Butterfield Applauds Health Insurance Reform Revisions

U.S. Representative G. K. Butterfield

1st District of North Carolina

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For Release:  Immediate

Date:  October 29, 2009

Contact:  Ken Willis
Phone:  (202) 225-3101

Butterfield Applauds Health Insurance Reform Revisions

Washington, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield applauded the revised health insurance reform legislation put forward by the House today.

“The health insurance market is broken and in immediate need of reform,” Butterfield said. “Under the current system, private health insurance companies are increasingly consolidating, finding more ways to stand between patients and their doctors, and focused on boosting profits instead of affordable, quality, patient-focused health care. As a result the number of uninsured Americans has grown to 47 million and premiums have risen over 120 percent in the past decade for those who do have coverage.”

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, released today, blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by House committees in July. It embodies President Obama’s key goals for health reform – it will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect people’s choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, and affordable health care.
The legislation will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will be covered by a quality, affordable health plan. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama. And, according to the CBO estimates, the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over the next 10 years.

Butterfield said the legislation includes critical reforms to the insurance industry, “so that Americans will never again worry about being denied coverage, or that their coverage will be dropped or watered down when they need it most.”

Butterfield also said that he is pleased that the bill includes a public option.

The public exchange would also be open to small businesses staring in 2013, when firms with up to 25 employees could enter the exchange; in 2014, firms with up to 50 employees; in 2015, firms with up to 100 employees; in 2015 and beyond, the Commissioner could allow larger employers as appropriate.

Butterfield said there has been a long and purposeful process in developing the legislation. The House has held about 100 hearings on health care since 2007, and House members have held nearly 3,000 health care events across the country, including Butterfield’s health care town hall meeting held this past August in Rocky Mount, N.C. Additionally, three House committees have spent 160 hours on hearings and markups of health care legislation.

Butterfield also said the bulk of today’s proposal has been available for review and comment for more than three months.

“This has been a deliberative process on an enormous issue in need of immediate action,” Butterfield said.

Butterfield also said that many of the concerns people had about the original House proposal have been addressed in the revised health insurance reform bill. Among the notable changes:

· Reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the next ten years, and continues to reduce the deficit of the second ten years.

· Provides a mechanism for addressing the Medicare payment system that takes geographic differences into account.

· Begins to address the issue of medical malpractice by establishing a state incentive grant program to encourage states to implement alternatives to traditional medical malpractice litigation.

· Allows for the creation of State Health Insurance Compacts by permitting states to enter into agreements to allow for the sale of insurance across state lines when the state legislatures agree.

· Limits any surcharges to millionaires – only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge in order to make health insurance affordable to middle class families.

· Exempts small businesses with payrolls below $500,000 – or 86% of all America’s businesses – from the mandate to provide health insurance.

· Immediately begins to close the Medicare Part D donut hole.

· Requires the HHS Secretary to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries in order to save money

CEO Vacancy – Urban League of Metropolitan Denver

CEO Vacancy – Urban League of Metropolitan Denver

P L E A S E P O S T

October 16, 2009

Affiliate Services Bulletin #6

NUL AFFILIATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VACANCY

URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN DENVER (Denver, Colorado)

President and Chief Executive Officer

Salary Range: $100,000 – $125,000 per annum, commensurate with training and experience

The Urban League of Metropolitan Denver received its affiliation in 1946. The Metropolitan Denver affiliate service area includes approximately 200,000 residents of the 1,000,000+ population, within an eight-county region. The number of Hispanics residing in the area is above the national average. The number of Blacks is below the national average, and the number of Asians and American Indians is near the national average. Approximately 97,809 Blacks reside in the Denver Metro Region. Additional information regarding the Metropolitan Denver affiliate and its service area is available on the web at www.denverurbaneleague.org.

