November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) issued the following statement tonight after the release of the Senate health care reform legislation.

“This bill meets the test of history, reflecting the ideals that drove Ted Kennedy to lead the fight for health care reform for a generation and inspired me to take up his torch this summer. It’s a comprehensive and thorough approach that comes in under budget and finally makes stable, affordable, quality care available to every American. It has been an honor to work with Leader Reid and Chairman Baucus in this process, and I look forward to an open and inclusive debate on the Senate floor.

Wilton Family Joins Dodd in Calling for Overhaul of Food Safety System. Bill Includes Dodd Provision to Help Schools Manage Food Allergies

November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today called for stronger food safety provisions and the development of consistent federal guidelines for the management of food allergies in schools today at a markup session of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Report Shows Some Parents Being Charged 3X More For Children’s Medicine

November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today called for a federal investigation after a USA Today report revealed that “some pharmacies are charging three times what others are for a scarce liquid form of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu used by children.”

Bill Will Guarantee Up to Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave for Workers Infected By the H1N1 Virus

November 17, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) today will introduce emergency legislation that will guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus. Last week, Dodd chaired, and Congresswoman DeLauro testified at, a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families in response to the H1N1 pandemic.

Will Guarantee Up to Seven Days of Paid Leave for Workers Infected By The H1N1 Virus

November 10, 2009

During a hearing today on the H1N1 Pandemic, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced that he is preparing emergency legislation that will guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus.

“This isn’t just a workers’ rights issue – it’s a public health emergency. Families shouldn’t have to choose between staying healthy and making ends meet,” said Dodd. “But if staying home means you don’t get paid, that’s an impossibility, especially for families struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy.”

November 7, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today after the historic vote by the House of Representatives to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Today’s historic vote is one more step for reform,” said Dodd, “and another giant leap towards an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have worked tirelessly and passed a strong bill. And I will fight to ensure that the Senate does its part. In the coming weeks, I expect a vigorous debate on the Senate floor. But the American people expect that, like the House, we in the Senate will finally deliver reform that cuts costs, protects patient choice, guarantees every American stable, affordable, quality care – and includes a strong public option.”

November 5, 2009

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that the Senate has approved $5 million for law enforcement, environmental, and research initiatives for Connecticut in the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill.

“The critical funding will support a number of important law enforcement and after-school initiatives in Connecticut,” said Dodd. “These programs will help give communities across Connecticut the tools they need to enhance public safety and reduce youth violence in our neighborhoods.”

By: Daniela Altimari on November 5, 2009

A frustrated Sen. Chris Dodd is asking why private firms on Wall Street have received H1N1 vaccines at a time when local hospitals and doctors offices have had a hard time securing sufficient supplies to serve children, pregnant women and other at-risk groups.

"Every day, I am receiving phone calls and letters from constituents in Connecticut about the difficulties they are facing with obtaining the H1N1 vaccine,'' Dodd wrote to Health and Human service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Schools in my state have closed; hospitals and health clinics report widespread shortages. It is shocking to think that private firms would be prioritized ahead of hospitals when the vaccine supply cannot meet the demand."

Dodd: “Vaccines should go to people who need them most, not people who happen to work on Wall Street”

November 5, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) demanded an immediate explanation from federal officials today after reports that Wall Street firms are in possession of H1N1 vaccines despite widespread shortages that have left the most vulnerable members of the public unable to get vaccinated. In his letter to officials, Dodd stressed that several hospitals in Connecticut alone do not have enough vaccines to meet demand, and that several schools in Connecticut have been closed due to the spread of the virus among Connecticut children.

November 3, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today released his statement from the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s hearing on the increasing health costs facing small businesses.

“Health care reform is one of the most important things we can do for small businesses. There are more than 37,000 small businesses in my home state of Connecticut,” said Dodd, a senior member of the HELP Committee. “I am counting on them to lead the charge to create more jobs and grow our economy. And they are counting on us to pass health care reform this year so that they can do so without being strangled by the skyrocketing cost of health care.”