Dr. Dan makes house calls

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN DAN BENISHEK 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

***************************** ‘Mobile caseworkers’ will be part of Benishek district staff

Iron Mountain doctor plans to make community ‘house calls’

IRON MOUNTAIN, MI – Dr. Dan Benishek, congressman-rlect for Michigan’s First Congressional District, today announced that his congressional office staff would ‘bring the caseworker to the constituent’ as part of new mobile outreach program starting in 2011 when he assumes office.

Benishek will officially be sworn into office on January 5, 2011.

The Iron Mountain surgeon said: “The First Congressional District is one of the largest in the country so simply having a number of offices doesn’t solve the problem of being as accessible as possible to citizens in need. Speaking with other new members and citizens alike, inclines me to think that a mobile caseworker program could effectively bring onstituents services to every part of the district.”

In an effort to effectively serve all the people of Northern Michigan, these community “house calls” by mobile caseworkers will hopefully access all corners of the enormous congressional district, Dr. Benishek observed.

“Our hope is that mobile caseworkers will prove most responsive to constituent needs. In such a vast district, caseworkers will take their services directly to constituents without the high cost of maintaining a myriad of offices. This is certainly an effort worth testing,” said the lifelong Michigan resident.

Benishek said that beginning Monday, January 24, mobile caseworkers will host office hours throughout northern Michigan towns to help constituents navigate federal government bureaucracy.

Benishek said his caseworker staff will have pre-announced office hours in libraries and other publicly accessible facilities to provide assistance on a variety of issues, including resolving problems with Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security benefits, and the Veterans’ Administration.

Benishek’s Washington office will open on January 5, 2011; his Capitol Hill office will retain the telephone number (+1.202.225.4735) of the outgoing member of Congress, US Representative Bart Stupak.

In addition to mobile caseworkers throughout the district, Dr. Benishek said he would establish district offices in Petoskey, Iron Mountain, Marquette, and Gaylord.

The specific addresses and telephone numbers would be released once the general services administration (GSA) approves the locations.

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