As most already know, the House of Representatives narrowly approved the much-talked about Health Care Reform bill (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) in a 219 to 212 vote on Sunday night that landed the bill on the President’s desk. Obama signed the bill into law on Tuesday. A few days later, a separate reconciliation measure – a sort of fix-it bill that amends some of the provisions in the new law – was addressed by Congress and is expected to become law soon. The House bill was full of health care improvements which became necessary after Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts Senate race and shifted the balance of power in the Upper Chamber by eating into the Democrats’ filibuster-proof 60-seat majority. Instead of pursuing a conference of the conflicting House and Senate versions of the Health Care legislation that was most assuredly doomed because of the Democrats’ diminished power, Obama and Democratic leaders opted to get the Senate version of the bill passed in the House unchanged then follow that measure with the House health care enhancements bill that addressed many House concerns with the Senate version. The gambit worked and the Reconciliation Health Care bill cleared Congress late Thursday and was sent to the President for his signature. Obama has hailed the new health care law as a codification of "the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care." But what does it mean for union members and in particular, for the M.E.B.A.?

The late Sunday vote prompted AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to proclaim it a "momentous step toward comprehensive health care." He admitted that the bill is not perfect but stated that "we are realistic enough to know it’s time for the deliberations to stop and for progress to begin. And we are idealistic enough to believe this is an opportunity to change history we can’t afford to miss."

Union members helped improve the prospects of the bill by throughout the process by mobilizing members and providing a strong and visible counterpoint to the insurance giants’ television and lobbying blitz. Union members made more than 4 million phone calls and sent more than 1 million e-mail messages to lawmakers. Leaders flew to Washington, D.C., and visited members of Congress in their districts, making more than 10,000 contacts.

In addition, canvassers from Working America talked to more than 210,000 people about health care at their front doors, generating 30,000 health care petition signatures, 31,000 phone calls to Congress, 40,000 e-mail messages and 75,000 hand-written letters urging lawmakers to pass health care reform. In the days leading up to the vote, union members and leaders were on Capitol Hill and at representatives’ home district offices urging wavering lawmakers to back the health care bill.

Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning has announced that the 2010 CAA Reunion will take flight at the Calhoon School from June 25-27. The Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD has been secured on June 25th for the golf tournament that tees off a weekend of fun-filled events. The all-day picnic is set for Saturday, June 26th on the Manor House lawn at the School in Easton. Active and retired members and M.E.B.A. friends and families are encouraged to do themselves a favor and come on out! This weekend is for everyone in the M.E.B.A. family, not just graduates of the Calhoon cadet program. There will be wall-to-wall activities, food, fun and plenty of old friends and shipmates. Don’t miss it.

All details, event forms, donation forms, etc. may be found on the Alumni page of the school's website at http://www.mebaschool.org.  Please pass the word along to all friends, shipmates, and classmates (sailing or not). Questions and comments can be forwarded to Mike Fanning at caa2010@mebaschool.org.

In response to a boatload of comments to the agency earlier this year, the Coast Guard is revisiting it approach that it earlier proposed concerning the implementation of the 1995 Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978.

The Coast Guard had published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the implementation of the amendments late last year and held five public hearings. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently developing amendments to the STCW Convention that are expected to be adopted at a diplomatic conference in June 2010. If adopted, these amendments will change the minimum training requirements for seafarers. They are expected to enter into force in January 2012 for all countries that are party to the STCW Convention.

Because of the massive response during the Coast Guard comment period, the agency is reviewing its approach as earlier outlined and is considering publishing a Supplemental NPRM as a next step.

M.E.B.A. submitted comments in February taking issue with proposals in the NPRM that would lower existing standards and have a negative effect on maritime safety or prove onerous to mariners such as overreaching medical requirements.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially accepted the proposal to designate waters off North American coasts as an Emission Control Area (ECA). Large ships operating in ECAs must use dramatically cleaner fuel and technology, which regulators say will lead to major air quality and public health benefits that extend hundreds of miles inland. The ECA was proposed in March 2009.

"This is a change that will benefit millions of people and set in motion new innovations for the shipping industry. We’re gratified by the IMO’s decision to help keep our air clean and our communities healthy," said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. "The sulfur, particulate emissions and other harmful pollutants from large ships reach from our ports to communities hundreds of miles inland -- bringing with them health, environmental and economic burdens. Cleaning up our shipping lanes will be a boon to communities across North America."

The large commercial ships that visit the nation’s ports, most flying the flags of other countries, currently use fuel with very high sulfur content which, when burned, emits harmful levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide that can travel hundreds of miles inland. Ships make more than 57,000 calls at more than 100 U.S. ports annually. More than 30 of these ports are in metropolitan areas that fail to meet federal air quality standards. In total, nearly 127 million people currently live in areas that fail to meet U.S. air quality standards.

EPA says enforcing the stringent ECA standards will reduce sulfur content in fuel by 98 percent - slashing particulate matter emissions by 85 percent, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 80 percent. To achieve these reductions, tougher sulfur standards will phase in starting in 2012, ultimately reaching no more than 1,000 parts per million by 2015. Also, new ships must use advanced emission control technologies beginning in 2016 which will help reduce NOx emissions.

M.E.B.A. Port Engineers are needed immediately in both New Orleans and Jacksonville for LMSR work with ASM/Patriot.

Members should e-mail their resumes as soon as possible to Baltimore Branch Agent Tom Suneson at tsuneson@mebaunion.org as well as ASM/Patriot’s Lisa Hernandez at crewing@ASMHQ.com.

The M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Park still has room for more laser engraved bricks! These bricks do not only beautify the park located on Calhoon School grounds in Easton, MD, they are permanent monuments dedicated to people and events that will endure for generations. The bricks are still $100.00.

In addition, a 3.5" square terracotta tile replica may also be purchased for $10.50. The tile is laser engraved with the same content as the donated brick. Most brick donors enjoy having this small replica to display and show to others. Benches are still needed for the park. These also have an engraved plaque attached, engraved with your dedication. Prices for benches are available upon request.

All donations to the MMMMF are tax deductible. Please contact Anne Higgins: (410) 822-9600 Ext. 338 - ahiggins@mebaschool.org for more information and price quotes.

Liberty Maritime is seeking résumés from Chief Engineers interested in sailing for the company. Interested individuals should send their particulars including a résumé via e-mail to personnel@libertymar.com.  You may also contact Nina Timonina at (516) 488-8800 with any specific questions about these opportunities.

Monday, April 5 – Boston; Jacksonville; Seattle;
Tuesday, April 6 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, April 7 – Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, April 8 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, April 9 – Honolulu.