Health Care

Larsen: Republicans Unwillingness to Govern Moves Country to Precipice of Shutdown

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today following reports that Republicans will insist on repealing the Affordable Care Act in order to keep the government operating after Sept. 30, a tactic which the New York Times says will “all but [ensure] that much of the government will shut down.” “Over the last three years, Republicans in Congress have shown…

Larsen: Congress Must Do More Than Just Keep the Lights On, But We Should At Least Do That

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after voting against a Republican bill that would fully defund the Affordable Care Act and keep damaging across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration in place. “This bill sends a dangerous message, telling Americans that unless they agree to bring back discriminatory health insurance, higher drug costs for…

Larsen Announces $2.75 Million Grant to Train Nurses in Northwest Washington

| Posted in Press Releases

A Bellingham nurse training program will receive $2.75 million in federal funds to expand nursing education for students across Northwest Washington, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said today. Bellingham Technical College will receive the funds from the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Education. “My top priority is to invest in the foundation of long-term economic growth that…

Larsen: Northwest Washington Health Clinics Get Federal Funding to Help Uninsured Get Coverage

| Posted in Press Releases

Health centers across Northwest Washington will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds to help enroll uninsured residents in the health care marketplace this fall, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, announced today. Community Health Center of Snohomish County will receive $194,982 and Bellingham-based Interfaith Community Health Center will receive $95,541. Sea-Mar Community…

Larsen: Republicans Wasting Time on Divisive Bill, Ignoring Economy and Jobs

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today in advance of the House of Representatives’ vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which would cut off legal access to abortion services at 20 weeks after fertilization. “How many more ways can Republicans come up with to avoid working on improving the economy?” Larsen said. “Instead of…

Letter from Island County Service Member to Larsen Inspires Policy Fix

| Posted in Press Releases

An Island County service member’s request for help from Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, turned into a new veterans health care policy approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last night. Shirin Lane, a retiring Air Force service member who lives in Clinton, wrote to Larsen in March asking for assistance when the disability rating she received for her fibromyalgia was not consistent…

Larsen: Republicans Wasting Time on Stunt Votes When We Need to Work on Creating Jobs

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today regarding the 37th effort in the House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “The 37th time is not the charm. With these stunt votes to nowhere, Republicans have spent millions of taxpayer dollars and wasted far too much time that could have been used to pass job-creating legislation. “With more than…

Part of Larsen Bill to Aid Women Veterans Put in Place by Veterans Administration

| Posted in Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it will establish a hotline for women veterans, mirroring a provision in a bill introduced by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. The hotline (1-855-VA-WOMEN) will provide information on health care and benefits specifically tailored to women veterans. “With more women serving on the front lines in our armed forces, it has never been…

Larsen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Disabled Veterans Start Families

| Posted in Press Releases

Veterans who cannot conceive children because of injuries they sustained in military service will be able to get advanced fertility treatments and adoption assistance if Congress passes a bipartisan bill introduced today by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2013 would give veterans with service-connected disabilities access to in vitro…

Larsen Report Shows Deep Impact of Scheduled Automatic Spending Cuts in Northwest Washington

| Posted in Press Releases

A staff report from the office of Rep. Rick Larsen released today details the severe consequences in Northwest Washington if automatic federal spending kick in on March 1. Larsen directed his staff to compile the report to illustrate the direct consequences of automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration, on local communities. The report is available here. “These automatic…