Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Burr Calls on Seniors to Enroll in Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Before May 15 Deadline
Senator Richard Burr today called on North Carolina's seniors to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan to best serve their health care needs. This year every American with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage was given access to prescription drug coverage under the new Medicare Part D program if they sign up. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 69% of North Carolina's M… Continue Reading
04.06.06
Burr Introduces Biodefense Legislation
Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness, has introduced the Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2006. The legislation would provide the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the additional authorities and resources necessary to build partnerships to rapidly develop drugs and vaccines to protect citizens from deliberate, accidental and natural medical incidents involving biological pathogens, su… Continue Reading
04.05.06
Burr Announces $1.4 Million for Advanced Vehicle Research Center of North Carolina
Senator Richard Burr today announced the release of $1,485,000 in federal funding for the Advanced Vehicle Research Center of North Carolina. The funding will be used to develop technologies for hydrogen and ethanol fueled vehicles. The United States Department of Energy awarded the funds. "U.S. Department of Energy funds will help North Carolina conserve energy and be a trend setter in helping develop emerging technologies and alternative fuels," said Senator Burr. The U.S. … Continue Reading
04.05.06
Burr Hosts Roundtable on Improvements to Federal Medical Preparedness and Response
At a Senate Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness roundtable, Senator Richard Burr today brought together experts to discuss the need for all-hazards medical preparedness and response, including bioterrorism and natural disasters such as bird flu or a major hurricane. The roundtable, entitled All-Hazards Medical Preparedness and Response, addressed how to improve the federal medical response to disasters of all kinds and included representatives from the Departments of He… Continue Reading
04.04.06
Burr Announces Over $23 Million in Ryan White CARE Act Funding
Senator Richard Burr today announced $23,923,444 for Ryan White CARE Act funding. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the funding to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will assist the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the Emerging Communities program. ADAP helps impoverished HIV and AIDS patients get their necessary medication. The Emerging Communities program allows North Carolina to address urban communities… Continue Reading
03.28.06
Senator Richard Burr: “We must act now to improve our public health system.”
At a Senate Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness roundtable, Senator Richard Burr today renewed his call for improvements to our public health infrastructure. The roundtable, entitled Public Health Preparedness in the 21st Century, studied how to further develop public health systems and recruit, train, and retain a prepared public health workforce able to respond to national threats, be they accidental, deliberate or naturally occurring. "We must act now to impr… Continue Reading
03.24.06
President Bush signs into law Burr’s Bill to Provide More Flexibility in Education
- Today President George W. Bush signed into law Senator Richard Burr's bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Education Flexibility Partnership Act (Ed-Flex). Ed-Flex was created in 1999 to allow states, like North Carolina with strong assessment and accountability systems to waive certain federal education requirements that may impede local efforts to reform and improve education. "I am pleased President Bush signed this important piece of legislation into law. Ed-Flex has playe… Continue Reading
03.24.06
Burr Announces Federal Grant Workshop in Washington, D.C.
