Exclusive: Senate Democrats issue Katrina relief plan

[rawstory]

Advance: Senate Democrats issue relief plan for Katrina

RAW STORY

The following release, prepared by Senate Democratic leadership and acquired by RAW STORY, will go out to the mainstream press Monday afternoon.

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Katrina Relief Plan for Senate Action This Week

Although the Congress last week appropriated $10.5 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Defense Department, it is clear much more will be needed given the enormity of this disaster. While government authorities and others assess the scope of the problem and decide how much additional funding will be needed to address specific problems, there are a number of legislative items the Senate can and should promptly approve that can help Katrina’s victims. After the Senate has completed action on this emergency legislation, we hope the Senate will quickly provide significant new funding, and consider other substantive proposals that could help address short- and medium-term needs. These proposals must be followed by a much broader, long-term effort to rebuild and rehabilitate the Gulf Coast region and substantially improve efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to future disasters.

The following are just some examples of proposals that Senate Democrats believe deserve immediate Senate action this week:

Ensuring health care for all displaced victims

* Immediate access to Medicaid for displaced victims.
* No need to prove residency or assets
* No copayments
* No penalties for failing to sign up for Medicare Part B in time.

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Advance_Senate_Democrats_issue_relief_plan_for_0905.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. thank goodness they are doing something!

And it is positive. It will be interesting to see how the right wing attacks this plan, which I am sure they will.

[Penance]

7. No mystery

They will attack with the usual bullshit: increase in bureaucracy, people taking advantage of the system, blah, blah. It will be the same song and dance they've been using to strip vets of their medical benefits and poor people of their right to vote.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Excellent plan

[bettyellen]

3. very important point they are making- to skip the paperwork that has been

screwing these people from day three or four, when the gubment decided to attempt to do something.
people displaced into shelters were being told to go apply to FEMA in NO. Not funny.

[meganmonkey]

13. The same is happening with emergency food stamp programs

They are waiving all sorts of documentation requirements to facilitate this. Sorry I don't have a link - I received what was essentially a 'talking points memo' at work about it.

[Cha]

18. I don't have a link now but there's

something in Newsweek that said..an official(who should know) said the bushwa were fighting over who is in charge for 3 or 4 days.

[nookiemonster]

4. I've been hard on the Dems, and will continue to be,

but this is a really positive development.

Don't stop!!!!!!!

[applegrove]

5. Bush #s are dropping like water & food from helicopters didn't.

Dems need to shut up and not attack - so Bush cannot make his followers feel sorry for him.

Coming up with plans and working behind the scenes is the way to go.

[nookiemonster]

8. I don't know. I'm starting to waver on that theory.

The RW is already working overtime to cover their asses. There's still alot of apologists out there.

I think we need to speak out, loudly, NOW! The RW has already made it political with the "Don't point fingers" crap.

I just know how they project, and it always leaves us on the defensive.

[belle]

24. Well, I think: first actually *do* something to help the suffering people

as they're apparently trying to do, according to this.

Not only is it the right thing to do, but it tends to put one in a much better position when one finally goes to point fingers.

[Armstead]

6. Good ideas but it'll be buried

Anotehr Democratic laundry list that may get a mention or two but will be overshadowed by Bush's Army of Compassion.

And the GOP has its own "relief" plan that they plan to push. Guess what. Tax breaks for "economic stuimulus" and taking away more of the regulations that "stifle" recovery.

[eauclaireliberal]

9. Oh sure

the funds for NO victims will move at about the same pace as the 9-11 families.

[mcscajun]

10. If only the Dems had control of the Senate...

...or indeed, of Anything.

The very least they can do is hold the Repubs' feet to the fire on every single point of this plan...and yell loud and long when they balk at it.

[Hello_Kitty]

11. How about relief from the Bankruptcy Act too?

Lots of people have lost everything, through no fault of their own, and it will be their only option. Additionally, the insurance companies, who are EXEMPT from the new law can still file bankruptcy and not have to pay out benefits! :grr:

[MaineDem]

12. Democrats will file a new bankruptcy bill, I read

I'll try to find it.

[fedupinBushcountry]

14. A REAL PLAN

:kick:

[castiron]

15. computerize these people:

the plans call for a website to facilitate this and that. How about some plan for non-dial up internet inside the shelters, and FAST. That website's pretty cool: how in hell will evacuees access it? Nothing like the internet for finding work and an apartment.

[liberaliraqvet26]

16. too bad it's getting no MSM coverage....

are you shocked???

[Mass]

17. Excellent news - kick

[Island Blue]

19. Excellent News!

This is the kind of thing we should be posting on DEMOCRATIC Underground instead of all of the name calling and finger pointing in the direction of our fellow Dems. Oh, and I DARE any Senate Repukes to oppose these proposals!

[MasonJar]

20. Those ideas seem very responsive to the situation and quite

necessary. Kudos to the Dems.

[bnr65432]

21. a very good plan

that is why republicans will never go for it

[CityDem]

22. This is a good first step

Good to see our leaders are stepping up to the plate -- unlike the repubs.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. How about some real relief?

Impeach Dumbyass & Co.