Chair's Press
HELP DEMOCRATS CALL FOR URGENT HEALTH CARE REFORM
WASHINGTON, DC- Senior Democrats on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a press conference today to discuss The Affordable Health Choices Act and the urgent need for health reform that reduces costs, protects choice and guarantees quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Nurses, medical students, and individuals with firsthand experience joined them in support of reforming our broken health care system. Tomorrow at 10:00am, the HELP Committee will begin to… Continue Reading
06.09.09
Kennedy, HELP Committee Democrats Announce the "Affordable Health Choices Act" Bipartisan Talks Continue on Outstanding Key Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - For the past year, Chairman Edward M. Kennedy and Democratic Members and staff of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) have been working to develop legislation that reduces health care costs, allows Americans to keep the coverage they have if they want it, and makes health insurance affordable to those who do not have it today. Today, while discussions between HELP Committee Democrats and Republicans on key outstanding issues continue, Chairman… Continue Reading
06.02.09
KENNEDY PRAISES CEA HEALTH REFORM REPORT, CALLS FOR ACTION
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement today on the Council of Economic Advisers report, The Economic Case for Health Care Reform, and the importance of such reform for increasing economic growth, reducing unemployment, assisting small businesses, and easing family budgets: "The Council's report emphas the major economic benefit to the nation that will also be achieved if we make health c… Continue Reading
05.27.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $666 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION
BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that Massachusetts will receive $666 million in economic recovery funds through the U.S. Department of Education's State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The funds are being made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year. The $666 million for Massachusetts will be used to protect and create jobs and improve education in the Commonwealth. The funds are intended to save education jobs and … Continue Reading
05.27.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $9.9 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO MASSACHUSETTS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that 50 grantees at seventeen biomedical research and research training institutions in Massachusetts have been awarded a total of $9,902,161 in federal funding. The funds come from the National Institute of Health through a program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support biomedical research projects that will stimulate the economy, create or retain jobs, increase student-teacher training opportunities in … Continue Reading
05.22.09
Kennedy and Dodd Champion Paid Sick Days Legislation for America's Working Families
**Summary of legislation included.** WASHINGTON, DC- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Christopher Dodd yesterday evening introduced the Healthy Families Act, which will allow American workers to earn paid sick days to care for themselves and their families without risking their jobs. Now more than ever, workers are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families. Yet almost half of today's private sector workforce doesn't have a single paid sick day-including 79%… Continue Reading
05.19.09
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY IN SUPPORT OF FDA REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS United States Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Executive Meeting As Entered into the Record
Today, the Senate begins the final steps toward passage of legislation that should have been enacted years ago - authority for the FDA to regulate tobacco products, the most lethal of all consumer products. It has been a long and arduous path with many political obstacles. Fortunately, the legislative journey is nearing a successful conclusion. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a nearly identical bill last month. Once approved by this Committee, the FDA Tobacco bill will move q… Continue Reading
05.14.09
Kennedy, Colleagues Call For Further Investigation of Former PBGC's Director's Actions with Contract Awards
WASHINGTON, DC- Four U.S. senators have asked the Inspector General for the PensionBenefit Guaranty Corporation to continue investigating the corporation's former director, basedon findings reported in a draft Inspector General report made public today. The draft report indicates possible interference in contracting decisions by the former director in rwarding a total of $2.5 billion in assets held by the PBGC for real estate equity and privateequity investments. The draft report is posted with… Continue Reading
05.12.09
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE 2009 MEDICARE TRUSTEES REPORT
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy today released the following statement regarding the Medicare Trustees Report of 2009, which includes updated projections for the solvency of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds: "This disturbing report confirms what we all know - our health care system is in crisis, and the status quo is not sustainable. The President understands the urgency of the problem, and I'm honored to be working with him and my colleagues on both sides of the ai… Continue Reading
05.12.09
Kenney, Kerry Announce Over $5 Million in NIH Grants to Massachusetts Universities, Hospitals and Health Facilities
BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that nine health research institutions in Massachusetts will receive seventeen federal grants from the National Institute of Health totaling over $5 million made under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Senator Kennedy said, "These federal funds will enable our outstanding Massachusetts hospitals and universities to enhance their cutting-edge medical research and develop innovative treatments and cures of… Continue Reading
