From: Caren.Bryant
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:19 AM
To: 'Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov'
Subject: RE: Message From Senator Durbin
Importance: High

My contact w/you, Senator Durbin, was less about the health plans and more about getting diabetes education given by certified diabetes educators reimbursed by insurance providers along with Medicare and Public Aid. We have millions of people who need education to stop the progress to Type 2 Diabetes, but it isn’t covered by many, if any insurance or government programs. Further, reimbursement to nurses who work as diabetes educators is not reimbursable unless that nurse is working under physically present guidance of a physician. Certification means we are trained to provide the appropriate education to people at risk and who have diabetes. We want to be proactive about the disease process. We want to hold off the complications poor management brings about. Complications, also known as chronic diseases and conditions, drain our insurance dollars.

Having affordable health coverage is a big deal. But, being able to use the health coverage to its fullest advantage for the insured is a bigger deal and should be the goal.

Thank you for your time,
Caren

Endocrinology--Courtesy, Care, Commitment--Our Formula for Excellence
Caren K. Bryant, RN, BSN
Endocrinology Department
217-383-3490
602 W. University Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801-2594
________________________________________
From: Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov [mailto:Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:29 AM
To: Caren.Bryant
Subject: Message From Senator Durbin




January 15, 2008



Ms. Caren Bryant
1023 Saint Andrews Cir
Rantoul, IL 61866


Dear Ms. Bryant:

Thank you for contacting me to share your opposition to association health plans.

I share your interest in this issue. Throughout Illinois, whether I am talking to employers or employees, I hear concerns about the affordability of health insurance. I proposed legislation in 1997, and again in 1999, to make health insurance premiums fully tax deductible for the self-employed. My legislation was fully implemented in 2003. I am also working to expand health insurance options and affordability for small businesses and their employees.

For the last several years, Senator Lincoln of Arkansas and I have been working for passage of the Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act, which would expand the range of options available to small businesses and consumers in the health care marketplace by giving non-government employees the kind of flexibility and choice that members of Congress and federal government workers currently enjoy. The measure is based on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which provides a choice of health plans, the savings that come with group purchasing, comprehensive benefits, and open enrollment periods. Under our bill, the self-employed and employees of small businesses would be eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan similar to those offered to members of Congress. Small businesses willing to contribute a fair share of the cost of their employees' health insurance would be able to offer coverage to their employees through this program with tax credits to help them afford the cost for low-paid employees.

Earlier this year, Senator Vitter from Louisiana and Senator Thune from South Dakota proposed an amendment to the Fair Minimum Wage bill (H.R. 2) which would have created association health plans (AHPs). I am pleased that this amendment was not brought to a vote. While I am not opposed to the idea of small businesses joining together through their associations to offer affordable health insurance to their employees, proposals in previous Congresses to create AHPs have had serious flaws.

It is important that all Americans have access to affordable health care. I will continue to keep your concerns in mind as I work to provide insurance options to the self-employed, small businesses, and their employees.

Thank you again for your message.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/ns

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.

HELP OUR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ALL OVER WE NEED FOSTER CARE REFORM TO STOP THESE KIDS FROM BEING RAPED AND BEING USED AS SEX TOYS IN 2008! THE POOR PROPLE'S CAMPAIGN INC MR JERRY ROBINSON TIME TO STAND UP IN 2008 !!

HELP OUR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ALL OVER WE NEED FOSTER CARE REFORM TO STOP THESE KIDS FROM BEING RAPED AND BEING USED AS SEX TOYS IN 2008! THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN INC MR JERRY ROBINSON TIME TO STAND UP IN 2008 !!

HELP OUR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ALL OVER WE NEED FOSTER CARE REFORM TO STOP THESE KIDS FROM BEING RAPED AND BEING USED AS SEX TOYS IN 2008! THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN INC MR JERRY ROBINSON TIME TO STAND UP IN 2008 !!
WE MUST AN WILL STOP BILL HR 1955 AND S BILL 1959 MY PEOPLE STAND UP !!!!!!!!!!!

What happens when the jobs are gone people are lined up for miles at soup kitchens , bread is rationed because of high wheat prices? Sounds like a depression to me..

Mr. Durbin: I suggest you read your oath of office again. The oath you took you sure haven't taken it to heart very much. It says you are supposed to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies,foreign and domestic. So why in hell have we still got open borders and ports after all these years after 9/11. The American people should be your top and utmost priority not the illegal aliens. Everytime you side with the illegal aliens you're slapping the American people in the face.
Mad as hell in Illinois

help the homeless get food and cute abercrombie clothes to wear on the streets of Illinois. seriously ive never even heard of you which means you're not doing anything.

Sincerly,
Pissed off.

Mr. Durbin,
Thou shalt help the individuals in Iraq. They are suffering and if each state gives the help we need, we can all bond together and succeed. I hope you are realizing this current issue is a voluptious matter that needs to be recognized. Thank you for your time, much apprecciated. I would really enjoy having coffee with you sometime to discuss this matter.

Sincerely,
...me.

we hope the next year is better than the last for female vets http://www.Diane-and-friends.com

When the 1st bailout was being voted on i was praying it would not pass. Was a sad day i thought when it did. Now were in a real mess. For 4 months now everyone is saying one of the main problems is the housing and to date government fails to do anything, and still nothing in the stimulus package. PLEASE VOTE NO on this package. what person in their right mind would vote yes on something they haven't had time to review in its entirey. 1500 pages as of midnite last nite? Fish hatcheries, mice, to name a few is not something that is going to stimululate the economy or help people except fish and mice. I have review what i can of the pacage online. And it's the federal government that is getting a BIG piece of the big on this package.

