Job training

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

hmoroz — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:53:02 -0400

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Projected cost of sequencing the complete genome of an individual within the next ten years, in dollars: 1,000

Total cost of the 13-year Human Genome Project, including studies of human diseases and experimental organisms, development of new technologies for biological and medical research, and other scientific activities, in dollars: 3 billion

Percentage of cancer genetics specialists who would not bill their own insurance company for colon, breast, or ovarian cancer genetic testing due to fear of genetic discrimination: 68

Percentage of Americans who are concerned that results from a genetic test that can tell patients whether they are at increased risk for a disease like cancer could be used in ways that would be harmful to them: 90

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

Middle Class Supports. Although cases of discrimination based on genetic testing are rare, as genetic testing becomes more widespread the risk that middle-class Americans who depend on health insurance could be denied insurance coverage or be terminated from a job solely for being at genetic risk for a disease is troubling. The legislation will facilitate the individualized approaches to health care that mapping the genome has made possible. Additionally, the bill would bolster popular support for genetic research by alleviating Americans’ fears of discrimination. Limiting the act’s prohibitions to use by employers and insurance companies would not stifle innovation in genetic research.

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Genetic Discrimination Resource Site, from the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health

Dr. Francis Collins on the Threat of Genetic Discrimination to the Promise of Personalized Medicine

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

hmoroz — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:53:02 -0400

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Projected cost of sequencing the complete genome of an individual within the next ten years, in dollars: 1,000

Percentage of cancer genetics specialists who would not bill their own insurance company for colon, breast, or ovarian cancer genetic testing due to fear of genetic discrimination: 68

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Genetic Discrimination Resource Site, from the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health

Dr. Francis Collins on the Threat of Genetic Discrimination to the Promise of Personalized Medicine

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

atraub — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:13:40 -0500

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Estimated total costs from hurricane damage, real estate losses, energy-sector costs, and water costs associated with global warming, if present trends continue, in dollars: 1.9 trillion

Estimated losses in damaged or destroyed residential real estate as a result of rising sea levels, in dollars: 360 billion

Projected percentage growth of U.S. carbon emissions between 2006 and 2030: 16

Number of states that are projected to face water shortages in the next five years: 36

Number of U.S. mayors that signed an agreement to meet or beat Kyoto Protocol targets for emissions reductions, as of June 2005: 141

Number of U.S. mayors that signed an agreement to meet or beat Kyoto Protocol targets for emissions reductions, as of June 2008: 850

Date on which President Bush sent a letter to U.S. Senators voicing his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol: March 13, 2001

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

Middle Class Supports. Human-caused climate change brought about in large part by greenhouse gases increasingly threatens Americans’ standard of living. A report recently released by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, supported by the findings of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, warned of more heat-related deaths, increased risk of Lyme disease and West Nile virus, more extreme weather, and disruptions in population growth at the local level due to climate change. An American economy built on greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels is unsustainable. By setting meaningful, yet achievable, goals for emissions reduction, the Climate Security Act is an important step to reorient the American economy towards sustainable growth. Though change will likely bring increased energy prices, the legislation appropriately directs funds to programs that will mitigate the pain felt by consumers and individuals working in affected industries. In particular, the creation of the Climate Change Worker Training and Assistance Fund is a forward-looking measure that will help American workers adapt to jobs that not only support energy efficiency, but pay decent wages as well. Funds to encourage energy efficient technology and mass transit projects are a further demonstration of a commitment to a sustainable and efficient economy.

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Global Warming Basics from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Policy Solutions from the National Resources Defense Council

Climate Assessments from the U.S. Government’s Global Change Research Program

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

atraub — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:13:40 -0500

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Estimated total costs from hurricane damage, real estate losses, energy-sector costs, and water costs associated with global warming, if present trends continue, in dollars: 1.9 trillion

Estimated losses in damaged or destroyed residential real estate as a result of rising sea levels, in dollars: 360 billion

Projected percentage growth of U.S. carbon emissions between 2006 and 2030: 16

Number of states that are projected to face water shortages in the next five years: 36

Number of U.S. mayors that signed an agreement to meet or beat Kyoto Protocol targets for emissions reductions, as of June 2005: 141

Number of U.S. mayors that signed an agreement to meet or beat Kyoto Protocol targets for emissions reductions, as of June 2008: 850

Date on which President Bush sent a letter to U.S. Senators voicing his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol: March 13, 2001

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Global Warming Basics from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Policy Solutions from the National Resources Defense Council

Climate Assessments from the U.S. Government’s Global Change Research Program

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

atraub — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:37:08 -0500

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Amount this legislation would save U.S. consumers in 2020, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists: $22 billion

Barrels of oil per day that would be saved in 2020 due to this bill: 1.1 million

Metric tons of global warming pollution that would be prevented by 2020 due to this bill: 190 million

Number of states, including the District of Columbia, that have already adopted renewable electricity standards: 26

Corporate profits made by oil company Exxon Mobile in the first three quarters of 2007: $28.95 billion

Average cost of a gallon of gasoline the week this legislation passed the House: $3.11

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

The Middle Class Supports. This legislation represents a major step toward redirecting U.S. energy usage in a cleaner, more sustainable direction. The bill will save American consumers money at the fuel pump and on their heating bills, reduce air and water pollution, and mitigate the threat of global warming. Like its earlier incarnation, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 this bill recognizes that fossil fuels are not a sustainable option for the nation’s growing energy needs, and that a substantial public investment is needed to jump start the development and promotion of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies. In the short term, this investment would create jobs producing renewable energy and technology. In the long term, new energy sources and more efficient technology promise environmental and public health benefits, as well as lower costs, for the American middle class. The bill also funds the investments in an appropriate way: by repealing taxpayer subsidies to the oil industry, which is already making booming profits at the expense of middle-class consumers.

This legislation also goes beyond what the original CLEAN Energy Act attempted, by establishing a Renewable Electricity Standard and stricter fuel economy standards for cars. These improvements marshal even more of the nation’s resources in support of conservation and a shift toward renewable energy, building on advances already adopted in many states to create a more sustainable energy future for the nation.

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Union of Concerned Scientists Energy Bill Resource Center

“Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost?” from McKinsey and Company

Pew Center on Global Climate Change Policy Center

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

atraub — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:37:08 -0500

Legislation

The middle class

Supports

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Amount this legislation would save U.S. consumers in 2020, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists: $22 billion

Barrels of oil per day that would be saved in 2020 due to this bill: 1.1 million

Metric tons of global warming pollution that would be prevented by 2020 due to this bill: 190 million

Number of states, including the District of Columbia, that have already adopted renewable electricity standards: 26

Corporate profits made by oil company Exxon Mobile in the first three quarters of 2007: $28.95 billion

Average cost of a gallon of gasoline the week this legislation passed the House: $3.11

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

Quotes from Experts

Beyond this Bill

Additional Resources

Union of Concerned Scientists Energy Bill Resource Center

“Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost?” from McKinsey and Company

Job training

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

Legislation

The middle class

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

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Legislation

The middle class

Video Summary

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The middle class

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Middle Class Position Analysis

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Legislation

The middle class

Video Summary

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Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

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Beyond this Bill

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Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

Legislation

The middle class

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

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Beyond this Bill

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Additional Resources

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

Legislation

The middle class

Video Summary

Injustice Facts

Overview/Summary

Middle Class Position Analysis

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Beyond this Bill

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Additional Resources

Green Jobs Act of 2007