Health

DelBene Stands Up for Medicare on 50th Anniversary

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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement today on the 50th anniversary of Medicare: “Fifty years ago, President Lynden Johnson signed the Medicare program into law, which has enabled millions of seniors and people with disabilities to receive quality healthcare. As we commemorate this important milestone, it’s critical that we look forward to the…

DelBene Fights for Affordable Over-the-Counter Birth Control

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Tags: Health

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped introduce the Affordability is Access Act, which would ensure women continue to have access to no-cost birth control if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves oral contraception for over-the-counter use. “We’ve made great strides in expanding women’s access to preventative healthcare, including contraception.…

DelBene Supports First Federal Ban on Conversion Therapy

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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped introduce the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, the first federal bill aimed at preventing so-called “conversion therapy.” “Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender don’t need a ‘cure,’ they need equality under the law,” DelBene said. “This legislation is an important step…

DelBene Floor Statement on 20-Week Abortion Ban

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Tags: Health

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) opposed legislation that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with no meaningful exemptions to protect a woman’s health. The bill (H.R. 36) passed the House by a vote of 242-184, and it now heads to the Senate for further consideration. DelBene’s floor speech, as prepared for delivery, follows: “I rise in strong…

DelBene Floor Speech on Anti-Womens Health Resolution

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Tags: Health

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today delivered remarks in opposition to a Republican attempt to allow a woman’s employer to interfere with her healthcare decisions. The District of Columbia recently passed the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment (RHNDA) Act, which would protect women from discrimination in the workplace based on their personal reproductive…

DelBene, Green Introduce Bill to Reduce Asbestos Exposure

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Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Gene Green (TX-29) today introduced the Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act to protect American families and workers from exposure to asbestos. “It’s unacceptable that so many Americans and their families suffer from contact with deadly asbestos. We can and must prevent exposure,” DelBene said. “My legislation will…

DelBene: Women Deserve Accurate Contraception Information

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Tags: Health

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today wrote to insurance carriers with plans on the Washington state healthcare exchange, demanding clarity for women who inquire about what contraceptives are covered at no-cost under their healthcare plans. “I am writing to express my serious concern with recent reports that consumers are receiving inaccurate information regarding the coverage…

DelBene: We Can and Must Do Better for Our Veterans

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SEATTLE – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today attended the groundbreaking of a new VA Puget Sound mental health and research center. “It’s our responsibility to serve and care for our veterans who bravely risked their lives and made painful sacrifices for our families and freedoms,” DelBene said. “The cost of war is high and too many veterans still…

DelBene Statement on House Passage of SGR Repeal and CHIP Extension

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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 2 to repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): “For too long, the SGR has threatened access to care for millions of our seniors and servicemembers. I voted for this bipartisan legislation because it…

DelBene Statement on EPA Grants Awarded to Tribes in Washington State

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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement today, after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded grants to several tribes in Washington state. “I am pleased the EPA has awarded grants to three Washington state tribes – the Lummi Nation, the Upper Skagit Tribe, and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community,” DelBene said. “Fishing is…