Sacramento Metro Chamber's Cap-to-Cap Effort

U.S. Health Secty Sebelius: Reducing hospital-acquired infections, re-admissions will save lives, money

2011-05-09T21:31:17Z

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told 265 delegates of the Sacramento Metro Chamber's Cap-to-Cap program that Medicare and Medicaid will evolve into a "value purchaser" to protect federal dollars by lowering costs and improving outcomes by reducing hospital injuries and readmissions.

Sebelius addressed the delegation at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 9, as the group began three days of extensive promotion of the region, with 244 appointments set up with Congress, the Senate, the Administration and other federal officials and agencies.

The Secretary was introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, who Sebelius credited with taking a leading role in improving health care in America.

Both Sebelius and Matsui took notice of the effort being made by Cap-to-Cap delegates during the five-day event, saying that the dialogue created by the delegates is a "critical part of democracy."

"I can't tell you how important it is to have folks on the ground who run a business, schools, cities and nonprofits to come to the capital and inform those lawmakers on how the (policy) discussions impact the real world," Sebelius said.

Spending most of her time talking about reforms to Medicare and Medicaid, Sebelius said there was "no question," of the need to look at the rising costs of the two federal health care programs whose costs are rising at a faster rate than inflation—but slower than the private market. Her speech then described the difference between a Republican proposal and the Obama Administration's newly launched initiative, where "doing it right costs less than doing it wrong."

She described the Republican party's proposal as one that would cut and shift costs to lower the federal bill. Individuals would get a voucher to purchase health care insurance from private providers.

But the problem with that, she noted, is that in the first year of the GOP plan, the Congressional Budget Office estimates citizens 65 years or older will pay $6,500 out-of-pocket for their insurance. Fairly quickly, Medicare patients would be covering 75 percent of the tab.

The Obama Administration, however, seeks to drive down costs by improving the quality of health care coverage—and, she said, this is already happening in areas across the country.

"What we need to do is create a platform so Medicare will be a value purchaser...this will provide an immense platform to lower costs and improve outcomes."

How the Administration is proposing doing that is through a newly launched program called Partnership for Patients, which Sebelius said will address the problem that a third to a sixth of all patients admitted to hospitals are harmed by what happens there.

Sebelieus rolled out startling statistics: About 100,000 patients die every year because of hospital care and hundreds of thousands spend extra money and time in hospitals because of the care.

Two ambitious goals of Partnership for Patients are to reduce hospital-acquired infections by 40 percent and cutting readmissions by 20 percent, she said.

"Both of those should be zero...to do no harm is the ultimate goal," Sebelius said. "If we achieve the two goals, we can prevent harm to three million people, save 60,000 lives and end up spending $50 billion less...Those are huge numbers and it gives you some idea of the impact."

Already, 2,500 partners and 1,200 hospitals have signed up, she said. "They are committed to achieving the goal. It's not hypothetical now. It's going on now."

Sebelius touched on several other initiatives to lower health care costs and improve outcomes, including sharing of Medicare data with private entrepreneurs to bring to market new applications to improve patient care and as well to help individuals stay healthier by making better choices and taking a role in their own health care.

The Cap-to-Cap program continues through Wednesday. On Tuesday, delegates will hear from former Congressional Budget Officer Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin. On Wednesday, a special Policy Briefing will be held on the Rural-Urban Connection Strategy, with White House Domestic Policy Council Senior Advisor Doug McKalip and U.S. Department of Agriculture Senior Advisor Doug O'Brien, plus a panel of Sacramento region elected officials.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Cap-to-Cap delegates arrive in D.C.: U.S. Health Secretary to speak to chamber group

2011-05-08T17:43:38Z

Nearly 270 Cap-to-Cap delegates arrived in Washington, D.C. this weekend for the Sacramento Metro Chamber's 41st annual advocacy program, May 7-11.

