Because of the Affordable Care Act, for the first time starting January 2014, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying health coverage for the up to 129 million Americans – including up to 7.8 million adults and children in Florida – with pre-existing conditions, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Florida has the fourth highest number of individuals… Read more »

A report today shows that states fully participating in the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act have significantly boosted access to medical care for their citizens. The report states that applications increased by 15 percent in October compared to the average monthly enrollment in July – September. “While other states have put their tax dollars to work to provide… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) today visited an independent bookshop in Tampa to champion local Small Businesses at the start of the holiday shopping season. Since 2010, Small Business Saturday has been promoted as a day to support local businesses during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Read more »

During an event hosted today by the local chapter for Women in Defense, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) outlined the harm that sequestration continues to have on the defense industry and other economic engines across the country and in Tampa Bay. Many members present at the event knew all too well the negative impacts of sequester cuts and expressed their experiences… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) and a bipartisan group of Congressional members are urging adoption of legislation filed today to provide relief from flood insurance increases and to continue reforms to ensure financial stability in the fund that provides a national backstop for flood disasters. “This bipartisan breakthrough will benefit thousands of… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg) is urging Congress to pass a bill designed to spur job creation and economic growth by making smart investments to improve our nation’s ports and other key water infrastructure. Read more »

“You will become part of the 1 percent if you decide to pursue this,” MacDill Airforce Base Commander Colonel Scott DeThomas said to encourage a crowd of more than 100 students as he kicked off the program for Academy Day 2013. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor hosts Academy Day every year to give local students an opportunity to learn more about the service academies as they prepare their… Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor (Fla. District 14) released the following statement on passing of Congressman Bill Young: "Tampa Bay is mourning the passing of Congressman Bill Young, but celebrates his life as a leader who for decades has been passionate about our community, especially MacDill Air Force Base, our military members, veterans and their families. My thoughts and prayers are… Read more »

The government shutdown is having harmful impacts on veterans across the Tampa Bay area and the entire country. A comprehensive FAQ on the Shutdown’s Effect on Veterans Affairs is available here If the shutdown continues into late October, veterans benefits will be suspended, veterans’ appeals for disability benefits halted and VA National Cemeteries will conduct a reduced number of… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement today upon the passing of Dottie Berger MacKinnon: Read more »