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    IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 CONTACT: MAX GOODMAN
    December 5, 2014                                                                               202.225.5015
     
    Buchanan Named to Social Security Subcommittee on Ways & Means
     
    Protecting Seniors’ Retirement Security Top Priority
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, has been named to the Social Security Subcommittee of Ways & Means, giving him a key role in preserving the vital retirement program for today’s seniors and future generations.  Buchanan, a senior member of the committee, also serves on the Trade and Health subcommittees.
     
    “I am honored to be named to such an important subcommittee,” Buchanan said after incoming Chairman Paul Ryan, R-WI, announced his selection.  “Protecting Social Security has always been one of my highest priorities.  Seniors have worked their entire lives with the promise of a safe retirement.  That’s a promise we must always keep.”
     
    The Subcommittee on Social Security has jurisdiction over Social Security retirement, survivors and disability programs and oversees the operations of the Social Security Administration. 
     
    The U.S. House passed legislation this week (H.R. 5739), co-sponsored by Buchanan, denying Social Security benefits to Nazi war criminals.  The bill was originally introduced by Congressman Sam Johnson, a former POW in Vietnam and chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee.
     
    The Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing body in the House of Representatives.  The U.S. Constitution give it sole power in Congress to initiate tax bills, making it even more powerful than its counterpart in the Senate, the Finance Committee.
     
    Buchanan is the only member from Florida to serve on the Committee.
     
    ###
     
     
     
    Millions of Americans with serious mental illnesses -- and their families -- suffer in silence, often unable to obtain or afford treatment. Legions of others display signs of mental illness in public -- on streets, in alleys and other places that they and other homeless people frequent.
     
    Whatever the circumstances, mental illness and a widespread lack of accessible, affordable treatment are symptoms of a national crisis -- one that creates hardships in communities and families.
     
    The shortcomings in the nation's approach to mental health have long been apparent to those with illnesses, their families and friends -- as well as care providers, social-service organizations and law-enforcement agencies.
     
    The challenges that surface in cities, communities and families have become even more apparent in Sarasota and other places that are struggling to cope with the impacts of homelessness.
     
    A psychologist in the House
     
    There is no panacea, unfortunately, but changes can be made -- even at the national level, where bureaucracies are entrenched and politics seem hopelessly stuck in partisan gridlock -- to create progress.
     
    U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican from Pennsylvania, is considered -- by members of Congress and one of the leading advocacy organizations -- a tireless proponent of improving access to, and quality of, mental-health services.
     
    A psychologist for three decades, Murphy is the sponsor of legislation that would overhaul the federal government's approach to mental health.
     
    H.R. 3717, titled "The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act," would expand some services and consolidate others. It would promote evidence-based care, provide additional alternatives to institutionalization and remove impediments that prevent Medicaid and Medicare from covering certain forms of cost-effective treatment.
     
    "The federal government's approach to mental health has been a chaotic patchwork of antiquated programs and ineffective policies across numerous agencies," Murphy said. "Sadly, patients end up in the criminal justice system or on the streets because services are not available."
     
    The National Alliance on Mental Illness, a leading advocacy group, commends Murphy for speaking out in Congress about the need for reform. NAMI lauds Murphy not only for talking about mental health, but for proposing sensible ideas that focus on improving the outcomes of treatment.
     
    U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, a Democrat from Arizona, has also introduced legislation related to mental health. "Both bills contain many excellent provisions that, if enacted, would represent major improvements in the mental health system," NAMI officials state.
     
    The alliance doesn't agree with every provision of each bill. It's clear, however, that NAMI respects Murphy's work in Congress and supports many components of H.R. 3717, including:
     
    •Expanding Medicaid reimbursement of inpatient psychiatric treatment;
     
    •Reauthorizing the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act, which provides resources to states and communities for jail diversion, law-enforcement and first-responder training, and other services to prevent unnecessary criminal justice involvement of youths and adults living with serious mental illness.
     
    • Improving access to psychiatric medication in Medicaid and Medicare.
     
    •Reinstituting federal programs focused on mental-health services -- including suicide prevention -- for children and youths.
     
    Personal appearance
     
    Residents of Southwest Florida will have an opportunity to learn more about Murphy and his legislation during a "town hall" meeting at noon on Aug. 19.
     
    The gathering will be hosted by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, the Republican who represents most of our region, and held at New College of Florida's Sainer Pavilion. (To reserve a seat call 941-951-6643.)
     
