Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Health Care
Durbin Announces More than $900,000 in Grant Funding to Improve Illinois Public School Lunches
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service division has awarded a $902,953 grant to help Illinois schools participating in the National School Lunch Program replace outdated equipment with new, energy-efficient appliances. In Illinois, over 4,300 schools participate in the National School Lunch Program, feeding over 1.1 million children every day. USDA will give funding priority for … Continue Reading
January 05, 2010
Durbin: Senate-Passed Health Care Bill Provides Quality, Affordable Coverage for Additional 1.1 Million Illinoisans
[CHICAGO, IL] - Nearly 1.1 million uninsured Illinoisans and 30 million people across the nation are on track to gain access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage as a result of the historic reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate last month, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was approved by the Senate in a vote of 60-39 on December 24th. The Senate bill builds on what works in our current system and takes the necessary steps to … Continue Reading
December 24, 2009
Durbin Statement on the Senate Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by a vote of 60 -39. "For centuries, during this time of year, people would gather with their family and friends, light a candle and look for signs of hope. This morning's vote in the United States Senate lit a candle of hope for millions of Americans who went to bed last night without the protection of … Continue Reading
December 24, 2009
Durbin Legislation to Expand Congenital Heart Disease Research Included in Senate Health Care Legislation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that portions of his bipartisan legislation to increase awareness, education and research into congenital heart disease - a rapidly growing national health problem. The Congenital Heart Futures Act aims to prevent premature death and disability and increase the quality of life for the nearly 1.8 million people in the United States living with congenital heart disease. Durbin introduced the … Continue Reading
December 21, 2009
Durbin Discusses Historic Health Care Vote on the Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today on the floor of the United States Senate about the need for health care reform. Durbin cited the rapidly rising cost of health insurance as reason the current system is in need of reform. "I think when the history of the United States senate is written, this vote will be included, because it is a historic vote," said Durbin. "We considered many issues in the United States Senate of great importance to … Continue Reading
December 14, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves Official Naming of Lovell Federal Health Care Center
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that his language to officially name the Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago after Captain James A. Lovell was approved by the full Congress last night. The legislation was approved as part of the FY2010 Omnibus spending bill which has been sent to the President for his signature. "This is a great honor for a true American hero," said Durbin. "The story of Apollo 13 has been told many times, as a … Continue Reading
December 14, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves Legislation Designed to Attract Medical Professionals to Rural VA Hospitalss
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his legislation to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recruit and retain high-quality healthcare administrators and providers in rural areas was approved by Congress last night. The legislation was approved as part of the FY2010 Omnibus spending bill which has been sent to the President for his signature. "The care and well-being of our nation's veterans is of paramount importance to … Continue Reading
December 13, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $126 Million in Funding For Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the final Omnibus spending bill which includes $126,432,544 in funding for several Illinois projects was approved by Congress. The bill will then go to the President for his signature. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($9,304,744): Today's legislation includes over $9.3 million in funding to advance the Circle line project in Chicago; expand capacity along the Chicago Transit Authority … Continue Reading
December 10, 2009
Durbin, Illinois Delegation to Meet with VA Secretary on Tuesday
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation is scheduled to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Eric Shinseki, on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 to discuss the findings of the high level Quality Management team that was sent to the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois last month. A recent report by the VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) revealed that leadership at … Continue Reading
December 09, 2009
Durbin: Committee Recommends More Than $126 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the final Omnibus Appropriations Act which includes $126,432,544 in funding for several Illinois projects was approved by a joint House and Senate Conference Committee of which Durbin is a member. The House and Senate are expected to take up and pass the legislation before the end of the year. The bill will then go to the President for his signature. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT … Continue Reading
December 09, 2009
Durbin Announces Over $21 Million for Community Health Centers in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that four community health centers in Illinois will receive $21,847,551 in grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Facility Investment Program grants, allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are one-time grants to help support major construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers across the country and assist networks at the … Continue Reading
November 21, 2009
Durbin: Historic Debate Begins on Health Care Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the United States Senate, by a vote of 60 - 39, agreed to begin debate on The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: "Tonight the Senate voted to open one of the most important debates in its history. For the first time we will squarely face the health care crises American families face every day. We need to bring down costs; give families a fighting chance against … Continue Reading
November 20, 2009
Durbin Statement on Senator Lincoln
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today following press reports that imply that Sen. Blanche Lincoln has disclosed to Senate Leadership how she intends to vote on the motion to proceed to invoke cloture on the Senate health reform bill: "In a conversation with reporters earlier today, some of my remarks regarding Senator Lincoln were unclear and have been incorrectly interpreted. Let me be clear: Senator Lincoln has had a number of … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009
Durbin Legislation Designed to Attract Medical Professionals to Rural VA Hospitals Approved by Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his legislation to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recruit and retain high-quality healthcare administrators and providers in rural areas was approved by the United States Senate late last night. Durbin's legislation was added as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which will now go to a Conference Committee. "Last week, … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009
Durbin Food Safety Bill Clears Senate Committee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that his FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) and now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Durbin's bill will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authorities, tools and resources to comprehensively reform the nation's food safety systems. "Every year, 76 million Americans suffer from a … Continue Reading
November 17, 2009
Durbin Legislation to Officially Name Lovell Federal Health Care Center Approved by Senate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that his language to officially name the Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago after Captain James A. Lovell was approved by the United States Senate earlier today. Durbin's legislation was added late last night as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which will now go to a Conference Committee. "While the intent to name the facility after … Continue Reading
November 09, 2009
Following Meeting with the VA Inspector General, Durbin Offers Amendment Designed to Attract Medical Professionals to Rural VA Hospitals
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a meeting with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), George Opfer, and the Assistant Inspector General (IG) for Healthcare Inspections, Dr. John Daigh, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today offered an amendment to the Military Construction Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations bill that would help VA recruit and retain high-quality healthcare administrators and providers in rural areas. Representatives from the Offices … Continue Reading
November 06, 2009
Durbin and Illinois Delegation Members to Meet With VA Inspector General on Monday
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation will meet with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), George Opfer, and the Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections, Dr. John Daigh, on Monday afternoon in Durbin's Capitol office to discuss the unacceptable standards and treatment of veterans found by the Inspector General at the Marion VA Medical Center. On November 3, Durbin … Continue Reading
November 04, 2009
VA Secretary to Delegation: Correcting Marion VA Failures is a Department Priority
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, today assured members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation that correcting the failures at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois identified in a report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is a priority for the VA and a high level Quality Management team will be sent to the facility to assess the need for further action. Shinseki vowed to report back to the Illinois Delegation … Continue Reading
November 02, 2009
Durbin, Burris, Costello, Shimkus: VA Management Must Be Held Accountable for Failures at Marion Facility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Calling the recent findings of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) "appalling" and "inexcusable", U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roland Burris (D-IL) and Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) today pledged to hold the VA accountable for the failure of leadership at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois to meet VA patient safety and quality care guidelines. In a sharply worded letter, the Illinois … Continue Reading