It is an honor to represent you in our diverse community of California's 51st congressional district.  I wholeheartedly welcome you to your community forum, a place where you can share your thoughts with me.  I hope to hear about issues that are important to you--and your ideas for making our neighborhoods better places to live!

You can learn more about my thoughts on issues that concern you by visiting my "On the Issues" page.  If you need help cutting through federal red tape, please pay a visit to my casework page.  Are you a student?  You may also want to stop by my students page.  I am trying to provide a variety of services to constituents; my office is here to help you!

Sincerely,
Bob Filner

Swine Flu Information Resources

Below are some resources for those seeking information about the global swine flu outbreak.

Effective May 1, 2009, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has activated a toll-free swine flu hotline in English and Spanish.  Assistance in other languages is also available.

The phone number is 1-888-865-0564.

CDPH’s swine flu hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For additional information, please refer to the CDPH website at www.cdph.ca.gov.

RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Swine Influenza 
Provides general information, frequently asked questions (in English and Spanish), updated cases of infection by state, travel notices and press briefings
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Department of Health and Human Services – PandemicFlu.gov: Swine Flu
            Questions About Swine Flu
            URL: http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/

Department of Homeland Security – Joint Press Briefing on Swine Influenza
Transcript of the April 26 press briefing with officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and the White House
URL: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/
         pr_1240773850207.shtm

Department of Agriculture – USDA Outreach Efforts
Includes statements by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack regarding USDA outreach efforts regarding swine flu and frequently asked questions
URL: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/
         7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&co

Department of State – Travel Alerts
Travel Alert to Mexico (4/27/09)
URL: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/
         pa/pa_3028.html

World Health Organization – Swine Influenza
Provides the latest information about the WHO’s global response to swine influenza outbreaks
URL: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/
         en/index.html

U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Attending Physician – Swine Flu Information
Statement to the Congressional Community regarding swine flu
URL: http://attendingphysician.house.gov/
         SWIN%20Flu.html

View Photos From My Recent Visit to Our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

*Bob Filner's Statement on Walter Reed Army Medical Center**

It is high time the Pentagon admits its mistake and takes action to improve outpatient care at Walter Reed.  The removal of the three top officials overseeing Walter Reed at the Pentagon is only the first step in accepting responsibility for the treatment of our wounded soldiers.

The events reported at Walter Reed were a break in faith with our troops. We must be able to rely on the chain of command in order to address the serious problems not only at Walter Reed, but at the military facilities across the country.

My concerns are focused on how we serve our troops when they turn from the Pentagon to the VA for their healthcare. In order for our troops to experience the seamless transition they deserve, the bureaucratic problems that prevent many from getting the care they need must be fixed.

I am committed to preventing similar situations to Walter Reed from striking the VA system. Clearly, we need an oversight and inspection system that is separate from the agency that is being overseen.”

Calculate what privatized Social Security will mean to you!