    Buchanan has, to his credit, become a co-sponsor of Murphy's legislation. We hope that, by signing onto the bill and bringing Murphy to the 16th Congressional District, Buchanan will not only provide his political support but act as a conduit between Congress and local patients and families, leaders, governments and agencies.
     
    As representatives of NAMI, Buchanan and Murphy have stated, mental illness and its impacts do not discriminate based on partisan labels. Perhaps, just perhaps, Republicans and Democrats could reconcile their differences and produce mental-health legislation that transcends party politics and advances the interests of Americans.
    Buchanan Votes to Overhaul VA System
    Allows veterans to seek private health care
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, voted today for legislation to help veterans receive timely access to medical care by allowing them to seek treatment outside the VA system. 
     
    The “Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act” (H.R. 3230), sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller, would require the VA to offer non-VA care to any enrolled veteran who resides more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility or cannot schedule an appointment within 30 days.  The $17 billion package includes funds to hire more doctors and nurses as well as authorizes construction projects for 27 new VA medical facilities.  The bill also contains provisions to make it easier to fire underperforming senior executives within the VA.
     
    The measure passed the House 420-5 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
     
    “Every veteran deserves timely access to quality health care,” said Buchanan.  “This bill is a positive first step toward disinfecting a broken VA system fraught with negligence and abuse.”
     
    Passage of H.R. 3230 comes a day after the Senate officially confirmed former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald as the next leader of the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs.  
     
    Buchanan, co-Chair of Florida’s bipartisan congressional delegation, held a hearing last month to address the VA health care system in Florida.  Six Florida facilities, including Bay Pines in St. Petersburg, are among the 112 being investigated for possibly manipulating appointment data.  More than 1.5 million veterans reside in the Sunshine State.
     
    Buchanan served four years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
     
    ###
    Buchanan Votes to Overhaul VA System
    Allows veterans to seek private health care
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, voted today for legislation to help veterans receive timely access to medical care by allowing them to seek treatment outside the VA system. 
     
    The “Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act” (H.R. 3230), sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller, would require the VA to offer non-VA care to any enrolled veteran who resides more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility or cannot schedule an appointment within 30 days.  The $17 billion package includes funds to hire more doctors and nurses as well as authorizes construction projects for 27 new VA medical facilities.  The bill also contains provisions to make it easier to fire underperforming senior executives within the VA.
     
    The measure passed the House 420-5 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
     
    “Every veteran deserves timely access to quality health care,” said Buchanan.  “This bill is a positive first step toward disinfecting a broken VA system fraught with negligence and abuse.”
     
    Passage of H.R. 3230 comes a day after the Senate officially confirmed former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald as the next leader of the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs.  
     
    Buchanan, co-Chair of Florida’s bipartisan congressional delegation, held a hearing last month to address the VA health care system in Florida.  Six Florida facilities, including Bay Pines in St. Petersburg, are among the 112 being investigated for possibly manipulating appointment data.  More than 1.5 million veterans reside in the Sunshine State.
     
    Buchanan served four years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
     
    ###
    Buchanan Votes to Overhaul VA System
    Allows veterans to seek private health care
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, voted today for legislation to help veterans receive timely access to medical care by allowing them to seek treatment outside the VA system. 
     
    The “Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act” (H.R. 3230), sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller, would require the VA to offer non-VA care to any enrolled veteran who resides more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility or cannot schedule an appointment within 30 days.  The $17 billion package includes funds to hire more doctors and nurses as well as authorizes construction projects for 27 new VA medical facilities.  The bill also contains provisions to make it easier to fire underperforming senior executives within the VA.
     
    The measure passed the House 420-5 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
     
    “Every veteran deserves timely access to quality health care,” said Buchanan.  “This bill is a positive first step toward disinfecting a broken VA system fraught with negligence and abuse.”
     
    Passage of H.R. 3230 comes a day after the Senate officially confirmed former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald as the next leader of the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs.  
     
    Buchanan, co-Chair of Florida’s bipartisan congressional delegation, held a hearing last month to address the VA health care system in Florida.  Six Florida facilities, including Bay Pines in St. Petersburg, are among the 112 being investigated for possibly manipulating appointment data.  More than 1.5 million veterans reside in the Sunshine State.
     
    Buchanan served four years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
     
    ###
    Buchanan Votes for Bipartisan Jobs Bill
    Improves Job Training for America’s Workforce
     
    WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, today voted for bipartisan legislation to help put millions of Americans back to work by providing them with the education and skills needed to compete in the 21st century job market.  The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803) now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.
     
