Senate Democrats Say Prevention Essential For Health Care Reform

By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) said Wednesday that health care reform legislation must include extensive measures to promote wellness and prevention.

“As I have said many times... we currently do not have a health care system in America, we have a sick care system,” Harkin said.

The Iowa Senator explained that simply treating illness after diagnosis is much more costly than using the same money to promote preventative treatment.

“Our aim is to recreate America as a genuine wellness society, a society focused on healthy lifestyle and preventing the chronic diseases that take suck a toll on our bodies and our budgets,” Harkin said.

Both Harkin and Udall have been long time advocates of promoting prevention, claiming that for every dollar invested in wellness, several dollars used for expensive treatments are saved.

“Our current system is clearly broken and unsustainable. We really have a disease management system,” Udall said. “We really must get out in front of these diseases.”

Harkin maintained during the press conference that both the Senate and House bills will be done and in conference by Christmas.

Families Harmed By Faulty Medical Devices Demand Justice

By Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

A number of a families adversely affected by malfunctioning medical equipment gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to voice their support for the Medical Device Safety Act, a bill that would allow consumers to file lawsuits against their devices’ manufacturers.

“I think it’s important that this bill is passed. There is a major injustice in the situation,” said Mike Collins of Georgetown, Texas during a press conference. Collins, who is afflicted with the heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, received six improper shocks from an implanted defibrillator in 2007.

“The companies need to be held responsible for what they do,” Collins added.

Also in attendance were six year-old Avery Degroh of McHenry, Illinois, who was also shocked by a faulty defibrillator and the family of Robert Baird, an Oakdale, Minnesota teenager who died from a pacemaker malfunction.

Under current conditions, federal law prohibits individuals from taking legal action against medical device manufacturers if the devices have been approved by the FDA. If the Medical Device Safety Act passes, those suffering from faulty devices will be able to side step federal law by filing state productivity lawsuits.

Giving Power Back To The People

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) and Congressman George Miller (D-Ca) held a press conference to discuss the progress of the “Employment Free Choice Act: Strengthening the Middle Class.”

Senator Harkin’s said: “We are introducing legislation that puts the power back into the hands of the people who are truly the backbone of our country. Today, Congressman Miller and I along with our co-sponsors are introducing the Employment Free Choice Act and we intend to pass this act not in a matter of years, but in weeks or months.”

Senator Harkin’s added: “In 2004 the average CEO made 431 times that of the average worker.

Congressman Miller said: “Under this bill the employees can choose to organize either through the National Labor Relations Board Election Process or through a majority sign up. Under the current law the CEO can veto employees choice when they use majority sign up. Under this bill the employee’s choice will be respected.”

The two said that from discussions they anticipated that the Senate would be first to vote on the Act and Senator Harkin’s said that by the time the vote comes he “believes” that there will be the 60 votes required for the legislation to pass.

The vote in the Senate is expected to take place after Easter recess.

Sen. Harkin: Sen. McCain is out of touch with rural communities

Chairman and the Senate Agriculture Committee, Tom Harkin (D-IA), hosted a conference call, highlighting Sen. Barack Obama’s support for development programs that help make sizable investments in infrastructure, rural health, and small business development in small towns. Harkin said that Obama has been the champion for rural development and getting the 2008 farm Bill enacted.

“Unlike Obama, Sen. McCain has opposed every Farm Bill and has stated that he would veto them as well. McCain is out of touch with rural communities, while Obama has fought to save them,” Harkin said during the conference call.

Harkin went on to say that small town jobs are created by their small town businesses, and that without Obama’s economic plan, these businesses will be in jeopardy. “Obama’s plan will take us in a new and better direction that we are desperately seeking,” Harkin said.