Calvert RSS Articles

REP. CALVERT VOTES FOR DOC FIX THAT DOESN’T ADD TO THE DEFICIT

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) voted in support of the Republican Motion to Recommit the Democrat Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act. The changes would have provided a four year fix to the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate for physician payments, preventing a 21% cut physicians are facing in 2010 and replacing it with a 2% increase. In addition, the motion would have made the legislation deficit neutral, offset by enacting commonsense national medical liability reforms, creating an approval process within the FDA for biosimilar pharmaceuticals, enacting administrative simplifications within the insurance industry and utilizing existing resources within the Department of Health and Human Services. This motion was defeated on the House Floor, by a vote of 177-251.

Earlier, Calvert also voted to support a Republican proposal which would have provided a two year “fix” to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) mechanism for Medicare physician payments again preventing a 21% cut faced by physicians in 2010 and instead implementing an increase of up to $22.3 billion over two years. This proposal was defeated by a vote of 177-252.

“Once again, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats prefer to enact over $200 billion in deficit spending rather than make the responsible choice that provides for a deficit neutral offset for the Doc Fix,” said Rep. Calvert. “Furthermore, the Democrat bill fails to address the underlying problem and repeal the SGR. Instead it rebases the current SGR formula to 2009, a temporary patch that could leave Medicare physicians facing cuts as early as 2011. In addition, the bill continues to tie physician payment rates to GDP, rather than a medical index, which unfairly punishes physicians when the economy slows. Rather than enact temporary patches that increase the deficit, Congress should work to enact a permanent solution to fairly reimburse physicians who see Medicare patients.”

Rep. Calvert has consistently voted to prevent reductions to physician payments under Medicare due to the flawed SGR by enacting deficit neutral legislation to prevent cuts and provide increases. The Republican Motion to Recommit would have offset the cost of the fix and provided Congress with time to enact a solution to repeal the SGR.

By contrast, the Democrat bill, H.R. 3961, did not include offsets. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of the bill at $210 billion.

• Additionally, senior citizens will be expected to pay $50 billion in increased Medicare Part B premiums, raising the actual cost of the bill to $260 billion.

• However, the true cost must be calculated by removing the budget gimmicks taken by the Administration to produce an artificially lower estimate of the bill. After true costs are calculated, the price of the bill increases to $279 billion.

• Democrats cut seniors’ Medicare by one-half trillion dollars in order to subsidize their government-takeover of America’s health care system (H.R. 3962). Why did they use none of this money to pay-for an SGR fix? Making matters worse, they spent $425 billion to expand Medicaid, which reimburses physicians 54% less than their average private insurance reimbursement rates.

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REP. CALVERT SUPPORTS DIRECTING REMAINING TARP FUNDS TO DEFICIT REDUCTION

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In response to news that Democrats are looking for ways to spend the remaining $200 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds, Rep. Calvert issued the following statement:

“Rather than figuring out how to squander another $200 billion of taxpayer money in the name of corporate interests, Congress must allow TARP to sunset,” said Rep. Calvert. “TARP has been a disaster and the remaining funds should go against our exploding deficit. I will vote against any action by Democrats, who are already greedily eyeing the leftover funds for pet projects, which would do anything but apply those leftover funds against the deficit.”

According to a recent Politico article (“Dems fight over funds left from bailout,” 11/20/09), the Democratic Leadership is contemplating using remaining TARP funds for various other projects. The Financial Services Committee, on a mostly party-line vote, defeated an amendment by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) which would have directed non-committed TARP funds to pay down the deficit.

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REP. CALVERT SIGNS DISCHARGE PETITION ON GUANTANAMO BAY CLOSING

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Calvert (R-CA) signed the discharge petition on H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act.

“The Administration and the Pelosi Congress are moving forward on a dangerous precedent that will bring terrorists to the U.S., place them in federal prisons and, depending on the level of evidence, either prosecute them or let them go,” said Rep. Calvert.

“It is preposterous that we are bringing war combatants to the U.S. in order to give them all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen, expend taxpayer dollars to prosecute them as criminals, and, quite possibly, let them walk free in our society. It is already happening in New York.

“The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is an incentive for terrorists to attack Americans on U.S. soil, rather than face our military on the battlefield, because they will be afforded every right and privilege of a U.S. citizen. And yet terrorists refuse to acknowledge even the most basic of human rights, such as not using children as human shields. Even more offensive, the trial and defense of these terrorists will be paid for with American taxpayer dollars.

