Ensuring access to quality health care for all Americans is the goal that brought me to Congress, and the cause that keeps me here. Last year our nation took an important step toward that goal when President Obama signed health care reform into law. The new law is not perfect, and I will continue to work to improve it as it is phased in over the next four years. In particular, I strongly believe that allowing Americans the choice of a public option is essential. I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure we make our system fair and equitable for every American.
Wisconsinites are already benefitting from the new health care law: insurers are no longer allowed to discriminate against children and others who are sick; small businesses are receiving billions of dollars in tax credits to provide health care coverage for their employees; and seniors are saving money on prescription drugs and receiving free preventive care through Medicare.
Please visit www.healthcare.gov for more information on the health care reform law. This is the best source for news and information on the implementation of the new law and also serves as a one-stop shop for consumers to explore which health insurance options are available.
The new health care law will bring significant relief to Wisconsin’s families and small businesses. Specifically, in Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District, the new health care law will:
The new health care law is a critical step in achieving health care for all. While this is a comprehensive piece of legislation, a few key provisions stand out:
Finally, this legislation is fully paid for by revenue provisions within the health care system. In fact, the legislation reduces the deficit in the next ten years and beyond. This legislation takes a responsible step forward, both fiscally and socially.
More detailed information is available through the following links:
Improving health care for Americans requires a continued federal investment in medical research. The National Institutes of Health supports innovative and foundational research programs, including many in south central Wisconsin. The work of these researchers is critical to increasing our understanding of diseases and the development of new treatments to combat them. I will continue to be a strong advocate for adequate funding of these important medical research programs.
One specific area of medical research that holds enormous promise is stem cell research. In 1998, a group of researchers led by Dr. James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a technique to isolate and grow cells, which provided the basis for new lines of inquiry that hold the potential to yield life-saving treatments and cures for the most debilitating diseases and injuries. Stem cell research provides hope to millions of Americans and their families who are affected by diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, as well as conditions such as spinal cord injuries.
On March 9, 2009, I was honored to be with President Obama when he signed an executive order removing barriers to responsible stem cell research. The executive order eradicates the limitations that have been imposed on human stem cell research and expands the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health, to conduct responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research. I also support measures that would codify this executive order into law to ensure that this vital research is not impeded down the road.
My work to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care includes efforts to help Wisconsin health care providers secure the technology they need, particularly in our rural hospitals. My successful efforts to provide federal funding for a variety of health care access and delivery programs throughout south central Wisconsin, include:
I believe that Americans should have comprehensive coverage for mental health services. For this reason, I support mental health parity. Mental illness and substance abuse are tangible, treatable health problems like hypertension, cancer and heart disease; yet, millions of hardworking men and women still find that their health plans place strict limits on both inpatient and outpatient coverage for mental health benefits. That disparity is why I am a member of the House Working Group on Mental Illness, a group dedicated to disseminating information about the causes and treatments of mental illness, and to working together to end stigma against those who suffer from mental illness.
As a supporter of mental health parity, I was pleased to support legislation to require health plans to provide mental health benefits at the same level as medical and surgical benefits. This bill is now law. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to increase awareness about mental health, increase prevention efforts and secure access to quality treatment.
One of my highest priorities is to expand health care insurance coverage for all Americans. A critical element of this coverage, however, is a robust workforce to care for these individuals. Many health care professions are suffering shortages, but none more profoundly than nursing. It is estimated that the nation currently faces a shortage of more than 200,000 registered nurses—a number that is projected to grow to more than one million by 2020.
The nursing shortage is not for lack of people interested in entering the profession. Rather, the nation’s nursing schools cannot meet the demand. Due to a shortage of qualified faculty members, one out of every three qualified nursing school applicants is turned away. And, due to the great demand for registered nurses, qualified nurses have little incentive to become nurse educators—particularly because the average annual salary for nurse educators is at least 20 percent less than their counterparts in clinical practice.
Exacerbating the crisis is the fact that a large percentage of current nurse faculty members—as much as 70 percent in some schools—are approaching retirement age within the next few years. With some estimates placing the current faculty shortage at nearly 10 percent, this crisis will quickly escalate without prompt and determined action to address it.
For this reason, I sponsored legislation to address the nursing shortage by providing education loan repayment for nurses who commit to teaching in nursing schools. I was pleased that this bill was included in the health care reform bill and is now law. I remain committed to ensuring that our nation’s health care workforce is strong.