Kicking off the program on Monday will be keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Human and Health Services Kathleen Sebelius. Health care reform and the Sacramento region's groundbreaking community development issues are topics on the agenda.

Secretary Sebelius will speak for about 15 minutes and then do a hefty 15 minutes of direct questions from the chamber's delegation. Considering the immense role that health care plays in our region's economy, Sebelius' appearance is a rare opportunity for the region's business and civic leaders to hear directly from one of the national leaders on a topic that is consuming so much attention.

On Tuesday, the delegation will hear from former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who will speak during the Cap-to-Cap program's Leadership Luncheon on the Hill. As chief economist of the President's Council of Economic Advisers for President George H. Bush, Holtz-Eakin is an expert on federal budget issues.

More than 240 appointments have been set with elected and administrative officials to promote the region's pressing need for more jobs and infrastructure improvement.

"Our priority again is jobs," said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO. "That's framed out in our hundreds of appointments where we'll lobby for how the federal government can accelerate the rate of innovation and technology development and provide the private sector with regulatory relief."

Local coverage of the program and interviews with delegates are being reported by NewsTalk 1530 KFBK morning anchor Ed Crane. He will report at 5:18 and 7:18 a.m. PDT and other times during the morning. Visit http://bit.ly/KFBKCAP for details.

Program details and 70 Cap-to-Cap issue papers can be found at metrochamber.org/captocap.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Cap-to-Cap Delegates message to D.C.: Accelerate innovation, create jobs

2011-04-27T21:42:22Z

With Sacramento region’s jobless rate above 12 percent, delegates for the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual four-day Capitol-to-Capitol to Washington, D.C., will advocate for specific ways how the federal government can accelerate the rate of innovation and technology development, provide the private sector with regulatory relief and create much-needed jobs.

“Innovation is critical to the health and well-being of this country and it’s the cornerstone to our region’s economy,” said 2011 Cap-to-Cap Chair Tim Murphy 2011 of GenCorp. “Innovation drives ideas and business opportunities that attract investment and create jobs. These new jobs, in turn, generate tax revenue and grow the economy.”

Nearly three hundred delegates—including the region’s elected officials—will visit the nation’s capital on May 7-11 during the Metro Chamber’s 41st Cap-to-Cap program.

“The Metro Chamber believes that solving the federal budget crisis will take shared responsibility among the public and private sector,” Murphy add. “It is incumbent on the federal government to jump start the innovation economy by providing real regulatory relief and implementing real federal government reforms.”

Over the course of four days, Metro Chamber delegates will present dozens of policy papers from 14 teams to members of Congress, the Obama Administration and other federal officials. Other top regional priorities are securing immediate funding to provide flood protection, highway and transit projects in the six-county region.”

In addition, delegates will discuss policy issues with two dozen think tanks such as the Alliance for Excellent Education, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Metro Chamber President & CEO Matthew Mahood, in fact, will be a panelist during a Brookings Institute presentation on sustainable communities strategies. The meetings with the think tanks and other groups represent a new strategy in advocacy that the Cap-to-Cap program is using to promote the region’s needs.

“Because we have nearly 300 participating delegates from across the region—in both the private and public sector—we have an amazing degree of unity to get our region’s economy moving faster. Our ability to collaborate for action at the local level like the recent outpouring of support for the Sacramento Kings is reflected as well at the national level in our Cap-to-Cap work,” Mahood said. “Our 14 teams will promote an amazing array of projects that will benefit this region and create more jobs.” Here’s a sampling of those projects:

• $30 million for the development of the Sacramento campus of the Public Safety Command Training Centers.

• $11 million to repair levees protecting Knights Landing, Verona, Nicolas and 93,000 acres of high-value farmland.

• $7 million in additional funds to modify the Folsom Dam.

• $1 million to evaluate levees protecting West Sacramento.

• $5 million on second phase repairs of the Marysville Ring Levee protecting 12,700 residents.

