18 Nov 2014

Enroll Today!

By Rep. Dave Loebsack
Open enrollment for health coverage through the Iowa Health Insurance Marketplace has just begun and will run through February 15, 2015.  During these next three months, you will have the opportunity to renew your current coverage, enroll in a different plan, or purchase insurance for the first time.  I wanted to provide you with some information as you begin exploring your options.

Here are a few key things to remember:

  • If you are currently enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace, you do not have to sign up again and will be automatically re-enrolled.  However, I encourage you to take a look at the plans available to see if you can get a better deal or a plan that better fits your health care needs.

  • If you do not currently have coverage, you must apply by December 15 in order to get coverage beginning January 1.  If you apply past the 15th of the month, your coverage begins the first day of the second following month.

  • You may qualify for a special enrollment period outside of open enrollment in the following circumstances:

    • You change your job

    • Your income changes

    • You turn 26 and leave your parents plan

    • You move your residence

    • You have a baby or adopt a child

    • You get married or divorced.

  • There are several ways to apply for coverage on the exchange.  These include :

    • Over the phone by calling the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.

    • Online at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov

    • In-person. Find people in your community trained and certified to help you enroll at Localhelp.HealthCare.gov

    • Paper application. You can get a paper application by calling the Marketplace Call Center of downloading a copy from HealthCare.gov.

Updates to the HealthCare.gov website now allow you to shop for and compare plans before submitting an application and have streamlined the application process.  Further, the website has been improved to allow for many more users than are expected in order to avoid the frustrating wait times that some experienced during last year's enrollment process.  I will continue to monitor the operation of the site to ensure that all Iowans who want to purchase or change their insurance are able to do so.

As always, please feel free to contact my office if you need any assistance as you consider your options and apply for health care coverage.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

11 Aug 2014

Tell me your thoughts - minimum wage

By Rep. Dave Loebsack
In these difficult economic times, far too many Iowans are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. I grew up in poverty and understand what it is like to sit around the kitchen table and worry about how the bills are going to get paid. I support increasing the minimum wage so that hard working Iowans are able to maintain a basic standard of living, but I want to know what you think.

Please click here to share your thoughts with me.

I believe it is time for Iowa's workers to get a raise, but I also understand the difficulties small businesses face in meeting their bottom line. We must grow an economy that works for all Iowans. It is important for me to know what you think about proposals to raise the minimum wage.

Click here to take a quick survey to share your opinion with me.

Sincerely, 

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

05 Aug 2014

Serving those who served...

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

As a parent of two children who serve in the military and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know that our service members and military families have made great sacrifices over the last decade and have courageously served our nation. I strongly believe that there is no greater responsibility we have as a nation than to ensure our servicemembers, veterans, and military families receive the benefits and support they deserve.

That is why I recently hosted a series of town halls on my Serving Those Who Served tour. This annual tour gives me a chance to meet with veterans and discuss issues that are important to them. I was honored to be joined by local veterans service organizations, County Veterans Affairs Officers and other groups at these town halls. My staff was also available at each stop to provide any assistance veterans needed dealing with the federal government. As a military parent, I stand ready to help Iowans who need assistance working with military services, the VA, or other agencies.

At each town hall, I was deeply humbled by the stories and experiences the veterans shared. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I work every day to ensure our servicemembers, veterans, and military families have the equipment, training, benefits, and support they need and deserve.

I personally value the ideas and thoughts veterans have about how our country can best honor our commitment to serving those who have worn our nation's uniform. That is why I look forward to hosting my Serving Those Who Served tour and will continue to fight against proposals to reduce or eliminate essential benefits for those who have made great sacrifices on behalf of our nation. If you or someone in your family is a veteran and needs assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

01 Aug 2014

Dave Loebsack - working for you

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

Dear Friend,

Since coming into office, I have set out to change the culture of Washington. I have been working to put Iowans first and make sure Members of Congress are working for you, the people we are chosen to represent, not special interests.

Starting in 2007, I worked to pass the largest ethics reform package since Watergate. But I haven't stopped there. I have also pushed to cut member's pay, which hasn't been cut in over 80 years, end the revolving door between lobbyists and Congress, get budgets passed on time, and have fought to hold members of Congress accountable for actually doing what they were sent to Washington to do.

This is also why I recently unveiled a package of bills that I have either written or helped introduce to restore the American people's faith in their government. It's called the "Holding Congress Accountable" plan. I recorded a quick video about it.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Click here if you want to learn more about the specific bills included in my "Holding Congress Accountable" plan.

The American people deserve better. It's time for Congress to show it is serious about making good choices for the country. It's time Congress is held accountable and does what's right so the American people can have trust in the work that their government is doing.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack

Iowa's Second District

PS- I hope you take a second to watch my video.

01 Jul 2014

Our Schools, Our Future

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

As someone who grew up in poverty, I know that education can change lives and I wouldn't be here today had it not been for the great public education that Iowa offers. Access to a quality education for all should be one of our nation's top priorities and the best ideas for how to improve education come from those working on the ground. That is why I recently visited schools across Iowa on an "Our Schools, Our Future" tour.