Another critical component of our public health workforce is public health veterinarians. Although we may not realize it, our health depends in part on a small army of veterinarians working in public health. Their role was never clearer than during the H1N1 virus outbreak—we now see that diseases can travel from animals to humans seemingly overnight. Public health veterinarians are our frontline defense against another outbreak. They inspect our slaughterhouses, prevent a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak from devastating our economy and agriculture industry, and protect our citizens against the threat of bio-terrorism.
Unfortunately, our current workforce cannot meet these public health challenges. In the next 20 years, experts predict a shortage of 15,000 veterinarians. And between 2006 and 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for veterinary services will increase by 35 percent.
For this reason, I have sponsored legislation to bolster our public health veterinary workforce, the Veterinary Public Health Workforce and Education Act. This bill would establish a new competitive grant program for schools, providing funds for recruiting faculty, expanding physical capacity, or developing new curriculum. Additionally, this legislation would provide for loan repayment for veterinarians who commit to teaching or working in public health and create a new fellowship program for public health veterinarians.
I believe that it is critical for Medicare physicians to be reimbursed appropriately for their services. Proper payment is vital to ensure that seniors continue to have access to high quality care and a wide choice of doctors. For this reason, I have been a long-time supporter of correcting the flawed payment formula currently used to calculate Medicare reimbursement for physicians.
The Medicare physician fee schedule pays physicians a fee for each service or procedure they provide for a patient on Medicare. The fee schedule also affects the reimbursement of a variety of other health care providers, including physicians treating TRICARE patients. In 2001, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made a change to the physician fee schedule to including a component called the sustainable growth rate (SGR). The goal of the SGR is to adjust physician reimbursement according to changes in inflation; the SGR is tied to growth in our country’s gross domestic product.
However, this flawed payment formula has serious consequences, including scheduled cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. The SGR formula resulted in a negative update in payments per service for 2002. Additional reductions were slated to go into effect again beginning in 2003 and have been schedule for every year since then. Congressional action has prevented these reductions for taking place.
I am concerned that payment reductions would negatively impact Medicare beneficiaries’ access to medical services. I strongly support a long-term solution for this flawed funding formula to prevent reimbursement cuts to physicians.
March 31, 2011 Baldwin Lauds Report on LGBT Health Issues
February 16, 2011 Baldwin Speaks Out Against Harmful Budget Cuts
February 15, 2011 Baldwin Measure to Protect Public Health Passes Key Committee
July 14, 2010 Statement on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy
June 11, 2010 "Donut Hole" Checks In the Mail to Many WI Seniors
April 15, 2010 Statement on Presidential Memorandum regarding Hospital Visitation Rights
March 25, 2010 Statement on House Passage of Final Health Care Reform Reconciliation Bill
March 21, 2010 Statement On House Passage of Historic Health Care Reform Legislation
March 18, 2010 Rep. Baldwin Highlights Benefits of Health Reform to Wisconsinites
March 18, 2010 Baldwin Announces Health Care Reform Cuts Deficit by $1.3 Trillion
March 3, 2010 Statement on President Obama's Remarks on Health Insurance Reform
January 1, 2010 Tammy & Tommy Team Up to Assist the Uninsured
December 1, 2009 Statement On World AIDS Day
