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Politics

Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio Want to Create a National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters

September 20, 2017 - 9:15am

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Florida’s two U.S. senators--Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio--are calling for creating a new federal committee to tackle how to “better prepare and care for our nation’s seniors during a disaster.”

Pointing to the deaths of eight seniors in Hollywood nursing home during the hurricane earlier this month, Nelson and Rubio teamed up with U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Penn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Tuesday to introduce a bill creating a national advisory committee on the matter. 

The bill makes the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Department create a National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters. Under the proposal, the HHS secretary would name 15 federal and other governmental officials and health-care professionals with experience in disaster response to the committee. 

Nelson introduced the bill and weighed in on why he brought it out. 

“What happened in Hollywood is inexcusable,” Nelson said on Tuesday. “This bill will require the head of HHS to appoint a panel of experts to provide our state and local leaders with the guidance they need to make sure such a tragedy never happens again.”

Rubio, who is co-sponsoring the legislation, also made the case for why the committee was needed. 

“Not only has the tragedy in Hollywood left wounds across the state of Florida, but it has exposed other examples of potential mismanagement at assisted living facilities in the state,” said Rubio. “This bill is a necessary step in preventing similar tragedies in the future and ensuring Florida’s seniors are taken care of during natural disasters.”

The bill was sent over to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Tuesday. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. House. 

 


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Comments

Little Marco and old man Bill have numbered days. In popularity alone, Scott easily beats him in any election! I cannot tell you how many times I've requested assistance from Nelson and Posey, only to get there notes of encouragement and by the time anyone reaches the end of their notes, you're more confused than ever. Bottom line was; NO HELP!

Glad 2018 is around the corner ...Will get RID of those 2 Fools.....Jumping on a Political Band wagon on a REAL mis fortune for the Nursing Home Victims...Just toget Votes......You want VOTES...DO YOUR JOB...Get rid Obama Care....Lower Taxes for Mid Class....Build the Wall (pass Funding Bill).....DO WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED FOR ..The Voice of the People...Nelly Billy...& Lil Marco.....STOP POLITICS & DO YOUR JOB.....

That's exactly what we need. Another Federal Committee. Not everything is always perfect. Altho that nursing home did seem to be a fed money scam center. But we have people that are supposed to inspect these things.

Studies waste time and money! Additionally, it seems like every time the government tries to fix something for the entire nation .....it fails. One size doesn't fit all! States and regions should develop answers NOT the feds. Finally, there is something about families and community coming together to help which the federal government has done a great job in destroying through the nanny programs providing avenues for people to relinquish RESPONSIBILITY.

Study all you want. The US Senate bill Graham Cassidy (GOP is about to try to pass). will cut Medicaid to Florida that has a large elderly population. Senator Marco Rubio is in lock step with the GOP to do this. Total hypocracy to say you are concerned about seniors and cut the funding that pays for their very livelihod in nursing homes all over Florida and the US. 50% of all of Florida's children are on some form of Medicaid. Outrageous. You better wake up Florida. Your parents, grandparents and children are at stake. When people lose coverage our employer based health insurance premiums are going to rise.

And, Julia, 50% of your 50% are NOT even residents of Florida. MOST are either illegal or worse. Besides, Medicare is working quite well and will continue to do so because those of us working for a living have paid for it! "Employer based health insurance premiums are going to rise" is a very safe statement. They're going to rise, from a nickel and up, because the insurance industry raises their rates each and every year. The GOP is merely putting the plug on cheaters and criminals. I paid for mine, how about you?

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