In this week’s edition of e-news…
Seniors In The Spotlight
New Stanton Small Business Keeps Manufacturing in America
Expanded Treatment Options Can Offer Hope For Veterans Suffering From PTSD

Seniors In The Spotlight

During a visit Tuesday to the Burgettstown Senior Center, Congressman Murphy met with local seniors to listen to their concerns and update them about his legislative initiatives to strengthen Medicare.
 
One constituent told the Congressman about her difficulty trying to settle a hospital bill because of the convoluted Medicare rules for secondary payers. Her injuries were caused by a third party who should have paid the medical bill but she's been unable to resolve the claim because of problems at Medicare. Without action, she could lose her Medicare or see her social security check garnished.

To break down these barriers, Murphy authored the Strengthening Medicare And Repaying Taxpayers Act (SMART Act). A bipartisan bill with 132 co-sponsors, the SMART Act recoups billions of dollars owed by insurance companies to Medicare. Murphy’s bill requires Medicare provide the beneficiary and the defendant’s insurance agent with accurate information about the total cost of medical bills when the parties are about to reach a settlement. Under his bill, seniors would not be forced to take deductions from their social security checks to pay for medical bills that should have been taken care of by the defendant.

Congressman Murphy at the Burgettstown Senior Center.

 Congressman Murphy also discussed his other legislative efforts to strengthen retirement programs. Murphy’s Social Security and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 1630) would stop Congress and the Administration from raiding the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds to spend on earmarks and other government programs. In the past, the federal government attempted to cover overspending by “borrowing” trillions from the Social Security Trust Fund.
 
Rep. Murphy also authored a new law (H.R. 3988) to expand access to affordable generic medications. By establishing the first-ever generic drug user fee program, Murphy’s bill ensures generic drug companies, not taxpayers, bear the $300 million annual cost of application review and foreign factory inspections. The new law also puts foreign factories under the same rigorous inspection regime as domestic plants and is expected to reduce healthcare costs by hundreds of millions of dollars for senior citizens who could save $1,000 annually on less expensive but just as effective generic drugs.
 
If you know of a senior citizen who has questions or concerns about Medicare, please don’t hesitate to contact Rep. Murphy’s Mt. Lebanon 412-344-5583 or Greensburg office at 724-850-7312.
 
To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on Medicare and Social Security, please click here.
 
New Stanton Small Business Keeps Manufacturing in America

With manufacturing activity in the United States at a three-year low, lawmakers are looking for ways to support domestic manufacturers that are growing jobs in America. On Wednesday, Congressman Murphy toured the New Stanton-based Online Stores, Inc. and received a first-hand look at the company’s efforts to keep their American flag-making operation in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
 
A top 500 retailer operating twenty niche websites, Online Stores, Inc. sells flags, flagpoles, and customized safety equipment and construction clothing. Unlike many other online outlets, the company manufactures, distributes and customizes many of its products. Unfortunately compliance with a complex tax code and onerous government mandates is threatening their ability to stay competitive with foreign companies.

Rep. Murphy visits Online Stores, Inc. in New Stanton.

 In addition to a tour of the business, company officials explained ways to simplify the tax code so domestic manufacturers can keep and grow good-paying jobs domestically. To learn more about Online Stores’ proposals and concerns, read the company’s blog post about the Congressman’s visit.
 
Throughout the 112th Congress, Murphy has supported several jobs bills and initiatives to help American manufacturers. This summer, Murphy issued an open letter to U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Lawrence Probst urging him to ensure future Olympic uniforms are made in the United States. In the letter, Murphy stated that “the decision to outsource the making of uniforms to China is an affront to those hard-working Americans who would otherwise be gainfully employed.”
 
As Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, Murphy has also spearheaded several initiatives to strengthen ‘Buy American’ statutes. Although the Department of Defense is required to buy steel made in the United States for military vehicle armor, the Pentagon has sought ways to acquire foreign-made steel. Since foreign steelmakers are known to take shortcuts in process and quality, their products have flaws that weaken armor plate. This can put troops’ lives needlessly in danger. Last fall, Murphy successfully worked to change the Pentagon’s procurement rules so that the Pentagon now only buys American-melted steel.

To learn more about Rep. Murphy’s efforts to simplify the tax code and boost jobs, please click here.
 
Share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on American manufacturing, please click here.

Expanded Treatment Options Can Offer Hope For Veterans Suffering From PTSD

The stress of readjusting to civilian life is a major reason some American soldiers seek treatment for PTSD, according to a new study in the journal Psychiatric Services. PTSD is wholly treatable, but a shortage of qualified mental healthcare providers is making it difficult for veterans to receive proper care.
 
As co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Congressman Murphy has been working on expanded mental health treatment options for veterans. Murphy authored the ‘Invisible Wounds of War’ amendment in the 2012 defense bill directing DOD to conduct a comprehensive review, and report back to Congress, with recommendations for recruiting experienced behavioral and mental health professionals to fill staff vacancies.
 
A high percentage of the nation’s 250,000 homeless veterans have mental health issues, which is why Murphy has also supported efforts to establish a veteran’s bill of rights. This initiative calls for offering PTSD counseling and transitional housing for any homeless veteran. These benefits are estimated to cost two-tenths of one percent of the VA budget.
 
Murphy has also introduced the Caring for Our Homeless Vets Act (H.R. 3352) along with Democratic Rep. Steve Israel of New York. The bill allows taxpayers to easily donate their own money for a new fund to exclusively help veterans.
 
Murphy is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps where he works with wounded warriors suffering from PTSD and depression.
 
To learn more about Rep. Murphy’s legislation to prevent veterans’ homelessness and increase awareness of PTSD and depression, click here.
 
To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on Veterans’ issues, please click here.