November 7, 2009 Statement on Passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act
September 23, 2009 Baldwin Strengthens Health Care Reform Legislation
July 31, 2009 Baldwin Leads Efforts to Unify Democrats and Advance Health Care Reform
July 20, 2009 Baldwin Seeks Permanent Authorization of Women's Health Offices in Five Federal Agencies
July 17, 2009 House Committee Begins Consideration of Health Care Legislation
July 17, 2009 Baldwin Provisions in Health Reform Bill Address LGBT Health Disparities
June 29, 2009 Madison, Beloit Area Health Centers Receive Federal Funds
June 24, 2009 Baldwin Seeks Stronger Veterinarian Workforce to Address Public Health Threats
June 23, 2009 Baldwin Bill Seeks to End LGBT Health Disparities
June 16, 2009 House Recognizes 40th Anniversary of National Eye Institute
March 25, 2009 Reeve Paralysis Act Wins House Passage
March 24, 2009 Baldwin, Price Introduce Legislation to Promote State Innovation in Health Reform
March 12, 2009 Baldwin Introduces Nursing Loan Repayment Program
March 9, 2009 Statement On Executive Order Lifting Restrictions on Funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research
February 24, 2009 Baldwin Proposes Medical Home Care for Children with Most Complex Conditions
February 4, 2009 Baldwin Votes to Fund BadgerCare
February 3, 2009 Baldwin, Terry, Towns Seek to Strengthen Public Health System
January 14, 2009 Baldwin Votes to Expand Health Care for Children
January 8, 2009 Baldwin Introduces the Reeve Paralysis Act
December 18, 2008 Statement in response to the DHHS Refusal Clause
October 31, 2008 Statement on Federal Approval to Expand BadgerCare Plus
October 2, 2008 Baldwin, Clinton Propose All-Inclusive Care for Children with Special Medical Needs
September 24, 2008 Baldwin Seeks Improved Access to High Quality Child Care
September 16, 2008 Baldwin Introduces Bill to Strengthen our Public Health System
August 4, 2008 Baldwin responds to New HIV Incidence Data
July 30, 2008 Baldwin Offers Solution to Nursing Shortage
June 10, 2008 Baldwin, Ryan Lead Bipartisan Push for BadgerCare
May 1, 2008 House Passes Historic Medical Nondiscrimination Act
April 23, 2008 House Adopts Baldwin Resolution on Glaucoma; Recognizes "World Glaucoma Day"
March 6, 2008 Baldwin Backs Landmark Bill to Expand Mental Health Coverage
January 22, 2008 Federal Funds for Monroe Clinic Approved
December 27, 2007 Baldwin Bill to Aid Wounded Veterans Becomes Law
October 25, 2007 House Passes Compromise SCHIP Bill
October 18, 2007 Statement on House Vote to Override the SCHIP Veto
October 15, 2007 House Passes Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
October 2, 2007 Statement on the President's Veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
September 27, 2007 Reeve Paralysis Bill Approved in Committee
September 25, 2007 Baldwin Votes to Renew Kids' Coverage
August 1, 2007 Baldwin Votes to Strengthen BadgerCare
April 25, 2007 WI Voices Tell House of Health Care Crisis
April 20, 2007 President Signs Baldwin Bill for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
April 4, 2007 Statement On Bush Administration Killing SeniorCare Program
March 28, 2007 Baldwin Bill to Reauthorize National Breast & Cervical Cancer Program Passes
March 28, 2007 Baldwin, Bono, Langevin, Bilirakis Advance Paralysis Research
March 21, 2007 House Passes Baldwin's Veterans Aid Bill
January 17, 2007 Bingaman, Voinovich, Baldwin, Price, Tierney Unveil Bipartisan, Bicameral Plan to Cover the Uninsured
January 11, 2007 Baldwin Gains Influence on Health, Energy, Environmental Policies
October 23, 2006 Baldwin Backs Doyle Application to Preserve SeniorCare: Calls on HHS to Approve Waiver
September 20, 2006 Baldwin Calls for More NIH Funding
July 25, 2006 Baldwin Authors Bipartisan Health Care Bill
July 12, 2006 WI Congressional Delegation Fights to Preserve SeniorCare
May 8, 2006 Baldwin Reminds Seniors of Medicare Part D Enrollment Deadline
May 2, 2006 Wisconsinites Caught in Health Care Crisis
January 13, 2006 Baldwin Calls for Action to Fix Prescription Drug Program
October 11, 2005 Medicare Part D - Caution Seniors!
