Berkley to Vote for Enhanced GI Bill, Full
Troop Funding
Package Improves
Educational Benefits for
America’s Armed Forces &
Veterans
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley will vote to fully fund the
mission of America’s troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and to modernize the GI
Bill, which provides scholarships to returning members of the armed forces. As
a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Berkley has fought to
enhance educational opportunities and resources for current vets and the men and
women serving in America’s military.
“This funding package will ensure that our troops have the
resources they need to continue their mission. More than 15,000 Nevadans have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 and I salute the dedication and
bravery of these men and women and recognize the sacrifices that have been made
by their loved ones back home,” said Berkley.
The legislation before the House includes $161.8 billion to
support the cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the
summer of 2009. The package also modernizes the GI Bill, including enhanced
benefits for the National Guard and Reserves.
“I am proud to support this modernization of the GI Bill
which will give more of our troops the financial assistance they need to pay for
college or advanced technical training,” said Berkley. “Our plan fully restores
education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to the level available
after World War II and it honors the promise we made to our men and women in
military uniform. Enhancing educational benefits will give our returning troops
the tools they need to succeed in the workplace, including careers outside or
inside the U.S. military.”
The GI bill modernization package has the support of major
veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
“There is no question we need to improve and expand the GI
Bill and that includes full benefits for our National Guard and Reserve units
that have bravely served since September 11, 2001,” said Berkley.
The new GI Bill restores full, four-year college
scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part
of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II. Under the bill,
servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served three years
on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year
education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school.
Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3
months of active duty since September 11, 2001, including members of the
National Guard and Reserve.
Extension Of Unemployment Benefits
Will Help Las Vegas Valley Families
House Set to Pass 13 Weeks
Additional Assistance for
Jobless Nevadans; No Cost
to State
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley said she will again vote to extend unemployment
benefits an additional 13 weeks at a time when Nevada’s jobless rate is above
the national average. The extension for qualified Nevadans is included as part
of a funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan scheduled to come for a vote before
the House.
“At
a time when we are seeing higher unemployment rates at home and across the
nation, this 13 week extension package will help Valley households cover day to
day expenses when someone in the family loses a job. Opposition from the White
House has already delayed this assistance, but I hope President Bush will
finally join our effort to help millions of Americans who are in search of
jobs,” said Berkley.
The
legislation expected to be approved by the House will benefit 3.8 million
unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment
benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular
unemployment benefits.
“I am
confident that Las Vegas will weather this storm, but in the meantime, more of
our friends and neighbors are in need of this assistance than ever before.
Working together, we can get these benefits into the hands of southern Nevada
families in need of this help to pay the rent and keep food on the dinner
table,” said Berkley.
As a
member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley worked to craft the
unemployment compensation extension package that was included in the spending
package that will come before the House this afternoon. The package is entirely
funded through federal resources and does not require any state funding.
“Because
this is a federally funded extension of unemployment benefits, there will be no
cost to Nevada state government. This is especially important given our record
state budget shortfalls and the painful cuts in important services that are
being proposed as a result,” said Berkley.
House Passes Berkley Tax Relief Package
138,000 Nevadans Protected From Amt
Blocks Alternative
Minimum Tax Liability for 25 Million Americans
More
than 25 million Americans will be protected from the alternative minimum tax
(AMT) under legislation cosponsored by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and passed
today by the U.S. House of Representatives 233-189. As a member of the House
Ways and Means Committee, Berkley helped to craft the legislation eliminating
AMT liability for 138,000 Nevadans.
“The
AMT was never meant to target working families and this package will provide
138,000 Nevadans with vital tax relief,” said Berkley. “We are protecting 25
million Americans from having to pay the AMT next year and I hope we can work
quickly to get this important package through the Senate and to the President
for his signature.”
Originally designed to prevent extremely wealthy individuals from avoiding the
payment of any taxes, the AMT over time has grown to include millions of middle
class families. The AMT package will block liability for single taxpayers
earning as little as $46,200 per year in adjusted gross income and for joint
filers earning $69,950 or below in adjusted gross income annually.
