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March 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wedesday, March 10, 1999
McDermott Backs Medical Privacy
(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), one of Congress' first supporters of medical patients' rights of privacy, today agreed to be an original cosponsor of the Medical Information Privacy and Security Act. He appeared at a press conference with the House sponsor, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senate sponsors Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). McDermott has sponsored similar privacy legislation in the past two Congresses. He will re-introduce his own bill later this session but said he joined in today's bill introduction "because I am adamant that strong privacy legislation pass this year." McDermott said, "Whether people know it or not, medical-records privacy affects everyone. When patients give their doctor sensitive health information, they assume that the information is confidential. What patients don't realize is that hundreds of people have access to this information" McDermott noted that "Addressing privacy has new urgency this year." To comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Congress must pass medical records privacy legislation by August 1999 or the Secretary of Health and Human Services must promulgate regulations. The Administrative Simplification provision of this legislation threatens the privacy of all medical records, including sensitive data such as mental health records, and genetic information. Today's bill creates a "federal floor" for medical privacy standards and does not preempt stronger state privacy laws. It guarantees a patient's right to inspect, copy and supplement his/her own medical record; a clear explanation of both who can see his/her health information and for what purpose the information is to be disclosed. It also limits disclosure of a patient's health information only to those involved in his/her health care and requires law enforcement agents to first obtain a warrant before gaining access to health files.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 18, 1999
The African Growth and Opportunity Act
(Washington, DC) -- Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) today made the following statement regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act at the U.S.-Africa Ministerial Partnership for the 21st Century:
"I would like to welcome the distinguished group of African trade ministers to Capitol Hill today. Representatives of 46 nations are present to participate in the U.S.-Africa Ministerial Conference on Partnership in the 21st Century, a conference to focus on the President's Partnership for Economic Growth and Opportunity in Africa and to explore how our country and the African nations can encourage economic development, trade and investment. "I am particularly excited today because the African trade ministers have endorsed the African Growth and Opportunity Act. I am also glad to have Senator Lugar with us to announce the introduction of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in the Senate. This proposal has strong bipartisan support, as evidenced by its sponsors and cosponsors, because it is good for the U.S. and good for Africa. You can see from the attendance here today that it has significant support in Africa as well. "I want to take this historic occasion to note that the African Growth and Opportunity Act would establish as U.S. policy, the creation of a transition from development assistance to economic self-reliance for those countries in Africa committed to economic and political reform, market incentives, and private sector growth. "It is difficult to believe that the U.S. has no trade policy -- only an aid policy -- with sub-Saharan Africa. Aid does not move any country to economic growth and self-sufficiency. Many African countries are taking tough reform measures and we should meet them halfway. It is past time for the U.S. to acknowledge what African political and business leaders have long known -- Africa wants to progress from a donor/recipient relationship to a buyer-and-seller relationship with the U.S. This change in trade policy will help African nations toward self-reliance by stating that they will be our economic partners. And, it creates the tools needed to make that relationship succeed. "I would like to join the other sponsors of the African Growth and Opportunity Act -- Reps. Phillip Crane (R-IL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Trade; Charles Rangel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means; Amo Houghton (R-NY); William Jefferson (D-LA); Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN); and Phil Gramm (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee -- in calling for quick passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 23, 1999
Sound Transit
"I am excited and gratified with this grant from the federal government, which will help bring commuter rail service to Tacoma and Seattle, and to the cities of Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, Kent, Renton and Tukwila," U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wa, said today.
By the end of this year, Sound Transit is expected to begin operating the commuter rail trains between Seattle and Tacoma. Along with a new fleet of regional, express buses, it is the first phase of the regional transit program approved by local voters almost three years ago.
"People in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties showed they were willing to tax themselves to help sort out the Puget Sound's transportation problems, and today's grant from the federal government shows that we have a partner willing to pay its share," McDermott said.
McDermott noted that the state's congressional delegation also is eager to work with Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Authority to secure funding for the planned light-rail line currently under design.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 24, 1999
Statement by U.S. Representative Jim McDermott at the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS Briefing on HIV/AIDS in China
(Washington, DC) -- Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS, today made the following statement:
" I am very pleased the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS is sponsoring today's in-depth look into the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China. The Task Force has for ten years taken the lead in educating and working with policy makers around the world in an effort to combat the spread of this deadly disease. Without an appropriate response the social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS in the Republic of China may influence the direction and scope of U.S. foreign policy in Asia. I would especially like to thank the doctors with us today from China, Drs. Ke-An Wang, Yunzhen Cao, Chunming Chen, and Sun Gang. I would also like to thank Peter Laptey, Nils Daulaire, Art Amman, and Anthony Fauci for being with us today. " I am heartened that the Chinese government has taken some strong initial steps to combat this epidemic. The Chinese government's initiatives to curb HIV spread by limiting the spread of STD's and protecting its blood supply are very commendable. So too is the government's initiative on needle exchange. I would like to offer the officials responsible for these initiatives my congratulations and thanks. However, China must take other steps to fully grasp the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. "There may be as many as 10 million people infected by 2010, and I'm sure that China realizes that current measures alone will not solve this crisis. I also hope that China addresses three other areas: First, China must focus much more attention on achieving a comprehensive system of monitoring the blood supply. Second, China must mount a significant public-education campaign on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and ways to prevent contracting the disease. Education should include convincing the Chinese people that the government's needle exchanges are viable and beneficial. Finally, the Chinese government must improve upon their treatment of those who have contracted the AIDS virus. Without these, I fear that the Chinese public health system could quickly and dramatically self-destruct. "I know China is serious about its desire to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS, but we must recognize the huge task that they have before them. It is incumbent on the Task Force members to continue to support these efforts."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 25, 1999
Statement by Rep. Jim McDermott on the Introduction of The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River Protection Act
(Washington, DC) -- Rep. Jim McDermott today made the following statement on the introduction of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River Protection Act:
"I am happy to join with my Democratic colleagues from Washington State to sponsor legislation which would save as a recreational river the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River in the United States. "This section of the river, known as the Hanford Reach, flows along the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. While the rest of the Columbia River has been developed for agriculture and hydroelectric generation, this section of the river has remained unspoiled and is a key area for salmon spawning. It is the habitat for 80 percent of the river's fall chinook salmon. The Hanford Reach is home to bald eagles, deer and elk, as well as rare plant species. The area also contains unique geography and scenery that must be protected. "In the Northwest, we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to restore salmon runs. That's why it makes so much economic and ecological sense to pass this cost-effective legislation. "This amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is a balanced, moderate approach to saving the Reach. It strikes a balance between recreational activity and protecting the habitat. In addition to the people you see before you today, it enjoys the support of the governors of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, the Northwest Power Planning Council; numerous Indian tribes and the scientific and conservation communities. "I want to thank Sen. Murray for organizing this event, and I look forward to working with my House colleagues to preserve this important part of our state for posterity."
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McDermott Backs Medical Privacy