Role of Congressional Office and Healthcare Background of the presenter Background of the presenter What role does the Washington D.C. office play What role does the Washington D.C. office play What role do the district offices play What role do the district offices play Overview of the U.S. Congress and healthcare Overview of the U.S. Congress and healthcare Healthcare Budget Exercise Healthcare Budget Exercise

Role of the Washington D.C. Office Policy- write legislation (bills), talk with and listen to constituents (people who live in the elected officials district or state), serve on committees to help decide which legislation vote on Policy- write legislation (bills), talk with and listen to constituents (people who live in the elected officials district or state), serve on committees to help decide which legislation vote on Press- talk with the media (newspapers, television, radio, and internet) to let the constituents know what the elected official is doing Press- talk with the media (newspapers, television, radio, and internet) to let the constituents know what the elected official is doing Tours- staff give and/or set up tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, FBI and other federal buildings (tour availability based on security rules) Tours- staff give and/or set up tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, FBI and other federal buildings (tour availability based on security rules) Flags- as a constituent you can order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol Flags- as a constituent you can order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol

Role of the District Offices Number of Offices- depends on the size of the district or state the elected official represents Casework-staff helps constituents with problems such as passports, medals and government records Military Academies- elected officials can nominate students to the Air Force Academy, West Point, Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy

United States Congress and Healthcare Congress- is made up of two bodies. The first is the House of Representatives, which is comprised of 435 members and the state’s population determines representation. The second voting body is the Senate. The Senate is comprised of 100 members, two for each state. Congress- is made up of two bodies. The first is the House of Representatives, which is comprised of 435 members and the state’s population determines representation. The second voting body is the Senate. The Senate is comprised of 100 members, two for each state. Committee- a small group of elected officials who decide which legislation is going to be voted on Committee- a small group of elected officials who decide which legislation is going to be voted on Conference Committee- a special committee that takes a few members from the Senate and House committees to work out differences in legislation Conference Committee- a special committee that takes a few members from the Senate and House committees to work out differences in legislation

Healthcare Medicare- a government program that provides hospital and medical insurance to people over 65 (examples- ambulance services, emergency care, transplants and medical supplies)  K. Brady 2003

Healthcare Medicaid- a government program that provides medical services for poor children, poor pregnant women and poor disabled people.  K. Brady 2003

Healthcare TANF- stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Most people call this program welfare. This government program gives poor families with children cash monthly to help pay for everyday living.  K. Brady 2003

Healthcare Social Security-this program takes money out of your paycheck when you work and then starts paying you back some, all or more of your money when you turn 65. A lot of elderly people use the money to live after they retire. When you see the term FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) on your pay check, that is the federal government taking out social security money. Social Security-this program takes money out of your paycheck when you work and then starts paying you back some, all or more of your money when you turn 65. A lot of elderly people use the money to live after they retire. When you see the term FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) on your pay check, that is the federal government taking out social security money.  K. Brady 2003

Healthcare CDC-stands for Centers for Disease Control. Money for CDC prevention programs includes issues such as: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile Virus, Influenza (the flu), small pox, HIV/AIDS, etc. CDC-stands for Centers for Disease Control. Money for CDC prevention programs includes issues such as: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile Virus, Influenza (the flu), small pox, HIV/AIDS, etc.  K. Brady 2003

Your Mission Separate Congress into two bodies, the House and Senate Separate Congress into two bodies, the House and Senate Each body has trillion dollars to spend on the five categories provided. The “real congress” spent this much money on the programs in Each body has trillion dollars to spend on the five categories provided. The “real congress” spent this much money on the programs in  K. Brady 2003

Your Mission Your legislative body must spend all the money budgeted. You cannot go over and cannot spend less for the purpose of this exercise. Your legislative body must spend all the money budgeted. You cannot go over and cannot spend less for the purpose of this exercise.  K. Brady 2003

Your Mission Members should take into consideration their constituency. If you don’t give enough to one group they may vote you out of office. If you don’t give enough to other groups people may die. Take the time to rationalize your decisions and debate the issues. Members should take into consideration their constituency. If you don’t give enough to one group they may vote you out of office. If you don’t give enough to other groups people may die. Take the time to rationalize your decisions and debate the issues.  K. Brady 2003

Your Mission Finally, to make things easier break down the categories not by percentages but numbers. For example, if you spend 401 billion on one category, you have 900 billion left for the other four. Finally, to make things easier break down the categories not by percentages but numbers. For example, if you spend 401 billion on one category, you have 900 billion left for the other four.  K. Brady 2003

Your Mission Present your findings and see if there will be a conference committee. Present your findings and see if there will be a conference committee.  K. Brady 2003

Programs Medicare-medical insurance for those over 65 Medicare-medical insurance for those over 65 Medicaid- medical services for the poor Medicaid- medical services for the poor TANF (welfare)- cash to help needy families TANF (welfare)- cash to help needy families Social Security- provides money for those over 65 Social Security- provides money for those over 65 CDC- programs to prevent disease CDC- programs to prevent disease  K. Brady 2003

Actual Congressional Spending (Office of Management and Budget 2004 Historical Tables) Medicare253 billion Medicare253 billion Medicaid 148 billion Medicaid 148 billion TANF 23 billion TANF 23 billion Social Security 451 billion Social Security 451 billion CDC Prevention 2 billion CDC Prevention 2 billion Total 877 billion Total 877 billion  K. Brady 2003

Actual Congressional Spending (Office of Management and Budget 2009 Historical Tables) Medicare418 billion Medicare418 billion Medicaid 251 billion Medicaid 251 billion TANF 22 billion TANF 22 billion Social Security 608 billion Social Security 608 billion CDC Prevention 2 billion CDC Prevention 2 billion Total 1.301Trillion Total 1.301Trillion  K. Brady 2010