“Given
the tough times we are facing economically, this tax relief package is even more
essential for middle class families already juggling higher prices for food,
housing and the fuel needed to fill their cars and trucks,” said Berkley.
Berkley Works To Protect Doctor Access
for Nevada Medicare Patients
Votes to Block 10% Cut in
Payments to Physicians
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted to protect access to their doctor for Nevada
seniors and millions of other Americans covered under Medicare. The House
approved The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
(H.R. 6331) this afternoon on a vote of 355 to 59. The legislation blocks a
scheduled 10% cut in payments to physicians who serve Medicare patients.
“Congress must act before the end of June to protect Nevada Medicare patients
from losing access to their physicians. This bill will protect critical access
to medical care for millions of seniors and it recognizes that we cannot ask our
doctors to lose money when they see someone covered under Medicare,” said
Berkley. “And with the Valley’s rapidly growing senior population, Las Vegas
would be especially hard hit as a result of this drastic cut in reimbursement
rates. This package is a win-win-win that protects seniors, addresses the
concerns of our doctors and makes good on Medicare’s promise of access to
quality healthcare services. I hope the President will recognize the importance
of this bill and will not seek to veto the package given the July 1st
deadline for these cuts to take effect.”
Berkley
noted that the legislation also enhances Medicare preventive and mental health
benefits and improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare
beneficiaries.
“In
addition to preventing this severe cut, the bill will also allow more low income
seniors to take advantage of subsidy programs, it will add additional preventive
benefits, and it will lower co-pays for mental health to bring them in line with
those of other health benefits.”
KEY POINTS
-
Eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for
the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update in Medicare
physician payments for 2009.
-
Extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare
beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040. This includes the “Qualified
Individual” program which pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries
with incomes of $12,480 to $14,040 a year.
-
Increases the amount of assets that low-income beneficiaries can have and
still qualify for financial help with Medicare costs.
-
Adds new preventive benefits to the Medicare program and reduces beneficiary
out of pocket costs for mental health care.
With Clock Ticking, Berkley Urges Senate to
Pass Medicare Fix
Action Needed Before July
1st to Protect Medicare Patient Access to Doctor Care
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
yesterday called on Senate Republicans to stop blocking passage of legislation
needed to protect Nevada seniors and millions of other Americans covered under
Medicare. Unless Congress acts, reimbursement rates paid to doctors who treat
Medicare patients will be slashed by more than 10%. The move threatens to keep
Medicare patients from being able to see their regular doctor.
“The Senate must act before
the end of June to protect the ability for Nevada Medicare patients to see their
own doctors. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans are playing games with this
legislation, even as the clock is ticking on the cuts going in to effect,” said
Berkley. “This bill, which I supported in the House, recognizes that we cannot
ask our doctors to lose money when they see a Medicare patient,” said Berkley.
“And with the Valley’s rapidly growing senior population, Las Vegas would be
especially hard hit as a result of this drastic cut in reimbursement rates. The
package stalled in the Senate is a win-win-win that protects seniors, addresses
the concerns of our doctors and makes good on Medicare’s promise of access to
quality healthcare services. Let’s put aside our differences and do what is
right for Medicare patients and for the physicians who work to keep them
healthy.”
Earlier this week, the House
approved The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
(H.R. 6331) on a vote of 355 to 59. In addition to blocking the payment cut,
the legislation also enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits and
improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
“In addition to preventing
this severe cut, the bill will also allow more low income seniors to take
advantage of subsidy programs, it will add additional preventive benefits, and
it will lower co-pays for mental health to bring them in line with those of
other health benefits.”
KEY POINTS
-
Eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for
the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update in Medicare
physician payments for 2009.
-
Extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare
beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040. This includes the “Qualified
Individual” program which pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries
with incomes of $12,480 to $14,040 a year.
-
Increases the amount of assets that low-income beneficiaries can have and
still qualify for financial help with Medicare costs.
-
Adds new preventive benefits to the Medicare program and reduces beneficiary
out of pocket costs for mental health care.
