Stephen F. Lynch - 9th District of Massachusetts Home Page

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Lynch Participates in Hearing to Discuss 9/11 Commission Recommendations on Intelligence Reform

On August 3, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch participated in a special hearing of the Committee on Government Reform to consider the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. At the hearing, 9/11 commissioners John Lehman and Bob Kerrey testified regarding their proposals for reforming the intelligence services, creating a National Intelligence Director, and other measures that would help protect the nation from terrorism. "The Commission has given us a shining example of what bipartisanship can accomplish," said Lynch. "We must dedicate ourselves to devising a national counterterrorism policy that truly promotes information-sharing, cooperation, and above all accountability among our nation's intelligence agencies." Click here to read the 9/11 Commission Report online, or to read Congressman Lynch's full statement.

Congressman Lynch Introduces "Rail Transit Safety and Security Act of 2004"

On June 2, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch introduced the "Rail Transit Safety and Security Act of 2004," legislation to fund comprehensive improvements to our rail and transit security. This legislation followed on suggestions offered to Congressman Lynch during an April Northeast Rail Security Summit meeting in Boston, during which security experts, rail union representatives and rail system leaders offered their advice on how to improve rail security. “The Madrid bombings on March 11th that took the lives of more than 200 people should serve as a wake-up call for many of us,” said Congressman Lynch. “But the fact is that between 1997 and 2000, there were more than 195 attacks on transit systems around the world. We cannot afford to leave America’s rails vulnerable to attack.” Click here to read a more about this legislation.

Congressman Lynch Pledges to Fight Proposal to Close Four Boston-area Veterans' Hospitals

On February 13, the Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission released a report that called for a feasibility study into building a single medical facility in Boston that would consolidate services now offered at VA facilities in Brockton, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and at the Bedford Veterans Affairs hospital. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch vowed to fight the proposal, saying, "To abandon those facilities and their health care specialties and force Massachusetts veterans and their families to make longer trips back-and-forth to the hospital amounts to a broken promise to every man and woman in uniform." Read Congressman Lynch's full statement.

Congressman Lynch Opposes Republican Medicare Plan that Hurts Seniors, Provides Inadequate Drug Benefit

On November 22, 2003, Congressman Lynch voted against a Medicare Reform bill advanced by the Republican leadership of the Congress, which would fail to provide a meaningful prescription drug benefit to seniors while beginning a slide toward Medicare privatization. "Seniors are clamoring for a prescription drug benefit that is universal, controls pricing, and preserves the choices they have always had under traditional Medicare," said Lynch. "Instead ... we now have a bill that at its heart is an attempt to dismantle Medicare as we know it." Read Congressman Lynch's speech for more information on the Medicare Reform bill.

Lynch Co-Founds New Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus

In September Congressman Lynch joined with Representatives Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) to found and organize the new Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus, which will focus on advancing a pro-working family agenda in the Congress. Already 76 members of Congress have joined the caucus, which will hold regular meetings to help shape and advance the debate about legislation affecting families in the Ninth District and across the country. To learn more about how the Caucus is helping working families, visit the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus website.

Congressman Lynch Introduces Legislation to Improve Safety, Quality of Veterans' Health Care

Congressman Lynch joined with Congressman Jack Quinn (R-NY) in kicking off National Nurses Week by introducing the VA Medical Workforce Improvement Act of 2003. This legislation would help ease the current staffing crisis at Veterans Hospitals and Medical Centers across the country and improve working conditions for medical personnel. "The VA provides some of the highest quality health care in the nation," Congressman Lynch said. "The problem is we're putting the lives of veterans at risk by inadequately staffing VA hospitals." The bill would increase staffing levels, reduce nurse burnout, and thereby enhance safety. Click here to read more about the VA Medical Workforce Improvement Act.

News You Can Use:
Medicare Drug Discounts

If you are enrolled in Medicare, you can now sign up for a Medicare-approved drug discount card. If you have a limited income, you may also be eligible for a special $600 drug credit for 2005. To find out more about the Medicare drug benefit and how it may help you, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit the Medicare website.

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