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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
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Delegate Ken Plum was honored last week with a "Solid as a Rock for Public Education" award by the Fairfax Education Association and the Virginia Education Association for his advocacy for our public schools and students. Shown presenting the award to Ken is Michael Hairston, President of the Fairfax Education Association. |
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Commentary
Obamacare in Virginia
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Obamacare, into law on March 23, 2010. On the same day Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed the first lawsuit in the nation to challenge the provision in ACA that most individuals be mandated to have health insurance. Eastern District Federal Judge Henry Hudson ruled in December 2010 the individual mandate was unconstitutional because it exceeded congressional powers. The case is now before the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond and is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
At the same time Virginia's Attorney General is fighting ACA in court, Virginia's Governor has set about implementing the new law in the Commonwealth. In a well-documented paper in The Virginia News Letter from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, Jill Hanken who is staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center argues very persuasively as the title of her article implies that "The Affordable Care Act Holds Great Promise for Virginia." (www.coopercenter.org/publications/virginia-newsletter) As pointed out in the article, a commission appointed by Governor McDonnell to evaluate ways to improve the state's system of health care and to recommend ways to comply with ACA stated in its December 2010 report very frankly that "surprising to some and embarrassing to all, Virginia's overall health system performance is actually quite mediocre. To be sure, there are excellent hospitals, physicians, health centers, and innovative health plans that are working hard to effectuate local and statewide improvement. Still, it is hard to be proud of a system in which nearly one million Virginians - and 150,000 children - lack health insurance and timely access to quality care that only it can ensure."
Already under Obamacare, Virginians with preexisting conditions can get affordable care. Insurance companies cannot deny coverage to children with preexisting conditions affecting some 123,000 Virginia children, and in 2014 this provision will extend to adults. Young adults can stay on their parents' health insurance until age 26. Lifetime limits on new health insurance policies are prohibited. Small businesses are able to get tax credits to provide health insurance to their employees. The Commonwealth is receiving more than $50 million in federal funds to implement the new law. Billions more will come to Virginia to expand coverage under Medicaid.
Obamacare through ACA has set off some schizophrenic behavior in Virginia. On the one hand Attorney General Cuccinelli is gaining notoriety in taking on the law in court and seeking to stop it. At the same time the state is taking positive steps to implement the law and extending health insurance and medical care to thousands of Virginians who have been without them. Obamacare truly holds great promise for Virginians. |
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"Virginia Report" on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, June 15 at 10:30 p.m. - Senator Janet Howell and Delegate Ken Plum - "Redistricting, New Laws, the State Budget, and More"
This program will also be shown on Tuesdays, June 21 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays, June 22 and 29, at 10:30 p.m.
Watch for new programming in July and August!
View "Virginia Report" online via video streaming using the following link: www.rctv28.com/shows/studio/community/virginiareport.html
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Ken's Annual State of the Commonwealth Breakfast
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Thanks to all who attended Delgate Ken Plum's State of the Commonwealth Business Breakfast last week. Terry McAuliffe and Ken both spoke to a large crowd about Virginia's economy, jobs, and energy needs.
"I welcome your ideas about these issues and others," said Ken. "Write to me at kenplum@aol.com." |
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Join Me on July 12 at my Re-election Reception with Governor Tim Kaine!
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Announcements
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum was named to the Tahirih Justice Center 2011 Good Fella Honor Roll "in recognition of the important role of men in achieving Justice for Women" (www.tahirih.org). The contributions of Ken and others were recognized at the Tahirih Justice Center's benefit gala on May 25, with honorary co-chairs Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and actor Sam Waterston. Co-Masters of Ceremony were Rainn Wilson and Debra Winger.
The Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic will offer free school physicals by appointment and thorugh walk-ins as available Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Wednesday and Thursdays, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. On Saturday, August 13, the clinic will sponsor a special event providing 100 school and sport physicals for children from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 703.481.8160 or register online at www.jsfreeclinic.org. The August 13 event is sponsored by Care First, Northrop Grumman, and CVS.