• Additional federal help for fixing Natomas levees that protect 80,000 people, $8 billion in property, the Sacramento International Airport, Union Pacific Railroad and Interstates 5 and 80 and other highways.

• Full funding for the Emergency Food & Shelter Program, which in 2010 served 197,000 meals and provided shelter, hotel vouchers, utility assistance and rent/mortgage assistance.

• $4 million for adding two lanes to the Lincoln Bypass in Placer County.

• $25 million for the 15-mile-long Placer Parkway in Placer County to connect State Route 65 to State Routes 70 and 99.

• $10 million to widen Douglas Road and White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova.

• $3 million to add an extra lane east and westbound on Highway 50 between Bradshaw Boulevard and Mather Field Road.

• $5 million to widen Hazel Avenue in Sacramento County.

• $5 million for improving congested interchanges near Placerville.

• $13.3 million for the Silva Valley Interchange in El Dorado County.

• $20 million for phase two of the Sacramento Valley Station improvements, including renovation of the historic Union Pacific depot.

• $45 million for expansion of the Light Rail South Line 4.2 miles to Cosumnes River College.

• $32 million to improve safety and increase speeds on the Capitol Corridor train to the Bay Area.

• Streamline permitting by federal agencies for alternative energy projects—wind, solar, biomass—in California.

• Congressional support for creating a joint green energy project between the Defense Department’s Renewable Energy Testing Center in Sacramento and the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Cabazon Resource Recovery Project that contains a biomass electric plan, a tire recycling plant, a soil recycling plant and a biomass gasification plant. Research completed at the RETC in Sacramento would be put into operation at a commercial scale for demonstration at the Cabazon facility.

• Preservation of 2012 Farm Bill resources for food safety, organic food access, and research to scale-up organic food farming methods.

• Funding for Los Rios Colleges to train an additional 75 individuals to be certified home energy auditors.

“We are still registering delegates for Cap-to-Cap,” Mahood said. “We invite the business community and civic leaders to join us and help us bring back our fair share of federal tax dollars for the Sacramento region.”

For more information and to view the entire policy agenda and issue papers, visit metrochamber.org/captocap.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Local transportation projects winning fed grants are Cap-to-Cap priorities

2010-08-03T17:51:33Z

Two local transportation projects that were part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber 2010 Capitol-to-Capitol advocacy program have received Congressional funding.

The city of Sacramento will receive $500,000 for improvements to the Sacramento Valley Station. The funds will help construct access for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists for the Amtrak, Capitol Corridor, light rail and bus station.

The county of Sacramento will receive $400,000 to upgrade the Highway 50 interchange at Watt Avenue, where the initial segment of a bus rapid transit system will be installed, linking it with light rail and making the congested area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The announcements were made by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento.

“Beyond the jobs the actual construction projects create, these improvements will increase mobility by connecting many different transportation modes and, in the long run, help to improve the quality of life in our region,” said Michael Faust, Metro Chamber senior vice president for public policy and economic development. “These two projects have been part of the Metro Chamber’s ongoing Capitol-to-Capitol advocacy efforts. The federal grant process is increasingly competitive, and our region’s success is due to efforts of project specialists and the efforts of more than 300 business and government leaders each year who participate in the Cap-to-Cap program.”

The Sacramento Valley Station and the Highway 50/Watt Avenue interchange projects were identified by the Cap-to-Cap transportation team delegation as the region’s highest federal funding priorities, and their inclusion in the House-approved fiscal year 2011 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill reflects the Cap-to-Cap program’s success in fostering regional collaboration to secure federal funds for Sacramento’s six-county, 22-city region.

View the Metro Chamber’s advocacy papers on 2010 Cap-to-Cap transportation issues here.

