforcement agencies and encouraging  voluntary cooperation from those in the private sector. Finally, it pledges that the government will lead by example in making sure that they do not purchase illegal products, and will be transparent with its development and implementation of policies.

 “[W]e’re going to aggressively protect our intellectual property,” President Obama said regarding the issue. “Our single greatest asset is the innovation and the ingenuity and creativity of the American people. It is essential to our prosperity and it will only become more so in this century.”

The Ways and Means Committee shares the Administration’s dedication to defending intellectual property rights, particularly with regard to U.S. – China trade.  At last week’s Full Committee hearing on China’s trade and industrial policies, the Committee heard testimony from Robert W. Holleyman II of the Business Software Alliance, who spoke about China’s frequent use of illegal software and its illegal production, and sale, of hardware.  Mr. Holleyman informed the committee that Chinese companies pay for less than 30% of used software and that the Chinese government does not sufficiently enforce existing regulations, and recommended stricter enforcement against software piracy in order to defend our essential intellectual property rights. During questioning, Holleyman discussed the importance of the Administration and Congress working together to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of intellectual property rights, rather than dealing with the issue on a case-by-case basis. The Ways and Means Committee is in the process of developing customs reauthorization legislation, which is expected to include provisions on intellectual property enforcement at our borders, and working with the Administration to make sure these provisions support our IPR needs.  

- by Matthew Beck 

Earlier today President Obama announced that several new consumer protections included in the Affordable Care Act are going into effect.  The new regulations will eliminate discriminatory practices that for too long have prevented Americans from receiving the care they deserve.  President Obama explained: 

“…today, I’m announcing that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury are issuing new regulations under the Affordable Care Act that will put an end to some of the worst practices in the insurance industry, and put in place the strongest consumer protections in our history -- finally, what amounts to a true Patient’s Bill of Rights.

“This long-overdue step has one overriding focus, and that’s looking out for the American consumer.  It’s not punitive.  As I said when I met with the insurance executives, it’s not meant to punish insurance companies.  They provide a critical service.  They employ large numbers of Americans.   And in fact, once this reform is fully implemented a few years from now, America’s private insurance companies have the opportunity to prosper from the opportunity to compete for tens of millions of new customers.  We want them to take advantage of that competition.”

Following President Obama’s remarks, Ways & Means Chairman Sander Levin stated that:

“The regulations announced today and the landmark reforms in the Affordable Care Act usher in a new era where the priority is delivering quality care to patients.  Health reform enacted long overdue consumer protections and gave Federal and State governments tools to hold insurance companies accountable, preventing them from socking patients with unjustified rate increases.”

How These New Rules Will Help You (from HealthReform.gov):

• Stop insurance companies from limiting the care you need. For most plans starting on or after September 23, these rules stop insurance companies from imposing pre-existing condition exclusions on your children; prohibit insurers from rescinding or taking away your coverage based on an unintentional mistake on an application; ban insurers from setting lifetime limits on your coverage; and restrict their use of annual limits on coverage.

• Remove insurance company barriers between you and your doctor. For plans starting on or after September 23, these rules ensure that you can choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician you want from your plan’s provider network, and that you can see an OB-GYN without needing a referral. Insurance companies will not be able to require you to get prior approval before seeking emergency care at a hospital outside your plan’s network. These protections apply to health plans that are not grandfathered.

Click here for a fact sheet from the Administration.

Click here for additional information about the Affordable Care Act.

- by Cameron Brenchley

•  30-49 year-olds: from 35 percent to 49 percent
•  Men: from 36 percent to 46 percent
• Republicans: from 8 percent to 17 percent
  

-by Lauren Bloomberg 

Yesterday, the House Ways & Means Committee held a hearing on issues related to China’s trade and industrial policies - policies which Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) described as having “The effect of tilting the playing field to favor Chinese companies and against U.S. companies, workers, and farmers.”

Tensions have been rising steadily over these controversial economic policies, especially regarding the issue of China’s currency. Now, many in Congress are calling for action, whether it comes from the Congress, the Administration, or China itself. As Chairman Levin said in his opening remarks, “If China does not act and the Administration does not respond promptly thereafter, Congress will act.”

Chairman Levin cited China’s exchange rate policies, their “indigenous innovation” initiative, discriminatory product standards, and manipulation of export flows as especially contentious and “often in clear violation of China’s WTO obligations.”

Committee Members, Republicans and Democrats alike, reviewed testimony from three panels of witnesses on China’s economic policies, working toward a shared goal of figuring out “how to put [our trade relationship] on a healthier, more sustainable, and mutually beneficial footing.”

An article in today’s The New York Times offers a review of the hearing and the importance of China’s trade policies in the global economy: http://nyti.ms/cBAQ5F

- by Matthew Beck

The Affordable Care Act ensures that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care through landmark reforms to the system and the shared responsibility of businesses, the government and individuals.  The new law will provide coverage to 32 million more Americans while reducing the deficit by $143 billion over the next ten years, with $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reduction in the following 10 years.

 -by Lauren Bloomberg

On March 19, 2009 Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA) held a hearing to review the Troubled Asset Relief Program’s (TARP) use of taxpayer money. To receive TARP money from the Department of Treasury, institutions were required to sign a contract stating that they had no material unpaid Federal taxes. However, Chairman Lewis revealed at the hearing that out of the top 23 TARP recipients, 13 of them owed more than $220 million in unpaid Federal taxes, and called for a comprehensive audit of the program.

Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA) answers some questions about unemployment insurance:

Earlier this week Tim Fernholz of The American Prospect had a great article highlighting how successful the Build America Bonds program has been since its inception under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Fernholz states:

The House recently passed H.R. 4213 The American Jobs & Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 which would extend the popular Build America Bonds program, which has not only allowed State and local governments to invest more than $97 billion in infrastructure projects nationwide but has also supported more than 1.7 million jobs nationwide.

 by Cameron Brenchley

by Sandy Levin

Welcome to the new blog of the Ways and Means Committee.  I hope you’ll find this a useful resource to track the work of the Committee and its Members.