05.07.09
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE NOMINATION OF DR. MARGARET HAMBURG TO BE FDA COMMISSIONER
As Entered into the Record The FDA's mission is to oversee the safety, effectiveness, and security of the nation's food supply, drugs, medical devices, biologics, and cosmetics. It helps expedite innovations to make these products even safer, more effective, and more affordable, before, during, and after approval. These responsibilities are enormous. The agency regulates approximately $1 trillion of consumer goods, and about 25% of consumer spending in the United States. It covers ap… Continue Reading
05.01.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $1.5 MILLION FOR MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS, AND HEALTH FACILITIES
BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that four health research institutions in Massachusetts will receive six federal grants from the National Institute of Health totaling nearly $1.5 million, made under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Senator Kennedy said, "I commend these extraordinary Massachusetts institutions for their commitment to producing vital, cutting-edge research that will better the lives of those in the Commonwealth and across the c… Continue Reading
05.01.09
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON PROPOSAL TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS BY $2 TRILLION OVER TEN YEARS
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today released the following statement regarding the proposal from a coalition of insurers, hospitals, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and providers that could save the country $2 trillion over the next decade. In a meeting with President Obama earlier today, the coalition proposed aggressive steps that would reduce the annual health care spending growth … Continue Reading
04.28.09
Statement of Edward M. Kennedy on Creating Incentives for Safter Workplaces and Meaningful Roles for Victims and Their Families United States Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
As Entered into the Record This morning our committee takes up the important issue of protecting the workplace safety and health of the hard-working men and women of America. I commend Senator Murray for holding this hearing and for her leadership on this major issue. Twenty years ago, workplace safety advocates and families of employees killed on the job launched Workers Memorial Day-a day of remembrance and advocacy. Their goal was to express their grief over lost friends, coworkers and love… Continue Reading
04.20.09
Kenney, Kerry Announce $54.2 Million for Unemployment Insurance in Massachusetts
WASHINGTON, DC- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today issued the following statements in response to the Department of Labor's announcement that $54.2 million in unemployment insurance incentive funds will be released to Massachusetts. Senator Kennedy was the chief sponsor of the unemployment insurance modernization legislation that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and that led to this distribution of funds. The funds are available through the American Rec… Continue Reading
04.09.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $23 MILLION FOR CHILD CARE IN MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON, MA- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today announced $23 million in federal funds will be made available for child care services in Massachusetts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "During this economic crisis, it's essential to provide needed assistance to families struggling to maintain their jobs and care for their children," said Senator Kennedy. "This assistance is an important boost for families … Continue Reading
04.09.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $4.2 MILLION FOR CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION IN MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON, MA- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today announced that $4.2 million in federal funds will be made available for child immunization in Massachusetts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "Far too many children across our Commonwealth fail to obtain the vaccinations they need, and a needless burden is imposed on doctors and hospitals," said Senator Kennedy. "Prevention of illness is a fundamental public he… Continue Reading
03.18.09
NATIONAL SERVICE LEGISLATION HEADED TO SENATE FLOOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), all members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) today applauded Committee passage of the Serve America Act (S. 277), legislation that greatly expands domestic service opportunities for all Americans. Continuing the bipartisan tradition of national service legislation, the Serve America Act was written by HELP Committee Chairman K… Continue Reading
03.18.09
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SENIOR NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON, MA- Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that $2.1 million in federal funds will be awarded for nutrition programs to support senior citizens in Massachusetts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funds will benefit approximately one million seniors throughout the Commonwealth, with $1.4 million allocated for congregate nutrition programs at senior centers, and $700,000 will be allocated for home deliverednutrition programs such as "Meals on Wheels… Continue Reading
03.09.09
Statement of Senator Edward M. Kennedy on President Obama's Executive Order to Allow for Increased Stem Cell Research
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today released the following statement in response to President Obama signing an executive order that will allow for increased research on embryonic stem cells. "Sometimes medicine advances through inspired discoveries in the laboratory, and sometimes through brilliant insights at the patient's bedside. But today, an extraordinary medical breakthrough was achieved with the stroke of a pen… Continue Reading
