ata
2008-06-17 18:23:17
Two Fishermen’s Health Care bills (S. 2630 and H.R. 5404) are currently making the rounds in Congress. We are hoping for a hearing this summer. ATA has worked with Commercial Fishermen of America and United Fishermen of Alaska to secure this legislation. It is not the end all, and access to affordable healthcare will likely take an array of options. But at least this is a start at providing the states with an option to provide healthcare programs for the fishing industry. The bills are modeled off a plan in Massachusettes, where fishermen report it's working well.
All of Alaska's congressional delegation are co-sponsoring the bill. We're still weak in the WA, OR, and CA department. So, if you reside outside of Alaska, and do not see your congress person below, please consider making a call or sending an email urging them to sign on to the bill.
Most congressman have websites than can easily be searched out by their names alone. And, more often than not, they provide an area where constituents can submit comments online. Please do so before you leave the dock this summer!
Thanks!
Dale, ATA
Current Senate sponsors:
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] - 6/11/2008
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] - 4/29/2008
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 5/7/2008
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 2/13/2008
Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] - 4/29/2008
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 5/7/2008
Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] - 2/13/2008
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 4/22/2008
Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] - 2/13/2008
House co-sponsors:
Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 6/12/2008
Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] - 2/13/2008
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 4/3/2008
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 2/13/2008
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 4/22/2008
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/30/2008
Rep Gilchrest, Wayne T. [MD-1] - 2/13/2008
Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] - 4/30/2008
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 2/13/2008
Rep Lampson, Nick [TX-22] - 6/11/2008
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] - 5/22/2008
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 4/29/2008
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 6/3/2008
Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] - 6/4/2008
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] - 6/3/2008
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 6/3/2008
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 2/13/2008
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] - 4/17/2008
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/24/2008
Rep Young, Don [AK] - 2/13/2008