Major corporations in the immediate area include IBM, Lockheed Martin Corporations, US West, MillerCoors, Time Warner Cable, United Airlines, King Soopers, Inc., Norwest Bank Colorado, Samsonite Corporation, AT&T, Safeway Stores, and Gates Corporation. Numerous colleges and universities reside in the metro area such as University of Denver, University of Colorado at Denver, Regis University, and Colorado State University at Denver. On the sports side, there are the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club (number one record for attendance), Denver Broncos Football Club (Super Bowl Champions), Denver Nuggets Basketball Club, Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club, and the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club. On the cultural side, Metropolitan Denver has the Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver Art Museum, Children’s Museum, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the world famous Denver International Airport.

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer:

Ø Directs, plans, and implements overall policies and objectives of the organization in accordance with the national charter and board of directors.

Ø Provide leadership to the organization, administering its functions and operations to ensure the mission and programs are delivered to the community.

Ø Develop, articulate, and communicate a vision for the organization.

Ø In concert with the Board, develops long term strategic and annual operating plans.

Ø Directs financial planning, accounting, budgeting, procurement, staffing, internal and external communication, systems needs, and investment activities for the organization.

Ø Acts as the principle spokesperson, in conjunction with the Board Chairperson, representing the needs and interest of the affiliate in the community.

Ø Networks to identify funding sources to ensure positive impact on the affiliates’ finances such as corporate solicitations; United Way; funding source proposals; annual campaigns; capital campaigns; governmental funding, etc.

Ø Initiates and maintains relationships with staff, board, political, corporate, and community leaders.

Ø Develops and implements systems of internal controls to safeguard organization funds such as: ensuring fiscal accounting and reporting is in accordance with standards of accounting for voluntary non-profit organizations.

Ø Prepares reports or directs preparation of reports summarizing organization’s current and forecasted financial position, business activity, and reports required by regulatory agencies.

Ø Analyze and classifies risks as to frequency and financial impact of risk to the organization.

Ø Determines staff accountability and authority for receipts, disbursement, banking, protection and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.

Ø Analyze past, present, and expected operations.

Ø Reviews financial statements and activity reports to ensure that organization’s objectives are achieved.

Ø Advises the board of economic objectives and policies, investments, and loans for short and long-range financial plans.

Ø Keeps abreast of issues facing the African-American, and minority community.

Urban League of Metropolitan Denver -2- October 16, 2009

The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications, experience factors and professional characteristics:

Ø Bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) with a minimum of five years of successful public administration, business and non- profit management experience.

Ø Knowledge of economic, accounting, and budgeting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Ø Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resources allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.

Ø Knowledge of development and implementation of social service programs, program evaluation, advocacy, public education, board and volunteer relation, and community mobilization and collaboration

Ø Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and democratic political process.

Ø Ability to monitor affiliates’ fiscal administration to ensure accordance with Standards of Accounting for Voluntary Non-Profit Organizations and agencies.

Ø Knowledge of principles and methods of showing, promoting, and selling products and service including fund raising, marketing strategy, tactics, product demonstration, and sales techniques.

Ø Ability to communicate orally and in writing information and ideas so other will understand.

Ø Ability to network on the local, state, and national level to ensure expanded affiliate fundraising and awareness level, including grant and proposal writing experience.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Denver is located in the National Urban League’s Western Region. Mr. Jerome Whitney is Board Chairperson. NOTE: For certification consideration please submit an up-to-date resume to: Jerome Whitney, Urban League of Metropolitan Denver, Inc., 2015 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 on or before November 13, 2009.

URBAN LEAGUE EMPLOYEES WITH AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE WOULD BE A PLUS.

PLEASE NOTE: EACH AFFILIATE HAS SPECIFIC NEED REQUIREMENTS WHICH MAY NOT BE LISTED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Dorothy Millines

Manager

Affiliate Services

212-558-5423

Princeville Candidate For Mayor Says If Elected He Will Legalize Marijuana During Candidates Forum Featuring Princeville and Tarboro

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Candidate Freddie Bell Sr. For Mayor Of Princeville NC

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First of all this makes the third forum that I have attended in which the first two only consisted of Tarboro Town Council candidates.

