Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, December 15, 2000

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan Friday, December 1 5, 2000 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Announces Help for Kennedy Krieger Institute House Passes Final Funding Bills WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) today voted to approve H.R. 4577, the FY2001 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill which strengthens Medicare, pays down the debt, invests in education, boosts funding for medical research, and provides for renewal and revitalization for urban and rural communities. "Maryland’s Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have struggled through financial hardships forcing many to leave the State or limit their coverage," Congressman Ehrlich stated. "As a result, many of our State’s elderly and poor residents are without quality health care. "I am pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have united behind this legislation which provides funds to managed care plans, including HMOs, as well as to hospitals, including Kennedy Krieger Institute, by raising the rates at which the Federal government reimburses them for health service to elderly and poor patients." Congressman Ehrlich explained, "By passing this budget bill, the Republican controlled 106th Congress held to our promise to pay down the national debt, invest in our children’s education, and strengthen Medicare. It is my hope that we will now continue to work to strengthen America’s defense, save Social Security, create tax fairness, provide for our children, and keep the federal books balanced." ###