July 28, 2005 Baldwin Speaks Out on "Health Care Week"
June 14, 2005 Baldwin Names Area Leaders to White House Conference on Aging
May 24, 2005 Baldwin Statement on Debate on H.R. 810 (Castle-DeGette Stem Cell Bill)
May 20, 2005 Baldwin Seeks to Save SeniorCare
January 5, 2005 Baldwin Named to House Energy & Commerce Committee
December 3, 2004 Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin on the resignation of Secretary Thompson from HHS
November 20, 2004 Baldwin, Kohl Secure Federal Funds for Madison Community Health Center
November 20, 2004 Baldwin Secures Federal Funds for Beloit Hospital
November 20, 2004 Baldwin, Kohl Secure Funds for St. Clare Hospital
June 4, 2004 Tammy Talks Health Care on Madison Radio
May 10, 2004 Baldwin Announces Legislation to Cover the Uninsured
May 3, 2004 Baldwin Cautions Seniors to Carefully Weigh New Rx Drug Cards
December 8, 2003 Rep. Baldwin: Bush Signing of Medicare Bill Marks Beginning of the End of Medicare
July 25, 2003 More Listening Sessions in August
July 25, 2003 Congresswoman Baldwin to Hear Concerns about Prescription Drugs in Baraboo on Tuesday
July 21, 2003 Baldwin Hears Input On Prescription Drug Plans
July 17, 2003 Baldwin To Hear Citizen Concerns At Listening Session On Medicare/Prescription Drugs
March 28, 2003 Representative Baldwin Decries Budget Cuts to Health Care
February 27, 2003 Rep. Baldwin Calls Anti-Stem Cell Bill "Outrageous"
February 12, 2003 Rep. Baldwin Statement on Stem-Cell Research:
October 10, 2002 Baldwin Announces Mental Health Grant for Older Adults
June 20, 2002 Floor Statement: Baldwin Calls for Prescription Drug Coverage
June 20, 2002 Rep. Baldwin Hails Extension of Family Planning and Primary Care Services to as Many as 47,000 Women
December 19, 2001 Baldwin Secures $170,000 for Upland Hills Health
August 10, 2001 President's Decision Regarding Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research
August 2, 2001 Baldwin Statement on House Vote on HMO Reform
June 26, 2001 Baldwin Seeks Fairness for All Families
June 10, 2001 Baldwin Statement on Senate Passage of Patients' Bill of Rights
May 1, 2001 Baldwin, Colleagues Rally Support for Universal Health Care
April 4, 2001 Baldwin Calls for Prescription Drug Fairness
March 12, 2001 Baldwin Budget Proposals Seek Health Care for Uninsured & Assistance for Farmers
December 18, 2000 Congress Approves Funding Congress Sought for New Glarus Swiss Center and Darlington Hospital
December 18, 2000 Congress Approves $3.51 Million Baldwin Sought for Local Health Care, Education, Housing Initiatives
November 3, 2000 Congressional Negotiators Agree to $3.75 Million for Local Programs
November 3, 2000 Budget Negotiators Agree to Local Funding for New Glarus' Swiss Center and Darlington Hospital
October 30, 2000 Baldwin Calls on Congressional Leaders to Pass Medicare Funding Bill
September 21, 2000 Obey, Baldwin Announce Health Care Grants to Cover Wisconsin's Uninsured
August 2, 2000 Baldwin, Obey Bill Calls for Health Care Coverage for All
July 27, 2000 Baldwin & Colleagues Mobilize to Fix Unfair Medicare Reimbursement Rate
June 28, 2000 Issue Brief
June 5, 2000 Baldwin Study Reveals Price Discrimination Against Breast Cancer Patients in 2nd CD
May 3, 2000 Baldwin Bill Pushes Medicare Drug Cost Savings
April 17, 2000 Baldwin Brings Congressional Task Force on Rural Health Care to WI
April 4, 2000 Baldwin Urges house to Follow Wisconsin's Lead on Organ Procurement
March 17, 2000 Baldwin Study Shows Drug Prices Lower Across the Border
March 15, 2000 Baldwin Passes Budget Amendment to Improve Access to Health Insurance
February 24, 2000 Prescription Drug Study Gets Baldwin's Dander Up
January 28, 2000 3rd Annual Congressional Progressive Caucus' State of the Union Address
November 22, 1999 Obey, Baldwin, Thompson Join Forces on Health Care Initiative
October 22, 1999 Baldwin Calls for Health Care for All
October 19, 1999 House Passes Bill Protecting Health Care for People With Disabilities
October 7, 1999 Baldwin Hails Passage of Patients' Bill of Rights
September 28, 1999 Statement on the Tierney Amendment by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
July 26, 1999 Baldwin Urges Work Incentives for People With Disabilities
July 1, 1999 Baldwin Hails Badgercare Kickoff
June 23, 1999 Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin & Colleagues Storm the Capitol
April 9, 1999 Reps. Baldwin & Barrett Go Online
April 7, 1999 Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin Releases Survey Showing WI 2nd CD Seniors Are Gouged by Drug Companies
March 18, 1999 Baldwin, Bi-partisan Group Introduce Work Incentives for People With Disabilities
March 17, 1999 Baldwin Proposes Major Health Care Amendment to Budget
February 23, 1999 Baldwin's Maiden Speech Supports Patients' Bill of Rights
February 23, 1999 Patients' BIll of Rights, Statement by Rep. Tammy Baldwin on Floor of House of Representatives
February 23, 1999 Patients' Bill of Rights