“The Democratic leadership mistakenly thinks that the closing of Guantanamo Bay will somehow appease our enemies – it will not. It will only reinforce their opinion that the U.S does not have what it takes to win this war.”

Rep. Hoekstra filed the discharge petition on H.R. 2294. The bill was authored by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and cosponsored by 169 Members, of which Rep. Calvert was a cosponsor. The bill would:

• Affirm Congress’ opposition to transferring or releasing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States;

• Prohibit the Obama Administration from transferring or releasing any terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to any state without express approval from the state’s governor and legislature, and certification to Congress that strict requirements have been met; and

• Prohibit the president from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States without fulfilling strict congressional notification and certification requirements.

Rep. Calvert introduced H.R. 1069 in February which directs the President to:

• Notify the congressional defense committees at least 90 days before taking any action associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners.

• Submit a study regarding the feasibility of closing Guantanamo Bay which shall address legal ramifications, security, infrastructure and other support requirements associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners.

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REP. CALVERT STATEMENT ON VETERANS DAY

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Calvert (R-CA) issued the following statement commemorating Veterans Day, November 11, 2009:

“Almost a week ago our country was shocked by the tragic events at Fort Hood and our prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of those killed and with the wounded. It is unconscionable that our soldiers were attacked and harmed on a U.S .Army base where they should be safe from the dangers they have already faced or will face on the battlefield.

“The events at Ft. Hood are a stark reminder that our troops are always on duty. They face dangers while the majority of us live far removed from such risks. And today, on Veterans Day, we will reaffirm a solemn promise that we will remember and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces – past and present. Today we honor all those who have served and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“Throughout our country’s history, there are countless stories of sacrifice and heroism from every war. Our living veterans can attest to that fact. Many heroic actions go unnoticed except by those who survive those perilous moments and live on. Our military is not boastful. Most would probably prefer the quiet approval and respect of their fellow brothers-in-arms than a parade in their honor. However, on Veterans Day we do not let them escape without knowing our nation’s gratitude. We celebrate them, we thank them, we wave the American flag and we hold parades in their honor – and yet it pales in comparison to all that our veterans have done for us.

“To all those who have served – today is your day. Our country salutes you. May God Bless you and May God Bless America.”

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REP. CALVERT VOTES AGAINST PELOSI GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) voted against H.R. 3962, the Pelosi health care bill to create government-run health care.

“Rather than focusing on how to insure those who have been denied coverage and create a compromise bill that makes health care insurance more affordable and accessible, the Pelosi Congress has opted to pass a bill that will lead to a government takeover of our health care system,” said Rep. Calvert. “I voted against the bill because I could not in good conscious vote for the first steps toward the creation of a single-payer system. This bill creates over $1trillion in new government spending, funded with the ‘hope’ that our children will figure out how to pay the bill tomorrow and ’change’ in Medicare that takes $500 billion from a program that covers over 40 million senior citizens.

“America has always relied on the ingenuity of our citizens and the competitiveness of our system to provide the best health care in the world. While I wholeheartedly agree that our system must be reformed and improved, H.R. 3962 passed by the Pelosi Congress is an abomination.”

Rep. Calvert voted for Minority Leader Boehner’s Substitute bill which was the Republican alternative to the Pelosi health care bill. He also voted for the Motion to Recommit which would have added common-sense medical liability reforms, imposed caps on non-economic damages of $250,000, capped punitive damages and restricted attorney contingency fees. In addition, the bill addresses concerns regarding the statute of limitations on malpractice liability and collateral source damages. The savings from enactment of those liability reforms—which would lower health costs by eliminating defensive medicine practices—would be directed into a new Seniors Protection and Medicare Regional Payment Equity Fund in order to correct physician reimbursement inequities and preserve seniors’ choice and access to quality medical care.

Immediate Consequences of the Pelosi Health Care Plan:

RAISES TAXES: The Pelosi bill breaks a promise made by President Obama, imposing a range of tax increases on families with income below $250,000. Tax increases on middle class families include: an individual mandate tax of up to 2.5 percent of income for taxpayers earning as little as $9,350; a repeal of tax incentives for Americans to purchase many popular medicines with funds from an HSA (health savings account); new limits on FSAs (flexible spending accounts) destroying tax incentives for Americans to plan ahead for their medical expenses; a wheel chair, and other medical device, tax that the independent Congressional Budget Office agrees will be passed on to consumers; and a new tax on insurance policies.