When I heard about forum number three and Princeville candidates were invited, I knew I could not miss that one because I knew it would be some drama. I know that from attending the Princeville Town Commissioner’s meetings.

It is so damn funny that so many folks who run for an elected office don’t have a clue of what the duties consist of. So during their campaign speeches and etc. they mislead folks about what they will and can do.

Some folks claim they know the roles of the office they are seeking but the majority of them have repeatedly said that the main role is to do what the people want them to do. Not necessarily because their role should be to educate the people about what is going on so they can make an informed decision but hell half the time the elected officers don’t have a clue. At the end of the day the elected officer must listen to the people but also keep in mind that they must vote for what is in the best interest of the people and not solely vote on emotions of the people.

Every elected officer must recognize and understand that they must stay within the policies and procedures.

I am going to share my concerns about the following candidates.

Tarboro Town Council

John Wooten (black male) – I started out trying to follow him however after three forums he has lost me. I don’t know him because he moved to Tarboro recently. I feel he means well but he needs to learn the real role of the office that he is seeking.

Rev. Roy Gray (incumbent) and Taro Knight both black males whom I know too well. Many folks have asked me who do I feel will win this election? I said I believe whichever one that takes the most voters to the polls and they vote for them then that is who will win. But there will be a problem if one candidate takes voters to the poll and they end up voting for the opposite candidate.

However my personal opinion of Gray and Knight is that they are both equal. Knight has been Gray’s campaign manager for many years and up until now he has gone along with everything he has done but for some reason he wants to run against him. I am still asking the question why? They both have worked hard for Senator Clark Jenkins District 3 for several years now and they have gotten paid well. Neither candidate impresses me. I don’t think it will really make a difference which one is elected.

Princeville Commissioners – All black

Mayor

Theresa Richardson sounds very intelligent and very compassionate however I do not know her. I feel she has some experience because she has worked for the town. I believe I would vote for her if I lived in Princeville because I would hold her accountable and would push her to become a seasoned mayor.

Freddie Bell Sr. has no clue and everything he talked about can not be done as mayor and would have to be dealt with on the federal level. Listen to what he has to say. A wasted vote if he votes for himself. LMBAO

Priscilla Everett-Oates (former mayor) has no clue that she is one of the reasons why Princeville has suffered over the past several years.

Mayor Delia Perkins (incumbent) I believe have kept the town together however I have not been impressed with the way she carries out her meetings. I know there is a lot of tension in Princeville especially during their monthly meetings but I believe the meetings could be carried out much differently. During the flood Perkins did not allow the citizens to voice their opinions and they voted her out. With the way the meetings are carried out, I feel that she could be easily voted out again.

One good thing is that Perkins have resources and that goes a long ways when serving in an elected position.

Commissioner

Isabelle Purvis-Andrews (former commissioner) has no clue that she is one of the reasons why Princeville has suffered over the past several years. She and the former mayor Everett-Oates were a team then and still a team now as they have continued to attend the monthly meetings since they both lost their seats. In my opinion the questions and/or comments that they ask of the current commissioners should be addressed to Everett-Oates.

Ann Carney Adams (incumbent)seems to be doing the right thing. She seems to be very compassionate about her role as a commissioner and I feel she holds herself together very well during the meetings.

Purvis-Andrews is challenging Adams.

If I could vote I would vote for Adams.

Calvin Sherrod is seeking to unseat Carolyn Sharpe. Sherrod is a part of the Purvis-Andrews and Everett-Oates team. He too don’t have a clue.

Carolyn Sharpe didn’t attend due to her daughter having surgery.

If I could vote I would vote for Sharpe.

Click on the Picture to Watch Video.

