2008 Woodie Awards
Congressman listens to concerns of community, university students
Tyler Will
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
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11/30/07 - Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island's second congressional district visited the Kingston Free Library's Potter Hall last night to hear concerns from constituents of the local community.
"I want to take the opportunity to talk with constituents," Langevin said. "It would always be my preference, whenever possible, to meet with the people."
Hot topics of the night included funding for the war in Iraq, health care and the impeachment of President Bush. Other topics included alternate energy sources, over fishing, social security and economic trouble. Some of the concerns Langevin addressed are pertinent to the University of Rhode Island.
Joy Fox, Langevin's director of Communications and Community Outreach, said Langevin recently voted to increase Pell Grants, which directly benefit students. The Pell Grant program is a federally-mandated student financial aid source. Fox also said Langevin voted to lower interest rates on student loans.
Kristen Nicholson, Langevin's chief of staff, said Langevin represents other areas of student concern, such as health care.
Langevin said he was working on a bipartisan health care bill. Such a bill is unprecedented in the history of Congress. He said the plan is modeled after the health care plan the federal government has for its employees.
If the new bill is passed, he said insurance companies would maintain the program while the federal government would negotiate drug prices. He said there would still be a competitive market for Americans.
Langevin said the current health care system was inadequate. "It really is a national disgrace," he said.
Under the new bill, 90 to 95 percent of every dollar used to purchase a prescription drug would go toward the buyer's plan, and not manufacturer profit, Langevin said. He added that no current requirement exists.
Fox and Nicholson said Langevin's health care measures will benefit students after graduating.
"I want to take the opportunity to talk with constituents," Langevin said. "It would always be my preference, whenever possible, to meet with the people."
Hot topics of the night included funding for the war in Iraq, health care and the impeachment of President Bush. Other topics included alternate energy sources, over fishing, social security and economic trouble. Some of the concerns Langevin addressed are pertinent to the University of Rhode Island.
Joy Fox, Langevin's director of Communications and Community Outreach, said Langevin recently voted to increase Pell Grants, which directly benefit students. The Pell Grant program is a federally-mandated student financial aid source. Fox also said Langevin voted to lower interest rates on student loans.
Kristen Nicholson, Langevin's chief of staff, said Langevin represents other areas of student concern, such as health care.
Langevin said he was working on a bipartisan health care bill. Such a bill is unprecedented in the history of Congress. He said the plan is modeled after the health care plan the federal government has for its employees.
If the new bill is passed, he said insurance companies would maintain the program while the federal government would negotiate drug prices. He said there would still be a competitive market for Americans.
Langevin said the current health care system was inadequate. "It really is a national disgrace," he said.
Under the new bill, 90 to 95 percent of every dollar used to purchase a prescription drug would go toward the buyer's plan, and not manufacturer profit, Langevin said. He added that no current requirement exists.
Fox and Nicholson said Langevin's health care measures will benefit students after graduating.