MASSIVE CUTS TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Under the Pelosi health care plan, $170 billion would be cut from the highly successful Medicare Advantage Program, which covers almost 50% of the Medicare beneficiaries in the 44th Congressional District, which would mean of the 36,124 beneficiaries in the District half would be effected. These cuts undermine a program that gives seniors the choice to enroll in a private option that provides the same benefits as traditional Medicare, prescription drug and other additional health benefits, usually with lower copayments. These cuts will result in reduced benefits to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries or in higher premiums and copayments for fixed income seniors for the same level of service. The Pelosi bill also gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services unchecked authority to reject, any Medicare Advantage or Part D provider’s offer to provide coverage, giving another unelected bureaucrat the unlimited authority to force 10 million beneficiaries off of Medicare Advantage and onto government-run Medicare.

REWARDS TRIAL LAWYERS: The Pelosi plan bribes states to repeal effective liability reforms that cap fees for trial lawyers and limit punitive damages in malpractice lawsuits. California, which enacted these common sense reforms to lower medical liability costs for their residents, will lose out on federal funds for its health care systems if it does not repeal its reforms. This provision would force California to choose whether to put money into the hands of trial lawyers and repeal reforms or sacrifice needed health care dollars.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RECEIVE BENEFITS: The Pelosi health care bill is extremely vague when it comes to citizenship verification processes. As the bill is currently written, a person would only need to “declare” that they are a citizen, provide a name and Social Security number and they would be eligible to receive health insurance benefits. There is no requirement for identification documentation whatsoever. It is absolutely unacceptable that this bill would not, at a minimum, require even one identification document in order to receive taxpayer funded health care benefits. The bill should include clear processes and require documentation to confirm that an individual applying for health care benefits is a citizen or legal resident of the United States (like E-Verify, a program Rep. Calvert created in 1996 for employers to verify the legal status of new employees).

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTION: Congressman Calvert voted in favor of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which maintains the current federal government policy of preventing federal funding for abortion and for benefits packages that include abortion. This amendment ensures that federal taxpayers will not be coerced into funding elective abortions and is supported by US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Democrats for Life, National Right to Life, Americans United for Life, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America and many other pro-life groups.

“I look forward to continuing to work to ensure taxpayer funds are not used to fund abortions and to provide the broadest possible conscience protections for physicians, health professionals, hospitals, insurers, and all those in the business of caring for the health of Americans,” said Rep. Calvert.

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CALL BLUE DOGS AND URGE NO VOTE ON PELOSI HEALTH CARE

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Click here for a list of Blue Dog Democrats

REP. CALVERT ATTENDS RALLY ON THE HILL PROTESTING PELOSI HEALTH CARE BILL

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) attended a rally at the Capitol protesting the Pelosi health care bill.

“It was an honor to be with the many Americans who traveled long distances to participate in today’s rally on the Capitol to voice our opposition together against the Pelosi health care bill,” said Rep. Calvert. “Congress should focus on what is driving up the costs of health care and how it can insure people who want and need insurance but have been denied coverage, rather than force through a public option that will crowd out private insurance and create a government-run system. Congress should focus on increasing the accessibility, affordability and portability of private health insurance and enact common sense and cost saving reforms such as national medical liability reform, not force a new system upon Americans that we, as a country, cannot afford.”

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REP. CALVERT “FREEDOM AND AMERICAN INGENUITY ARE UNDER THE KNIFE”

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Calvert (R-CA) issued the following statement in response to Speaker Pelosi’s health care plan:

“Today Speaker Pelosi introduced legislation that will fundamentally alter how Americans manage their personal health care choices. The Pelosi Health Care Plan spent American liberties to purchase House Democratic votes in order to secure a political victory. The resulting legislation has put freedom and American ingenuity under the knife. For the sake of the country, we must kill this bill.

“While Pelosi bought votes behind closed doors, Republicans stood ready with an alternative approach that would fix the problems in our system and, most importantly, not put health care choices in the hands of Washington bureaucrats. Congress should focus on what is driving up the costs of health care and how it can insure people who want and need insurance but have been denied coverage, rather than force through a public option that will crowd out private insurance and create a government-run system. Congress should focus on increasing the accessibility, affordability and portability of private health insurance and enact common sense and cost saving reforms such as national medical liability reform, not force a new system upon Americans that we, as a country, cannot afford.”