The Fairfax County Public Library and the For Love of Country Foundation present the "For Love of Country: In My Own Words" poetry and essay contest. Students in grades seven through nine may submit an essay or poem regarding the topic of public libraries and their ability to enhance community life. Interested students may write an essay or poem on "Public Libraries: Why they make my life better." Original work may be submitted at any library branch or online at at libraryevents@fairfaxcounty.gov; entry period closes on August 22 at 5:00 p.m. Winners will be notified by October 1 and honored at an October Teen Read Week ceremony. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category. For complete rules and entry form, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
There is an online petition in support of formally expanding the current tobacco smoking prohibitions to all outdoor Resotn Association Common Areas. The petition is available at www.PetitionOnline.com/RestonVA/petition.html. Take a look at the petition and sign on if you agree.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recently announced new steps to reduce premiums and make it easier for Americans to enroll in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. Premiums for the Federally-administered Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) will drop as much as 40 percent in 18 States, and eligibility standards will be eased in 23 States and the District of Columbia to ensure more Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable health insurance. The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was created under teh Affordable Care Act and serves as a bridge to 2014 when insurers will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to people with any pre-existing condition, like cancer, diabetes, and asthma. The changes announced will make enrolling in the Federally-administered PCIP easier. Starting July 1 2011, people appying for coverage can simply provide a letter from a doctor, physician assistanc, or nurse practitioner dated within the past 12 months stating that they have or, at any time in the past, had a medical condition, disability, or illness. Applicants will no longer have to wait on an insurance company to send them a denial letter. This option became available to children under age 19 in February, and this pathway is being extended to all applicants regardless of age. Applicants will still need to meet other eligibility criteria, including that they are U.S. citizens or residing in the U.S. legally and that they have been without health coverage for six months. To find a chart showing changes to PCIP premiums in the States with Federally-administered PCIP programs, visit www.HealthCare.gov/news/factsheets/pcip05312011a.html. For more information, including eligibility, plan benefits and rates, as well as informaiton on how to apply, visit www.pcip.gov and click on "Find Your State." Then select your State from a map of the United States or from the drop-down menu. The PCIP Call Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Call toll-free 1-866-717-5826 (TTY 1-866-561-1604). |
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Calendar of Events
The extremely popular "Taste of Reston" will be held Saturday, June 18, noon to 11:00 p.m., at the Reston Town Center. Sample some of the best food in Northern Virginia. Taste of Reston is Northern Virginia's largest outdoor food festival featuring delectable fare from the region's finest eateries, beer and wine gardens, and activities and games at Kids Korner. Stay for music in the pavilion provided by Texas Chainsaw Horns, a blues-based rock band. This event is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Admission and parking are free; taste tickets are $1 each. Advance tickets are available at www.restontaste.com. Attend the annual Antique Car Show at Sully Historic Site on Sunday, June 19, 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This event has been co-sponsored by Fairfax County Park Authority and the Model A Ford Club of America for 38 consecutive years and features foreign and American cars, trucks and specialty vehicles through 1981. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children. Free parking is available on site. More than 400 antique and classic vehicles fill Sully's grounds at the largest car show in Northern Virginia. Included in admission is a guided tour of the first floor of the 1794 home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia's first congressman. Sully is located in Chantilly off Air & Space Museum Parkway East, 1/4 mile north of Route 50, and four miles south of the Dulles Toll Road. Reston Association presents a Washington Nationals Father's Day Baseball Game Trip on Sunday, June 19, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Bus pickup location is at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Fee is $32/Reston Association members; $36/Non-members. All ages are welcome; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Relax and enjoy door-to-door service, traveling on a chartered bus to cheer the Nats to victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The first 20,000 fans will get a Nationals baseball cap. Bring food/drink for the bus ride to and from the ballpark. Seats are behind home plate and under cover. Registration required; all sales final. Registration form is at www.reston.org. Contact Ashleigh@reston.lorg or call 703.435.6577 for more information. The Virginia Offshore Wind Conference will be held on June 22 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Offshore wind is an emerging industry in the United States, and Virginia is poised to become the East Coast capital for offshore wind energy with plentiful offshore winds, a deep water poor, and a skilled and experienced labor force supporting the potential creation of over 10,000 jobs. The opportunity is ripe for Virginia. This conference features over 60 panelists and opportunities for industry leaders, stakeholders, and others to talk face-to-face. Register at www.vawind2011.com.
"Rally for a Cause" men's and women's singles and doubles tennis tournament will be held on June 24-26 at the Lake Newport hard courts. Fee is $35/singles, $40/doubles. Register by June 20 at www.active.com. Proceeds benefit The American Cancer Society.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is initiating an ongoing, system-wide approach to strengthening Virginia's families. This initiative focuses on reducing non-marital births, connecting and reconnecting fathers with their children, and encouraging the formation and maintenance of safe, stable, intact, two-parent families. To learn more about the initiative, attend a Community Leaders Meeting on Thursday, July 28, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Virginia Department of Transportation's District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax 22030. If you plan to participate, register at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SFI_Leaders at least one week prior to the meeting. The game of Bridge is making a resurgence throughout the country, so it's great that this year's Mid-Atlantic 4th of July Bridge Conference will be held in Reston June 28 through July 4 at the Hyatt Regency at Reston Town Center. This is inexpensive and fun entertainment for all levels of bridge players. Learn to play lessons: Tuesday, June 28, 1:30 p.m., $25; more information at shstringer@aol.com. Bridge play Tuesday through Monday at 9:30, 10:30, 1:30, 3:00, and 7:30. For more information contact Tournament Chair Margot Hennings at 703.283.5168 or margot10bridge@cox.net. The full tournament schedule can be found at www.nvba.org/documents/2011regional.pdf. Registration is now open for the Reston Kids Triathlon on Sunday, August 14. This event is for kids and youth ages 6-14 and is hosted by Reston Association and the YMCA Fairfax County Reston. Registration information is at www.restonkidstri.org. Volunteers and sponsors are needed for the overall event as well as for individual triathletes. To be a volunteer or event sponsor, contact Laura Kowalski, Aquatics Manager, at 703.435.6528 or pools@reston.org.
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 Go Green - consider the environment! Please print this newsletter only if necessary. | |
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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