Senator Richard Burr today announced he will sponsor a federal grant workshop in Washington, D.C. to focus on access to federal grants for fire departments and rescue squads not affiliated with a hospital. The workshop will be held on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 10:00 AM in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The workshop is part of Burr's North Carolina Economic Development series to make North Carolina more competitive in the federal arena. This workshop aims to… Continue Reading
03.16.06
Burr Calls for Improved Public Health Preparedness
At today's hearing on the reauthorization of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, Senator Richard Burr called on the Senate to fix problems and build upon past successes to significantly improve our Nation's public health and medical preparedness for and response. "The Act of 2002 clearly made improvements in our preparedness after the terrorist attacks on September 11th and the anthrax mailings," Senator Burr told the committee. "Ho… Continue Reading
03.16.06
Burr Announces Visits Over March Recess
Senator Richard Burr will visit Alamance, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Forsyth, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, and Wake Counties during the March Recess. Burr will visit health clinics, schools, businesses, and civic groups. During the recess week, Burr will host a roundtable to discuss the Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization with health care officials and participate in a Dare County Emergency Preparedness event to discuss hurricane preparedness. He wi… Continue Reading
03.14.06
Burr Provides Q & A on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
The beginning of 2006 brought major improvements to Medicare. Every American with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage was given access to prescription drug coverage. As the May 15 deadline for seniors to sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage without penalty quickly approaches, I want to provide answers to commonly asked questions. Starting any new program can be frustrating. It is understandable to have questions about what the new coverage … Continue Reading
03.07.06
Burr Announces $2.3 Million for Wake Forest University
Senator Richard Burr today announced $2,335,301 in United States Department of Health and Human Services funding for Wake Forest University Health Sciences. The funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will be used to fund research on heart and vascular diseases. "Wake Forest University is a world leader in health care research and medical innovation," said Senator Burr. "This funding will help the school continue its innovative research in heart and vascula… Continue Reading
03.07.06
Burr Introduces Bill to Encourage Greater Health Care Insurance Coverage
- Senator Richard Burr today introduced health insurance legislation to provide an above-the-line tax deduction for individuals who purchase their own health insurance or long-term-care insurance. "Everyone should have access to affordable health care," Burr said. "By providing a tax deduction to those who purchase their own health or long-term care insurance, we can help lower the number of people who do not have coverage by making insurance costs more affordable." T… Continue Reading
03.07.06
Senator Richard Burr Statement on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Coming to Charlotte
"This is good news for the Charlotte area and for North Carolina. Not only has an important part of our history been recognized, but the hard work of local officials and supporters has paid off. Racing fans throughout the world will soon travel to Charlotte to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, bringing jobs and economic growth with them. I look forward to visiting the Hall of Fame and I congratulate everyone involved."… Continue Reading
03.07.06
Burr Announces $350,000 for Elizabeth City State University
Senator Richard Burr today announced $350,000 in federal funding for Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the funds through the Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program. This program provides assistance to communities, especially for people living in low to moderate income areas impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. "These funds will suppo… Continue Reading
03.06.06
Burr Introduces and Senate Passes Bi-Partisan Bill to Provide More Flexibility in Education
- Senator Richard Burr yesterday introduced legislation to reauthorize the Education Flexibility Partnership Act (Ed-Flex). Ed-Flex was created in 1999 to allow states, like North Carolina with strong assessment and accountability systems to waive certain federal education requirements that may impede local efforts to reform and improve education. The bi-partisan bill, which had 16 co-sponsors, was passed by the full Senate Thursday evening. "Ed-Flex has played a vital role in North … Continue Reading
03.02.06
Burr Announces Funding for Madison and Swain Counties
Senator Richard Burr today announced $124,000 in federal funding for Madison and Swain Counties. The funding for the Town of Hot Springs in Madison County will provide a loan of $6,000 and a grant of $18,000 to purchase a new truck for the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department. The funding for Swain County will provide a loan of $75,000 and a grant of $25,000 to purchase a new truck needed for rescue services. The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Project awarded th… Continue Reading
03.01.06
Burr Announces Over $9 Million in Federal Funding for North Carolina Airports
Senator Richard Burr today announced the release of $9,209,414 in federal funding for Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Fayetteville Regional Airport/Grannis Field, and Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville. The funding will be used for airport expansion, infrastructure improvements and rehabilitation of airport facilities. The United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration awarded the funds. "FAA funds will bring more economic growth and developme… Continue Reading
02.24.06
Burr Announces Military Academy Nominations
Senator Richard Burr today announced his nominations of thirty-six North Carolinians to serve at one of our nation's military academies. The nominees were selected after an application and interview process with Senator Burr's Academy Selection Committee, made up of military academy graduates, veterans and community leaders throughout the state. The nominees are listed by the academy to which they have been nominated, along with their high school, hometown and parents' names. United States … Continue Reading
02.23.06
Senator Richard Burr Cites Need to Learn Lessons from Hurricane Katrina Response
"The White House report on the federal response to Hurricane Katrina is a straightforward review of what went wrong, and, more importantly, the lessons learned. This report outlines 125 specific recommendations to improve disaster response. And of specific concern to North Carolinians, it also includes eleven actions to be completed by the first day of the upcoming hurricane season, June 1st. Hurricane Katrina showed us the public health risks associated with the aftermath of a major natu… Continue Reading