During these visits, I had the opportunity to meet with students, teachers, and school administrators to hear their thoughts and concerns about education in Iowa. As a former educator I firmly believe that for our country to continue to be the great power that it is, we must ensure all children have access to a high-quality education from preschool to college.

You may also have heard that I was recently chosen by my colleagues to serve as the Ranking Member, which is the senior most minority party Member, of the House Education and Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. In this role, I will work on a bipartisan basis to ensure our students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed.

Every Iowa child deserves to receive a world class education that prepares them for success for years to come. I look forward to bringing the insight provided by Iowa students and teachers on the "Our Schools, Our Future" tour back to Washington.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

20 Jun 2014

IRAQ - Share your thoughts

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

Dear Friend,

As you may have recently seen in the news, sectarian violence has dramatically increased between warring factions in Iraq. As a military parent and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am closely following the situation and have deep concerns about the use of troops in Iraq. While there are many ideas about how involved the United States should be, I want to know what you think.

Take this quick poll and tell me your opinion.

I have traveled to Iraq multiple times to meet with the troops and receive on the ground briefings from the commanders who were leading the war. I believe that when United States troops left Iraq, we set the stage for the Iraqi government to make their own decisions. I am disappointed in the failure of Iraq's current leaders for not creating a more inclusive and peaceful partnership.

I will continue to monitor the situation and hope that you will take a quick poll to let me know your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

PS- Your voice matters. Please click here to take the poll.

27 May 2014

TUESDAY: Loebsack to Bring "Our Schools, Our Future" Tour to Muscatine

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

The "Our Schools, Our Future" tour will be at Grant Elementary School TODAY, May 27th. Loebsack has also made stops in Clinton, Davenport, Keokuk, North Liberty, Bettendorf, West Liberty, Osceola, Chariton, Newton and Ottumwa. He will also be making a stop in Wapello this week. Details for future stops will be announced at a later date. Members of the media and cameras are invited to attend.

"Our Schools, Our Future" Tour - Tuesday, May 27

Grant Elementary School

705 Berry Ave

Muscatine

1:00pm
09 May 2014

Loebsack to Kickoff "Our Schools, Our Future" Tour

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will be visiting various elementary, middle and high schools throughout Iowa's Second Congressional District on his "Our Schools, Our Future" Tour. Loebsack was recently chosen to serve as Ranking Member, the senior most Democrat, of the House Education and Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. At each visit, Loebsack will get a tour of the school and meet with various stakeholders including principals, teachers, counselors, school board members and parents.

"For our country to remain competitive in the global marketplace, we must ensure our kids receive the best education possible," said Loebsack. "From pre-school all the way through high school, it is our responsibility to provide children with the tools they need to succeed and enable them to achieve the American Dream. I look forward to seeing the innovative ways Iowa schools are preparing our children and also listening to their concerns so I can bring their experience and ideas back to Washington."

Loebsack will make stops in Clinton, Muscatine, Davenport, Burlington, Keokuk, Iowa City, West Liberty, Ottumwa, Osceola, Newton and Chariton. Details for each stop will be announced at a later date. Members of the media and cameras are invited to attend.

###
26 Feb 2014

Hands Off Social Security Update

By Rep. Dave Loebsack
Dear Friend,

I wanted to share with you a quick update on my efforts to protect Social Security and senior's hard earned benefits. I am pleased to let you know that after urging the President to not include what's known as "chained CPI" in his 2015 budget plan, the White House recently announced that it will not be included. This is great news! This move, which is used to calculate annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security, would have had a negative effect on Iowa's seniors.

Please know that I will continue to keep fighting for seniors and ensure that Iowans who played by the rules, paid into the system, and worked hard get their earned benefits.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District
13 Feb 2014

Hands Off Social Security

By Rep. Dave Loebsack
Dear Friend,

Growing up, my family struggled to make ends meet.  My grandmother relied on Social Security survivors' benefits to care for my siblings and me.  I know first-hand the importance of maintaining this promise of retirement security and wanted to update you on the work I am doing to protect Social Security. As the President begins to craft his budget proposal for 2015, I am urging him to keep a move to what's known as "chained CPI" out of his plan. This move, used to calculate annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs), would have a negative effect on Iowa's seniors.  This is particularly unacceptable after several years of historically low COLAs.

No Iowan should ever retire into poverty or have to make the choice between putting food on the table and paying their bills. That's why I have long worked to strengthen and improve Social Security to ensure that Iowans who played by the rules, paid into the system, and worked hard get their earned benefits.

I am leading the fight against a move to a "chained CPI" to calculate the yearly COLA for seniors.  This change, as you know, would cause a permanent, across the board cut to both current and future seniors and I will continue to fight against it.  Seniors did not get us into the financial situation we are in now and should not be punished for it. We must not balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable, and that's why I am fighting so hard to keep the "chained CPI" out of the budget for 2015.

Sincerely,

 
Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

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