Energy Secty tells Cap-to-Cappers: Region's unity brings home stimulus funds

2010-04-21T12:21:31Z

WASHINGTON D.C.—U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu told Sacramento Metro Chamber Cap-to-Cap delegation that the region’s collaborative efforts have been “instrumental” to the success of leveraging $200 million in stimulus funds for clean energy projects and $127 million for the Sacramento smart grid project—“one of the largest awards of its kind in the country.”

Speaking in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, Chu addressed the delegation of 300 from the Sacramento region, currently here in the nation’s capital on the annual advocacy program, working together to lobby for the six-county region’s top priorities.

Introducing his remarks, Chu said the Obama administration is currently creating policy to provide the nation with energy security and taking steps to turn the country into a clean energy leader—to position it ahead of countries like China that are now scrambling to do the same.

Quoting President Obama, Chu said “the future of our economy and nation’s security are inextricably linked to one challenge—energy.”

Calling clean technology and green energy the “next industrial revolution,” Chu said, “We will not give up leadership. We will be exporting these technologies and not importing them.”

“Ultimately, wind and solar will be powering our country by the next century,” he said, with power both stored locally in new batteries and also dispatched over long distances. Needed, however, are development of new liquid metal batteries that can be as small as a laptop battery or as large as a swimming pool. Also, a new power grid distribution system needs building.

He strongly advocates for retaining the making of solar panels and other new technology in the United States. “If the U.S. doesn’t pay attention to nuture manufacturing in the U.S., we will continue to lose the technology lead and prosperity.

Chu detailed other impending technologies—biomass, biofuels, the smart grid—all which are sectors where the Sacramento region is currently leading and developing.

Over the course of the four-day program, Cap-to-Cap delegates held nearly 250 meetings with elected and agency officials. Of those, nearly two dozen were held to promote efforts to make the Sacramento region the Green Capital of the U.S.

In welcoming delegates, Rep. Doris Matsui—who hosted the meeting with Chu—noted that delegation “is advocating for the right issues,” that “clean technology and green energy” are now a national priority and that Sacramento has the building blocks to be a national leader and needs to “seize the moment.”

U.S. Energy Secty. Steven Chu makes remarks to 300 Cap-to-Cap delegates in the Cannon House Building on Capitol Hill. Photo by Rudy Meyers

CIA Director tells Cap-to-Cap delegates: Cyber attack could be next “Pearl Harbor”

2010-04-20T14:16:55Z

WASHINGTON D.C.—Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta told 300 Sacramento Metro Chamber Cap-to-Cap delegates that the next “Pearl Harbor” is likely to be an attack on the United States’ power, financial, military and other Internet systems.

Panetta addressed the Sacramento delegation that includes 43 elected officials and hundreds of business and civic leaders who are in Washington D.C. for the annual program that advocates for the region’s most pressing policy issues. He spoke on Monday, April 19, during the Cap-to-Cap opening breakfast.

“Cyber terrorism” is a new area of concern for the CIA, Panetta said. The United States faces thousands of cyber attacks daily on its Internet networks. The attacks are originating in Russia, China, Iran and from even hackers.

“The next Pearl Harbor is likely to be a cyber attacking going after our grid…and that can literally cripple this country,” Panetta said. “This is a whole new area of threat.”

But cyber terrorism is just one of four primary missions for Panetta, who took over directing the CIA last year after appointment by President Obama. The CIA is also focusing on counter-terrorism, reducing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and fighting narcotics trafficking.

Al Qaeda is becoming a viscous target, and as CIA and military operations tamp it down in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, the terrorist elements are moving to places like Somalia, Yemen and North Africa—as well changing its tactics, he said.

“The president’s direction…is we must dismantle and destroy Al Qaeda and its known elements,” he said. “It’s a fundamental mission….The primary effort takes place in Pakistan and tribal areas. We are now focused on Afghanistan and have increased our presence there.”

Meanwhile, CIA is working to help Iraqis fight Al Qaeda. “Even as our military draws down in Iraq, we’ll keep our presence there…to provide intelligence to the Iraqis so they can secure their own country.”