    “The next war we face won’t be on the battlefield, but in the global marketplace,” Buchanan said, noting that China is poised to pass America in 2017 as the world’s largest economy.  “It is imperative that we help American workers access the education and training they need to compete in today’s economy.”
     
    The Labor Department reported this week that 4.6 million job openings existed by the end of May.  However, while job openings have risen 16 percent over the past year, hiring has only increased by 6 percent.  “Some economists,” USA TODAY reports, “have attributed the disparity to a mismatch between the skills of unemployed Americans and those required by employers.”
     
    Specifically, the House-passed bill will modernize and streamline federally funded workforce programs designed to improve job skills and close the unemployment gap.   The legislation would:
     
    Cut red tape to allow for region-specific and customized  job training programs
    Enable businesses to connect workers with skills identified as essential to their field
    Increase ability for workers and companies to utilize on-the-job training
    Ensure accountability of taxpayer dollars by streamlining program evaluation criteria
     
    More than 100 organizations, including business groups, trade associations and education advocates have publicly supported the bill.
     
    The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is part of the broader SKILLS Act, H.R. 803, which passed the House last year. 
     
    ###
    IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      CONTACT: MAX GOODMAN
    JULY 1, 2014                                                                                                          202.225.5015
    Buchanan gets ‘A’ for Protecting Privacy Rights
    Privacy Groups Praise Congressman’s Record
    Coalition includes Sunlight Foundation and Freedom of Press Foundation
    WASHINGTON – A coalition of privacy groups honored Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, this week for his actions in Congress to reform the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance programs and protect the constitutional liberties of American citizens.  
    Twenty-one groups – including the Sunlight Foundation, Reddit and Freedom of the Press Foundation – gave Buchanan an ‘A’ grade on its first annual “Stand Against Spying” Congressional Scorecard.    
    “We believe that people have a right to know whether their members of Congress are doing their jobs and helping to end mass spying,” the groups said on the website housing the scorecard.  “Our scorecard shines a light on all members of Congress, allowing citizens of the Internet to see whether their elected representatives stand as champions or roadblocks to real surveillance reform.”
    Buchanan’s score reflects his votes and leadership in Congress to end the NSA’s dragnet collection of Americans’ personal information. This includes Buchanan’s support last month for an amendment in the 2015 Defense Appropriations bill to block the NSA from conducting warrantless searches of innocent Americans’ communications records.  The landmark amendment passed the House 293-123 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
    Buchanan’s grade also reflects his co-sponsorship of the original USA Freedom Act, sponsored by Congressman James Sensenbrenner, to add essential oversight and transparency to government surveillance programs without weakening national security.      
    “I believe that our strength as a nation flows from the values and freedoms set forth by our founding fathers, including the right against unreasonable searches and seizures,” said Buchanan, a member of the Congressional Privacy Caucus.  “It’s imperative that both parties work together and institute reforms to protect the privacy and liberties of the American people.”
    Last week, The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that police must obtain a warrant to search a suspect’s cell phone – a sweeping endorsement for privacy rights.
    ###
    Buchanan Blasts VA “Watchdog” for Ignoring Problems
    Says Agency in Disturbing State of Denial  
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, today blasted the Department of Veterans Affairs internal watchdog for routinely downplaying legitimate complaints of patient neglect at medical facilities across the country.  The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the agency that investigates whistleblower complaints in the federal government, criticized the VA on Monday for failing to dig deeper into allegations made by its own employees of treatment errors and appointment delays.
     
    “The VA, and particularly the VA’s Office of the Medical Inspector, has consistently used a ‘harmless error’ defense, where the department acknowledges problems but claims patient care is unaffected,” Carolyn Lerner, who leads the OSC, wrote in a six-page letter to President Obama. “This approach has prevented the VA from acknowledging the severity of systemic problems and from taking the necessary steps to provide quality care to veterans.”
     
    Ms. Lerner’s letter cites multiple cases where VA medical inspectors refused to acknowledge threats to patient health or safety, including:
     
    In Brockton, Mass., a veteran was not given his first psychiatric evaluation until he had spent eight years as a resident of its VA mental health facility.  
     
    In Grand Junction, Colo., the VA facility’s drinking water had elevated levels of Legionella bacteria, which can cause forms of pneumonia, and standard maintenance and cleaning procedures were not performed.
     
    In Buffal
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