NAACP Mass Meeting: Save Our Diversity, Save Our Schools, Save Our Students

Forwarded per J. Ronald White, President South Central Wake County Branch.

Hurricane Floyd 10 – Year Commemoration Sponsored By The Bynum Mill Road Community Club Pinetops NC by Curmilus Dancy II DCN Publisher

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Congressman G.K. Butterfield (L) Wanda Mayo (R)

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Yes it was, “A Time to Remember Hurricane Floyd Flood 1999.” This was the 2nd commemoration that I have attended within the last 2 months. Like the first event I was not pleased with the way this event turned out. There were plenty of folks present and that was great however plenty of folks and a shabby program do not excite me.

I have an issue with the way the programme was carried out because the program had too many deviations and the real meat of the event was lost.

On the programme was “In Memory of the Mayos” Dr. Evelyn Johnson was suppose to read a letter that was written by Wanda Mayo who lost all of her immediate family which consisted of her father, mother, sister and niece in the flood. Wanda drove down from Maryland where she was living during the flood.

My main concern was that the most important part of the program the “Unveiling of the Memorial Lest We Forget” as stated on the programme would not be lost after the remarks from special guest.

Although it was not stated the day of the event, the beautiful memorial will be placed at the entrance going into the Training Center whereby people can ride by and/or stop by and walk up to it. I invite everyone to come and see this memorial in person.

During the “Unveiling of the Memorial” everyone should have been asked to go over to the memorial especially the family members instead of having to wait until the program was over to see it.

During the remarks I was very much pissed off when my Edgecombe County Public Schools Chair Evelyn Wilson talked about rebuilding a school in Princeville. Damn we were in Pinetops. She never mentioned G. W. Carver Elementary School that was set up for a shelter during the night of the Hurricane Foyd where my family and some others stayed while Hurricane Floyd was happening. The next day those who were trapped in their homes were brought to the school. Since we had someone we could go stay with across from the school we moved on and this made room for some others to stay.

Elder Donnie Atkinson who is a janitor at G. W. Carver Elementary School volunteered to manage the shelter. I bet if Elder Atkinson had been a white man she would have mentioned the school and also recognized him. I am so sick and tired of folks in elected positions whom do not give credit where credit is due.

My Congressman G.K. Butterfield (and I say that proudly) arrived around 1:40 PM and he addressed the group. He did an excellent job as always by bringing us up to date about health care reform. He said that he hope he was not letting the cat out of the bag but they are suppose to vote on the heath care initiative on November 6.

The closing of the program just got way out of control.

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See related:

Video – Flood of the Century (Pinetops, Tarboro, Princeville North Carolina) – September 1999 – Featuring Former Governor Jim Hunt

Video – Flood of the Century Fellowship Preaching and Gospel Singing at the Shelter at G.W. Carver Elementary School September 18, 1999

Hurricane Floyd victims to be remembered

Bynum Farm Road Will be Celebrating the 10th Year Anniversary of Hurricane Floyd Flood

"Can You Hear Us Now!"

Nicholas Green sent a message to the members of North Carolina Youth & College Division.

——————–
Subject: MAKE THIS CALL TODAY!
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY we’re asking that YOU call 1-800-577-1635 to be connected with your congressman and let them know that we as Young African Americans care just as much about our healthcare as everyone else!

1. Call the number above and get connected to your congressman.
2. Use the following script: Hello, my name is ________. I live in [city or town] and I am a voter in your district. I am calling you today in conjunction with the NAACP to urge you to enact real health care reform that includes a public option.
We believe that a public option is the only way to keep insurance companies honest, ensure competition, and provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Thank you.
3. Go to http://www.facebook.com/l/7f1fd;org2.democracyinaction.org/o/2446/t/7550/questionnaire.jsp?questionnaire_KEY=239 and report your call to let us know how it went!
We’re trying to get 88,000 calls nationwide. Let’s get out and invite all our friends in the struggle to call!