Press Office of Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV)

[Dennis Retton]

Retton Speaks Up For Medicare During Budget Debate

Rep. Dennis Retton voiced great concern today over President Warder's proposed budget for FY2009, noting that a reduced budget deficit should not come at the expense of those in our nation who have toiled the longest.

These individuals have seen this nation through decades of turmoil and strife...and how do we repay them?" Retton asked in a speech on the House floor. "Why, let's make medical care that much more difficult for them to afford!"

Retton said that America's seniors, and especially those in southern West Virginia have worked hard for the benefits they have received.

"Many of those in my district have epitomized the earning of a hard-earned dollar," Retton said after his speech. "A large number of my constituents know all too well the risks of coal mining; these individuals have strived for many years to earn a living wage while helping keep their fellow Americans supplied with the electricity they've come to rely on."

Retton said that privatization was not the most effective answer and that he would be more than happy to work with fellow members of Congress in both houses and on both sides of the aisle to try and develop workable alternatives to the complete gutting of Medicare.

"The budget that President Warder has sent to us is a good start," Retton said, "but we're spending our constituents' money -- the least we can do is listen to them about how they'd like us to spend it."

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton: Universal Health Care Freedom Act a Good Start, but Challenges Remain

Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) said today that the Universal Health Care Freedom Act is a piece of legislation that shows great promise, though work still needs to be done if it is ever to be considered a worthy and effective successor to Medicare.

Retton expressed concern that the medical and pharmaceutical industries are still much too driven by profit.

"If the providers and drug companies know that at least 70% of their fees will be paid by the government's program, what's to keep them from raising the costs even higher, leaving Americans to pay just as much as before?"

He called on the medical and pharmaceutical industries to work even more dilligently to control costs.

"Marketing a new drug or informing a patient about a new procedure shouldn't be like the marketing of a new car," Retton said. "The financial bottom line must take a backseat to what's truly important at the end of the day: the health and well-being of Americans. If you take care of your customers -- both their pocketbooks and their health -- they'll take care of you."

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton calls for bipartisan study of health-care options for Americans

Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) today called on members of Congress from both houses and both parties to work together to decide whether President Warder's planned Universal Health Care Freedom Act is truly the best plan for all Americans.

"I respect that President Warder has extensive business experience," Retton said, "but running a nation and running a business are vastly different things; as I read and re-read this piece of legislation, it smacks of something a big business might offer to its employees as an option. Yet, if the president and his GOP colleagues have their way, it won't simply be an option for Americans -- it'll be the only option. We as lawmakers ought to be willing to give the American people more options than they had with Henry Ford's Model T, which they could have in any color -- as long as it was black."

Retton said that the President and the Congress should not be in a rush to complete a massive overhaul of governmental programs and policies; there should at least be intermediate steps, the congressman said.

"Medicare has been the policy of this government for 44 years; yet, with one bill, the Republicans expect to push this nation in a new direction seemingly overnight," Retton said. "This is not a black-and-white issue; Americans should have more choice than just 'black.'
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[Dennis Retton]

Retton Renews Call for Bipartisan Commission on Medicare Reform

Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) once again called upon President Warder and the Republican Party to work with the Democrats to develop the best plan to give Americans, both young and old, the best health coverage possible.

"First, let me applaud President Warder for making universal health coverage one of his top priorities," Retton said. "However, I still believe that there needs to be a bipartisan effort to reform Medicare instead of throwing out the baby with the bathwater."

Despite President Warder's recent comments comparing the copayments required under his plan with those required by Medicare, Retton said he still worries that some Americans won't be able to make ends meet, even with supplemental insurance.

"I still worry that many citizens will have to choose between keeping the creditors off their backs and keeping themselves healthy," Retton said. "The average copayment under the President's plan are likely to be considerably higher than those required by the current Medicare system, especially if teamed with a monthly insurance payment in an attempt to bring those costs down even further."

Retton also said that he is concerned about the path the president seems to be taking early in his term.

"President Warder comes from a business background, where profit is king," Retton said. "If he continues down this path of privatization, it could leave many Americans out in the cold on many fronts -- not just healthcare."

Instead, Retton urged moderation by Warder and the Republicans, even volunteering to help create a presidential commission on government reform.

"We're all the stewards of the American purse-strings," the congressman said. "We should work together to ensure that the American people come out ahead of red tape and a rush to look good for elections."

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton vows even greater service as House Minority Leader

Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) today said that he would work even harder for West Virginians -- and all Americans -- as newly elected leader of House Democrats.

"I want to thank my fellow Democrats for this opportunity, which I see as a chance to bring our party together in even greater service to the United States," Retton said. "First and foremost, though, he said, I am a servant to my constituents."

Retton said that he hoped his new position would enable him to work more closely with House members on all parts of the political spectrum and build bipartisan support for many initiatives.

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton discusses news of potential GE plant in Great Lakes region

House Minority Leader Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) applauded GE's inclusion of Chicago and Flint on a list of locations for the corporate giant's new plant.

"I am thrilled to see that such a corporate leader is noticing what we as residents have known all along: our people are a skilled, motivated group of laborers," Retton said.

The minority leader said that he plans to fly to Chicago in the next couple of days to meet with local and regional leaders, as well as corporate leaders from GE.

"I will do my part to ensure that such a solid opportunity for economic and labor growth is brough to our region," he said.

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton applauds Washington's gay-marriage intiative, urges governor to sign

House Minority Leader Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) today applauded the state of Washington for passing a bill to legalize same-sex marriages, and urged the governor to sign what Retton called "a major step forward in the civil rights movement in the United States."

"I know that same-sex marriages have long been a 'hot-button' issue in this nation," Retton said, "however, I applaud Washington for rising above the political fray and passing a piece of legislation which will ensure greater equality for all of the state's residents."

Retton said that while he respects that there are differing viewpoints on the issue, he believed it simply to be one of equality and social justice -- two principles upon which the foundation of the American government was built.

"Marriage and the recognition of marriages is a state matter," Retton said. "It's my hope, though, that other states will follow Washington's progressive move and not let themselves be held back by those who would use angry, hate-filled rhetoric to deny any American the same rights they enjoy."

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[Dennis Retton]

Retton Speaks Up About Budget Debate

Rep. Dennis Retton (D-WV) said today that while he is sure there are some Americans who feel he is simply dragging his feet in the budget negotiations that are currently on-going in the House, the Minority Leader reassured his constituents that he is battling instead to help preserve vital government programs.

"Yes, it's important that we pass a budget," Retton said, "but I don't think it's so important that we simply railroad it through Congress without any debate or reform; that's what the legislative branch is supposed to be about, after all."

Retton promised cooperation and dialogue instead of purely partisan politics, saying he simply wants the American taxpayer to get the most for their money.

"We'd be doing the same thing if it were a Democratic president in the White House," Retton said. "President Warder's affiliation has no bearing on my feelings about his budget -- what I'm concerned about is the numbers. And until those are at a level I feel best benefit all Americans, I'll continue to battle attempts to push through anything less."

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