Press Release:

February 24, 2010

(Washington, D.C.)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today called on WellPoint CEO Angela Braly to explain the increase in New Hampshire health insurance rates despite the company's substantial profits. According to a report released today by the Center for American Progress, WellPoint, under the banner of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, intends to increase individual insurance rates in New Hampshire by 12 percent to 13 percent and has already increased premiums in the small group market by 17 percent. Meanwhile, the company posted a 700 percent increase in profits in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the same time period the previous year.

I had good reason by '88 to be done with Reagan/Bush, having seen, first hand, how "revenue sharing," which Republicans routinely decried, was being used by those self-same Republicans to bribe the electorate when election time rolled around. That's right. Grants for wastewater treatment plants we'd been planning and waiting for for years (to serve all the people who were moving South to where it's cheaper to survive and not risk freezing to death) had been held up to use as a bribe.

We were supposed to be grateful that Washington was giving us some of our money back. And I resented that.

Dukakis came and went in '88. Or rather, he never did show up in our part of the state of Florida. His campaign organization wouldn't even let us put a generic "Vote Democratic" jingle on the radio to get out the vote.

Press Release

Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today applauded the passage of two measures she cosponsored to improve health services for women and secure Medicare benefits. The first measure would provide free preventive health services for women, and the second ensures that guaranteed Medicare benefits cannot be cut. Both amendments will now be included in the Senate's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is currently before the Senate for debate.

I am writing today to inform you that I have officially announced my candidacy for the US Congress in New Hampshire's 2nd District (NH-02). You can read the full text of my speech here. I have also recorded a campaign video to introduce myself to voters across the district. You can see the video on my website at www.DeJoie2010.com.

I have been traveling around New Hampshire for the past several months listening to people like you. You have shared your hopes and fears and concerns about the economy and healthcare. Many of you have told me that you want a candidate who understands what you are going through.

As a firefighter and a State Representative, my family lives with the fear of making ends meet. As prices for food, fuel and healthcare continue to rise, working families are finding it more difficult pay the bills each month. You asked for someone like you, who understands the struggles of working families to represent you in Washington. I am that person and I am ready to fight for you in Washington. (Read full text of my speech here).

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the membership of the Glastonbury Democratic Town Committee that we strongly urge Majority Leader Harry Reid to remove Joseph Lieberman from his Chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for his continued duplicitous conduct and his continued efforts to undermine the progressive programs advocated by the Democratic Party; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to all Democratic members of the United States Senate and to all national and Connecticut media outlets as a clear signal of dissatisfaction with the actions and conduct of Joseph Lieberman felt by the members of this body.

Approved and Adopted by Unanimous Vote at its GDTC Meeting on November 19, 2009

Senators Reid, Schumer and Leahy have introduced the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act as part of comprehensive health insurance reform to

eliminate the outdated insurance industry antitrust exemption, and force health insurance companies to compete fairly.

President Obama's overhaul hinges on six crucial individuals and their skill at negotiating behind closed doors. Now Rahm Emanuel, Nancy-Ann DeParle and the others will see if their efforts pay off.

By Peter Nicholas

October 21, 2009

Reporting from Washington

Peter R. Orszag, the White House official steeped in budget detail, is now so at home in the Capitol that he freely grabs Coke Zeros from the Senate Finance Committee's private stash when he talks healthcare costs with aides.
Nancy-Ann DeParle, who joined the administration after a career that included running Medicare, is routinely hooked into a nightly 9 o'clock conference call for legislative staff.
And nearly every week, presidential aide Jim Messina eats the same steak-and-fries plate at the same table in the same restaurant with his old boss, Sen. Max Baucus -- the man responsible for the centrist bill that will shape the final healthcare plan.