Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare
In his first term in Congress, Peter Roskam brought back over $2.7 million in federal funding to expand affordable, accessible, quality health care across his district.
- $190,000 for Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, the only designated Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital in DuPage County, to expand their Emergency Department to create the “No-Wait” Emergency Department.
- $650,000 grant for Access Community Health Center to open a new health center in Addison for the uninsured and underinsured.
- $97,000 for Midwestern University’s Advanced Career Explorers Program which addresses the Midwest’s pharmacist shortage by providing pharmacy job and education training to high school and community college students.
Medicare
“A vocal supporter of Medicare, Roskam criticized Democrats for voting to cut its funding while giving benefits to illegal immigrants. ‘He’s fighting for Medicare,’ Studebaker said. ‘He’s an advocate for the elderly. He’s accessible, and he’s not just a listening ear. He’s out there doing things.”’ - Liberty Suburban Newspaper, 8/9/07
Since coming to Congress, Peter Roskam has been a strong supporter of working to ensure the Medicare program remains viable for future generations.
For the second year in a row, Medicare has exceeded 45% of the government’s general revenue funds. At this pace, Medicare funds will soon increase to more than workers’ earnings and the economy overall. If we do nothing to fix this problem, there may not be any money left for those younger than 54 years of age.
Another important component in the Medicare program is the Medicare reimbursement program for physicians. Each year the Administration proposes cuts to reimbursements for physicians - this unfairly impacts doctors while we work to return stability to our entitlement programs. Roskam does not believe it is fair to ask those who save lives to shoulder the bulk of the cost cutting required to keep medicine solvent for the next generation.
- Supported increasing Medicare physician payment rates in 2008 and 2009
- Voted to override the President's veto of H.R. 6331, which stopped the 10.6% cut in Medicare reimbursements
Roskam remains committed to ensuring that physicians receive fair compensation under Medicare and that seniors have access to the quality, affordable care they deserve.
Breast Cancer
In his first term in Congress, Roskam secured $243,000 to expand health care programs for low income women in our community.
Roskam also supported increased funding of the DOD Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program which has attracted more than 18,000 research proposals.
- More than $1.5 billion in research funding to date
Additionally, Roskam cosponsored of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act which creates a national strategy to conduct research into the possible links between breast cancer and the environment with funding of more than $40 million per year.
Nursing Education
During his first term, Congressman Roskam supported increased funding for nurse education retention programs so that educational institutions such as the College of DuPage will be able to access funding to expand its’ nursing education program to address our nursing shortage needs.
Additionally, Congress Roskam brought back $97,000 for Midwestern University’s Advanced Career Explorers Program in Downers Grove which also addresses the Midwest’s pharmacist shortage by providing pharmacy job and education training to high school and community college students.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice and the continuing rise of malpractice insurance threaten our local physicians, pushing many out of business.
To ensure quality care health care and access to the very best physicians, Congressman Roskam partnered in introducing the Help, Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare Act. This legislation proposes a $250,000 cap on non-economic or "pain and suffering" damages.
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