Worrisome, he added, is how Al Qaeda is “coming at us in other ways.” These include using individuals who have clean records and are not being tracked; individuals who are already in the U.S.A. and in contact with Al Qaeda; and individuals who decided to “self-radicalize” and are easily and quickly recruited as terrorists.

Previously, Panetta served as a congressional representative from the Monterey area, rising to the House Budget committee chair, and then latter as President Clinton’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

“I’ve spent most of my life on budget issues,” he said, noting the “work we did eventually produced a balanced budget for the country.” When he’s asked why he took on the job at the CIA, he told the group, “Because considering the size of the federal deficit, I’d rather fight Al Qaeda.”

Photo: Leon Panetta addresses 300 Cap-to-Cap delegates Monday in Washington D.C. Photo by Rudy Meyers

Metro Chamber’s Cap-to-Cap effort concludes flurry of meetings to advance region’s issues with nation’s top leaders

2009-04-30T21:55:01Z

The nearly 300 delegates participating in the Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort returned home April 29 after 2 ½ days of advocating for the region in Washington, D.C. and meeting with federal elected and government officials.

Metro Chamber President & CEO Matt Mahood summarized the effort this way:

“This trip is the region's best example of a public/private partnership. With nearly 300 attendees—almost 50 elected officials and dozens of staff members from various cities, counties and special districts coming together with business and labor leaders to advance a unified regional agenda.”

He called the effort “Sacramento region’s competitive advantage,” saying “ this year's delegation may be smaller than years past, but without question remains just as mighty—and in some ways more focused than previous efforts.” Still at, nearly 300 participants it remains the largest effort of its kind in the nation. View the issues delegates advocated on at www.metrochamber.org/captocap.

Over the course of Cap-to-Cap, delegates:

• Conducted over 220 individual meetings with 33 separate congressional offices, 63 different federal agencies offices and 20 different congressional committees

• Advocated on behalf of 91 separate policy and appropriations items

• Heard from four of our region's Congressional Representatives Dan Lungren, Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson and our newest member of the delegation, Tom McClintock. “This is the first time in recent memory we have had a clean sweep of the delegation,” Mahood said.

• Briefed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Director of the National Economic Council & Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Dr. Lawrence Summers

• Conducted a Health Care Policy Workshop that examined health care both the reform discussion and what the policy decisions here meant to our region. “We learned important information about our region’s single largest private sector employer and what the issue of health care reform means to them and our business community .”

• Met with a chief technology officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy

• Met with the top civilian with the Army Corps of Engineers

• Met with California’s Sen. Barbara Boxer

• Had three separate meetings with the White House Office of Management & Budget

• Met U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee Chairman, Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minnesota

• Made sure that the professional lobbyists and association representatives that live and work in Washington, representing our local governments, our state government, critical trade associations were made better aware our regions issues

• Clean Green team interviewed by media seven times

• Health Care/Biosciences team interviewed by media six times

• Conducted 15 interviews with the press on an assortment issues ranging from transportation and water resources to economic development

• Used Twitter and Facebook to provide updates during the trip

Annual Cap-to-Cap effort looks to capture more federal stimulus funds: Delegates leave this week for annual Washington, D.C. advocacy work

2009-04-22T16:15:28Z

With billions more in federal stimulus funds waiting to be allocated, nearly 300 participants from the Sacramento region leave for Washington, D.C. this week for the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort. The group will be in the nation’s capital April 25-29, participating in well over 200 meetings with elected officials and government agencies.

While their main mission will be to secure more American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, the delegates—who represent businesses and jurisdictions in the six-county region—will also advocate on four top priorities: flood protection and water resources, transportation, economic development and health care. These issues have the greatest impact on the region’s businesses and have received ongoing attention by Cap-to-Cap delegates over the years.

