Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, October 26, 2000

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 26, 2000 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CONTACT: Jill Homan 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Announces Help for Kennedy Krieger Institute House Passes Historic Healthcare and Tax Relief Package WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) today voted to approve comprehensive health care and tax relief legislation. H.R. 2614, The Certified Development Company Program Improvements Act of 2000, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 237-174. The legislation ensures health care coverage for Americans, provides tax relief, helps both rural and urban communities, expands retirement savings options, and strengthens Medicare. "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 needing residents are without quality health care. "I am pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have united behind this legislation to provide 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 needing patients." Congressman Ehrlich explained, "In addition, the Republican-led Congress took a major step forward in providing hard-working men and women with tax relief and tax fairness. I urge the President to sign this bill and provide millions of taxpayers with relief." This legislation provides: • Seniors with critical access to health care, lowers out-of-pocket costs, increases the number of doctors in emergency rooms, ambulances in rural areas, and more heath aides in seniors’ homes; continued