Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Health Care
Durbin, Bean: North Chicago Health Center Legislation Signed into Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) announced that the language necessary to complete the merger of the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes was signed into law today by President Obama. "Soon, quality medical care will be available under one roof for veterans, servicemembers and their families in and around North Chicago," said Durbin. "Joining a VA Medical Center with … Continue Reading
October 28, 2009
Durbin Legislation to Provide Support to Families of Severly Disabled Service Members Signed into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that his legislation to increase access to compensation for catastrophically injured service members who require assistance in everyday living was signed into law today by President Obama as part of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation - co-sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) - improved a limited Defense Department proposal to better assist families who need financial assistance as … Continue Reading
October 26, 2009
Durbin Statement on the Public Option
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today made the following statement regarding the news that the Senate health care bill will include a public option: "For weeks, Majority Leader Harry Reid has worked to forge an important consensus within our Caucus and with the White House in support of a public health insurance option. Because of his efforts, today we are within reach of an historic achievement -- providing access to health care for every American family. The opt-out … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
Durbin Statement on the Urgent Need for Food Safety Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered the following statement today at a hearing on state of the nation's food safety systems. Durbin is the author of the bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510), a bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration new authorities, tools and resources to comprehensively reform the way we ensure the safety of our food supply. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin HELP Committee Hearing on … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
Durbin, Bean: North Chicago Health Center Legislation Approved by Congress Awaiting President's Signature
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) today announced that the language necessary to complete the merger of the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes has cleared the final major legislative hurdle. Earlier today, the Senate passed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 68-29 giving authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly … Continue Reading
October 20, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves $1 Million for Chicago Emergency Center
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $1 million for upgrades to the Emergency Operations Center in Chicago. The legislation will now go to President Obama for his signature. The 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes funding for the following project: • Emergency Operations System, Chicago: $1,000,000 in funding for computer systems upgrades and capital improvements to the … Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Durbin, Bean: Lovell Health Center Legislation Nears Full Congressional Approval
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) today announced that the language necessary to complete the James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center has cleared a major legislative hurdle. Earlier today the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 281-146 the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act giving authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate the new Federal Health Care Center. … Continue Reading
September 29, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Implement Electronic Health Records
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,496,671 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Illinois health networks to implement electronic health records. The HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $27.8 million in Recovery Act funding to health centers nationwide for implementation of electronic health records and other health … Continue Reading
September 16, 2009
Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Agricultural Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a meeting with representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss climate change, food safety and renewable fuels. During the discussion, Durbin stressed the importance of passing climate legislation that benefits farmers. He listened to the questions and concerns from Illinois Farm Bureau members regarding climate change legislation in the House of Representatives and spoke about the current state of negotiations in the … Continue Reading
September 15, 2009
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Mental Health in US Prisons
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing on "Human Rights at Home: Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons and Jails," today before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. The hearing, which focused on the high rate of mental illness among U.S. prisoners, was the Subcommittee's first hearing examining a domestic human rights issue. "Mental illness has been criminalized in our country over the last thirty years," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
September 10, 2009
Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $52 Million in Defense Funding for Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $52,000,000 in federal funding to assist defense related facilities and projects across Illinois. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 defense spending bill includes funding for the following projects: • Columbia College Chicago, Chicago. $2,000,000 in funding for the Construct Program at Columbia College Chicago, which will … Continue Reading
September 09, 2009
Durbin Reaction to President Obama's Address on Health Care Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement tonight following President Obama's joint address to Congress on health care reform: "Tonight the President laid out a clear plan to provide stability and security for those with health insurance and access to quality care for those who don't." "Months of delay and distortion have come to an end. For those interested in bringing new ideas to the table - the President has said … Continue Reading
September 09, 2009
Durbin Welcomes Springfield Doctor as Special Guest to Joint Session of Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his guest for tonight's address by President Obama to a Joint Session of Congress will be Springfield resident and member of the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Dr. Janet Albers. Durbin, a member of the Senate Escort Committee, will meet with his guest prior to the joint session. "I am honored to welcome Dr. Albers as my guest to tonight's Joint Session of Congress," … Continue Reading
August 17, 2009
Durbin Announces $1.5 Million in Continuing Grants for Illinois Drug-Free Community Coalitions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that 14 Illinois communities would receive continuing grants as part of the Drug-Free Communities program. The grants, totaling approximately $1.5 million will assist local community coalitions as they work to prevent and reduce youth substance use. The Drug-Free Communities Support (DFC) program is directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The DFC program provides coalition … Continue Reading
August 14, 2009
Durbin Announces $12.2 Million in Byrne Grants Funding for Illinois Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the state of Illinois has been awarded $12,212,026 in funding for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. Byrne grants are often used by state and local governments for programs dealing with drug prevention and enforcement, law enforcement information sharing, and combating gangs. The Byrne grant program, administered by Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states and local … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure Anesthesia and Surgical Services in Rural Areas are Covered
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation late last night that would allow services provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to be reimbursed by Medicare. The Rural Access to Nurse Anesthesia Services Act would close existing loopholes to guarantee anesthesiology cost reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals and enable these hospitals to continue to provide surgical services to residents in rural areas. "In my … Continue Reading
August 04, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves Nearly $8.5 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate has approved $8,478,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Corporation (BRDC), Peoria. $3,500,000 in funding to facilitate the … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves $5.2 Million in Health and Education Projects for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $5.2 million in federal funding for health and education projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects: • Alivio Medical Center, Cicero: $500,000 in funding for … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin Announces $37 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Community Health Centers in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that 36 community health centers in Illinois will receive $ 37,435,380 in grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Capital Improvement Grants (CIP) grants, allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will support the construction, repair and renovation of health centers nationwide as well as allow health centers to purchase new health information … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves More Than $111 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Senate has approved $111,037,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects: Army Corps of Engineers: • Carlyle Lake, Carlyle. $5,171,000 in funding for operations and maintenance at Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, with over 26,000 acres of water and 11,000 acres of … Continue Reading