“Business and civic leaders attend Cap-to-Cap because the effort has a decades’ long track record of accomplishment,” said Matt Mahood president & CEO. “The advocacy effort truly makes a difference for the region. Cap-to-Cap offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for business and civic leaders to meet their counterparts in the nation’s capital.”

With more than 200 meetings planned with elected officials and government representatives in Washington, D.C., the large turnout of Cap-to-Cap delegates bolsters the region’s advocacy efforts there year-round. In all, the Metro Chamber has 12 policy teams prepped for the Cap-to-Cap effort, each with a series of issue papers that explain our region’s concerns to national leaders. Teams include aviation, small business, clean and green, natural resources and workforce, among others. All of the issues papers can be viewed at metrochamber.org/captocap.

Delegates this year will be reporting on their activities through social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook fan page is Cap to Cap, A Sacramento Metro Chamber Event. You’ll find information about the event, photos and delegate chatter. You can also follow “CaptoCap” on Twitter for the latest updates.

Metro Chamber Cap-to-Cap effort more vital, needed than ever

2009-04-02T19:02:14Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort takes on high stakes this year as the Sacramento region is competing with many other regions from around the country for critical infrastructure and Federal Stimulus funds.

Historically, the Metro Chamber has led the largest delegation of its kind to the nation’s capital—with participation as high as 410 delegates from six-counties. Set for April 25-29, this is the 39th annual Capitol-to-Capitol Trip to Washington, D.C.

“Previous Cap-to-Cap efforts have achieved notable success—helping make the case for funding of many vital infrastructure projects,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “We are successful not only because of the large size of our delegation, but by the region’s collaborative approach that is recognized and well respected by our nation’s leaders.”

One such Cap-to-Cap success is the just-opened $139 million Folsom Lake Crossing Bridge that replaces a heavily commuted roadway across the Folsom Dam that was closed because of security concerns after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“The important ‘Matsui-Doolittle Compromise’—which resolved highly contended issues on flood protection and funding—was heavily influenced by the Metro Chamber and its Cap-to-Cap effort,” Mahood said. “After a decision was reached to build the bridge, we needed to get the required funding—and the Metro Chamber, working with the SACOG and the city of Folsom, spent several years working in Washington, D.C., and at the State Capitol.” Much of the local funding came from renewal of the Measure A half-cent sales tax, also a Metro Chamber-supported initiative.

Mahood called the bridge opening last Saturday a “proud achievement” for the region—made possible by excellent business advocacy and communications in partnership with local, state and federal officials.

“The Folsom Lake Crossing is a prime example of what can happen when the region’s economic needs are put first,” Mahood said. “Right now, there are many similar projects needing public-private cooperation, and with Federal Stimulus funding on the table to pay for all or part of them—the time is ripe for heightened advocacy by our region. Our upcoming Cap-to-Cap effort, historically—as seen by the new bridge—is one of the best ways to set our region apart and to achieve federal funding.”

More than previous years, when the Metro Chamber’s contingent advocates on Capitol Hill, the region will need to demonstrate a high level of regional participation and collaboration.

“There’s a new administration with all new staff and significant turnover on Capitol Hill and a large number of communities showing up in D.C. to make their case,” said Michael Faust, senior vice president for public policy and economic development. “We must make a significant impression this year, that’s why—despite whatever difficulties our economy might pose—jurisdictions and business need to make the investment, get involved and help us bring home the funding and support business-friendly federal policies. The funding secured in D.C. equates to real jobs in our communities.”

Trip Chair Judy D’Amico, a Project Lead the Way director, calls the effort, “one of the region’s most valuable resources.”

“Few other activities bring together so many leaders to work on so many issues for the region’s greater good,” D’Amico said, noting nearly 200 meetings with members of the House, Senate and federal officials are held. “That’s why participation from all sectors is vital. The delegates make things happen.”

Participants can still join this year’s Cap-to-Cap effort. Registration information can be found online at metrochamber.org/captocap or by contacting Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org.