U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement today following the news that the first non-travel related case of Zika has been reported in Pinellas County: Read more »

Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14)and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) visited with patients and families of St. Joseph’s Children’s Chronic-Complex to update the progress of the ACE Kids Act in Congress and build momentum on getting it passed this year. Read more »

Today the Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health convened a legislative hearing on the ACE Kids Act. The ACE Kids Act, HR. 546, was first introduced in the 113th Congress and subsequently in the 114th Congress by Reps. Joe Barton (R-TX), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Gene Green (R-TX), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), and David Reichert (R-WA). Read more »

In a step forward to improve mental health services, the U.S. House today passed the bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016, supported by U.S. Rep. Castor, who serves on the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee as well as its Health Subcommittee. Read more »

Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion today for Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt: Read more »

Memorial Day is a day to remember Americans who lost their lives on the battlefield in service to our great nation. Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With Florida leading the country in the number of reported Zika virus cases, today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa Bay) criticized the Republican leadership in Congress for not only delaying support to fight the spread of the virus that causes severe birth defects, but also for falling short of the needed funding for CDC and NIH prevention and treatments. Read more »

Today, U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced the Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act, legislation that will increase safety for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding and must take medication. This bipartisan solution will identify major research gaps involving pregnant and lactating women who take prescription medication, and detail ways to promote safer medications for them to use. Read more »

Please view letter sent today by members of the Florida’s Congressional Delegation to Gov. Rick Scott regarding the State of Florida’s Department of Health (FDOH) data on new HIV infections in the state. Read more »

Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) was joined by local public health experts, Hillsborough County Mosquito Control and Hillsborough County Healthy Start to rally the community to prepare and fight the Zika virus. U.S. Rep. Castor emphasized, “fighting Zika starts at home" as all speakers urged the public to take action now to prepare for the virus known to cause birth defects. U.S. Rep. Castor also highlighted a study earlier this year that found that Florida and other Gulf coast states are some of the most vulnerable parts of the continental United States for year-round incursion by the Zika. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito which can be found in warm weather climates. Read more »