Three alarming outcomes of the Pelosi Health Care Plan:

RAISES TAXES: The Pelosi bill breaks a promise made by President Obama, imposing a range of tax increases on families with income below $250,000. Tax increases on middle class families include: an individual mandate tax of up to 2.5 percent of income for taxpayers earning as little as $9,350; a repeal of tax incentives for Americans to purchase many popular medicines with funds from an HSA (health savings account); new limits on FSAs (flexible spending accounts) destroying tax incentives for Americans to plan ahead for their medical expenses; a wheel chair, and other medical device, tax that the independent Congressional Budget Office agrees will be passed on to consumers; and a new tax on all insurance policies.

MASSIVE CUTS TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Under the Pelosi health care plan, $170 billion would be cut from the highly successful Medicare Advantage Program, which covers almost 50% of the Medicare beneficiaries in the 44th Congressional District. These cuts undermine a program that gives seniors the choice to enroll in a private option that provides the same benefits as traditional Medicare, prescription drug and other additional health benefits, usually with lower copayments. These cuts will result in reduced benefits to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries or in fixed income seniors having to pay higher premiums and copayments for the same level of service. The Pelosi bill also gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services unchecked authority to reject, any Medicare Advantage or Part D provider’s offer to provide coverage, giving another bureaucrat the unlimited authority to force 10 million beneficiaries off of Medicare Advantage and onto government-run Medicare.

Text of the health care bills can be found here:

H.R. 3962 - Affordable Health Care for America Act as Introduced: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf, and

H.R. 3961 - Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_sgr1.pdf

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REP. CALVERT REFUTES MEDIA STORIES

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Calvert (R-CA) issued the following response to the Associated Press story (“SoCal congressman probed over land deal,” 10/17/09):

“The Associated Press story is wrong. It was rehashed and extrapolated from a single-sourced, reckless story by the Riverside Press Enterprise (10/17/09, p.1).

“I am not under investigation by the FBI.

“A 2007 final report by the Riverside County Grand Jury found no wrongdoing on the part of the buyers, of which I am a silent partner, in the sale of a 4.3 acre parcel of land to Stadium Properties by the Jurupa Community Services District.

“Neither I nor my partners were ever contacted by the FBI, then or now. Neither I nor my partners were ever contacted by the Grand Jury. My name does not even appear in the Grand Jury report.

“The Grand Jury primarily and properly focused on the illegal actions of the Jurupa Community Services District which failed to provide advance notice of the availability of public land for sale to other government agencies. The Grand Jury found sole fault with the JCSD and recommended they turnover the $1.2 million in proceeds to the Jurupa Area Parks and Recreation District.”

The Grand Jury report is attached.

REP. CALVERT PRAISES 100 YEARS OF U.S. MILITARY AVIATION

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday Rep. Calvert joined his colleagues and passed H. Res. 445, by voice vote. As a cosponsor of the resolution, he recognized 100 years of military aviation and expressed his ongoing support for all military aviators serving in the United States Armed Forces.

“The U.S. has a proud history in aviation, beginning with the Wright Brothers who pioneered the first flight,” said Rep. Calvert. “Aviation is also an important part of the 44th congressional district.”

March Air Reserve Base (MARB) hosts the C-17As of the 792nd Air Mobility Wing (AMW) in addition to KC-135s, and C-130s. The Air National Guard also has a detachment of F-16s.

“It is truly an honor to support, the long-standing tradition of aviation in the Inland Empire and I’m pleased to lend my support to the Distinguished Flying Cross Society and their efforts to build a National Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air Museum,” stated Rep. Calvert.

On June 6, 2009, Rep. Calvert introduced, H.R. 2788, a bill to designate a Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air Museum (MFAM) as a national memorial. The monument will perpetuate the memory of the aviators who have, and who will one day receive, the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The Memorial will be available to thousands of visitors each year and while viewing the static display at MFAM, visitors will be frequently treated to an operational air unit providing support to our troops in Iraq. Every year, MFAM has a front row seat to the MARB air show, which frequently features the Air Force Thunderbirds. It is a fitting place to honor the many aviators who have distinguished themselves by deeds performed in aerial flight. The monument will be topped by a model of the Loening OA-1A amphibian aircraft, which was flown on the Pan-American Goodwill Flight of 1926. The ten aviators who flew this mission were the first receipts of the Distinguished Flying Certificate from President Calvin Coolidge.

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