August 17, 2007

A day after calling for a suspension of food, toy and pet food imports from China, Senator Chris Dodd sent a letter to President Bush urging him to protect the health and safety of American families by temporarily suspending these imports until the Chinese Government can ensure an adequate inspection procedure has been implemented.

July 26, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, today pledged his commitment to working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop and implement policies that provide all Americans with access to quality, affordable health care and lifetime financial security by signing a pledge presented by Divided We Fail, a partnership formed by AARP, the Business Roundtable and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). 

June 28, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT) today introduced legislation in the Senate and House respectively that would amend the Social Security Act (SSA) to ensure that all individuals suffering from certain terminal diseases are entitled to receive social security disability benefits. Under current law, individuals who contract a covered terminal illness, but have not been part of the workforce for a period of time, do not qualify for social security disability benefits they would otherwise be entitled to. 

 
June 28, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today introduced legislation to expand federal efforts to fight Lyme disease.  The Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act of 2007 would create an Advisory Committee to better fight Lyme disease, and would provide $20 million per year for research, education, prevention, and treatment of this often debilitating disease.

Introduces bill to improve fire safety in nursing homes

June 13, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today introduced The Nursing Home Fire Safety Act of 2007, which would provide low-interest loans and grants to nursing homes that cannot afford the upfront costs of installing automatic sprinkler systems.  Between 20 and 30 percent of the nursing homes in the United States currently lack automatic sprinkler systems, which have the ability to save many lives in the event of a fire.  Congressman John Larson (D-CT) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

June 8, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), along with Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) this week introduced The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007, a bill that promotes children’s mental health and seeks to increase both the quality of and access to services for those affected.  Senators Dodd, Domenici, and Kennedy have a long history of support for mental health initiatives.  Earlier this year the Senators introduced the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation that would provide additional and improved opportunities for public school children to get the mental health services they may need. 

June 7, 2007

“The nomination of James Holsinger demonstrates yet again how this Administration puts politics above the health and well-being of our nation’s citizens. I fear that Dr. Holsinger’s previous comments and actions will prevent him from representing each and every individual – the job of the Surgeon General.  The upcoming nomination hearing process will be an opportunity to formally place Dr. Holsinger’s views on the record.  The Bush Administration should use the position of the Surgeon General to improve and promote the Nation’s public health not to polarize it.”