Please consider this. Pretend this is your money! Would you be willing to invest or spend your money on something you have not researched in it's entirety or are you going to just take people's word for it.

I have not been happy with the way you have voted for the people in illinois. Our state has gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to politians. Every time you turn around someone is being investigated, indicted, arrested or impeached. So please look out for the people in illinois.

And do you really want your kids or grandkids to pay for this? Please vote your conscience not what your party tells or wants you too.

Thank you Sen Durbin, you are the best!

According to World Health organization 30 45 million people in Africa depend on fish for their livelihood. Fish is an indispensible source of micronutrients such as Iron, Iodine, calcium, Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin B African countries need. Asian carp may be the solution. Asian carp may be a blessing to 3rd world countries.

Asian Carp Fish, Inc a Minnesota based company can help with the control of Asian Carp. The state provides the funds to commercially harvest and process the fish. We provide storage and transportation to Africa and 3rd world countries. Lots of starving people in Africa and 3rd world countries will be too happy to eat the fish. Create employment and economic growth. Our contact information

763-843-5550.
Tony Nagberi- Minnesota

Please vote Aye on the Federal Reserve Transparency Act (H.R. 1207)!

If you care about those that you represent you will vote no on the health care package. I beg you to please vote no. I have watched and listened to you in hearings and you do not represent yourself as being for the people. Time after time the people have told you what they what but you ignore us and vote what the others do in your party. I am not against everyone having health care, but wouldn't it make more sense to devise a plan for only those that DO NOT have coverage instead of trying to reinvent the wheel and destroying what we have? And then you all want to take more away from medicare, i would think the government would try and fix medicare 1st.

Please take the time and read HR 3200 and listen to your constituents!

I have tried to contact the senator quite a few times. The only response I received was on the bailout. His form letter said that while he valued my opinion (yada,yada,yada)...he voted how HE THOUGHT BEST FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS. How condescending and arrogant. The majority of his constituents said no. AND WE ARE NOW SAYING NO on the healthcare debacle. The senator disregards his constituents and focuses on his PARTY'S power. He refuses to take his oath seriously. We, the people, should vote NO on Senator Durbin.

Mad in Illinois

dona - you do not speak for me or the majority of Sen. Durbin's constituents. The majority of people in this country want health reform, including a strong public option. Personally, I would like to see single payer enacted but I will compromise for a strong public option. I appreciate all the Senator has done for the state and the country and ask that he continue to fight for real health reform.

Mister Senator,
I have one question for you. The H.R.45 - Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. What are your thoughts on this bill? Will be become as the citizens of Australia, China, Malaysia, and other countries? Will we not have the right to defend our self without having to submit to the government saying if we can or cannot have a gun and then be taxed on each gun. This bill only puts more illegal guns out on the street and puts the law abiding citizens in more danger as that we would not be able to have protection of our home and property. Some people can’t afford the taxes we are forced to pay now. Then if this bill passes we will be taxed on our right to bear arms. Where will this all end?
Don Ramsey

I would like to know why the Senate is sitting on the unemployment extension. Bill hr.3548 went through the House very fast. They even moved the voting up a day to vote on it. It is like the bill went to the Senate to die. We are not hearing anything about it. Please go to Washingtonwatch.com and see what the country is saying about the bill. It is an eye opener. People are starting to contact the news media instead of the Congressmen. Maybe there will be some action on this. Please ask the other Senators to act on this bill. It is considered an emergency bill. Healthcare is not the only important issue this country is facing

** POORER AMERICAN ACTIVE DUTY U.S. MILITARY AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE RISKING AND LOSING THEIR LIVES FOR ALL OF US ~ HAVE FAMILIES BACK HOME WHO ARE ALSO DYING WITHOUT HEALTH*CARE **
~ PRESIDENT OBAMA AND U.S. SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE OF MAINE BOTH KNOW THAT ANY FUTURE HEALTH*CARE PLAN FOR OUR NEW AMERICA NEEDS TO ALSO ENCOMPASS ALL FAMILY MEMBERS(PARENTS & SIBLINGS) OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS...ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE UN*AMERICAN ~
**JUST MAYBE AMERICA NEEDS A FEW MORE REVOLVING DOORS IN OUR U.S. CONGRESS **
OUR COUNTRY COULD REALLY USE MANY MORE SINCERE AMERICANS LIKE THIS SPECIAL U.S.SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE FROM MAINE WHO CONSIDERS THIS COUNTRIES 45 MILLION POOR AMERICAN MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITHOUT PROPER HEALTH CARE LIKE HER OWN FAMILY AHEAD OF HER ELECTED POLITICAL FAMILY **
45 MILLION POORER AMERICANS HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL WITH THE PEOPLES U.S. SENATOR SNOWE OF MAINE.
LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS CAN BE FOUND WITH ANY SEARCH ENGINE.
424-247-2013

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!!! We our losing our homes and at risk of being displaced, can't feed our families, our utilities are in jeopardy of being shut-off!! This will be the catalyst that will seemingly rip our families apart and destroy the "family unit" as we know it!!! We our in unemployment crisis!!! Why are our "Public Officials" NOT hearing our voices?! I too, would like to know why our Democratic Senators have NOT pushed this bill through, and it still has NOT been passed!!! I too, think we might be better served through the media!!!! In addition we NEED to exercise our right...of DISSATISFACTION...at the voting poll!! Again, please ask our Senators, "What have you done for us lately"?!