Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend,

The landmark Affordable Care Act was signed into law 14 years ago and it has meant more to Floridians than the citizens of any other state. For example, 4.2 millions Floridians signed up for affordable health coverage under HealthCare.gov this year - far more than any other State. As a companion to Medicare and Medicaid, the ACA outlawed discrimination for preexisting conditions like cancer and heart disease, and allowed young people to stay on their parents’ plan through age 26, and much more. More Americans have health coverage than ever before and thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, many Americans can find a plan that costs less than $10/month.

The Affordable Care Act also ensures cost-saving preventative services like flu shots, cancer screenings and birth control. The ACA also is a linchpin in the ability of entrepreneurs to start new businesses as many people are not forced to stay in a job for health benefits. Working to pass the ACA with President Obama, and working to improve the law under President Biden has been gratifying as our neighbors can live healthier lives with more money in their wallets.

That’s why I will not allow my Republican colleagues or any President repeal the law, and why I will continue to press Florida politicians to bring our tax dollars home to expand Medicaid as almost every State in America has done. Florida politicians fought Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s and the fiscally-wise and morally-right course of action is to ensure quality affordable health care for all.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO YOU?

END DISCRIMINATION FOR PREEXISTING CONDITIONS

KEEP SON/DAUGHTER ON PLAN TO AGE 26

INSURANCE COMPANY CANNOT CANCEL POLICY IF I GET SICK

TAX CREDIT TO MAKE COVERAGE AFFORDABLE

BIRTH CONTROL COVERAGE

LOWER MEDICARE DRUG COSTS

HELPED ME START A NEW BUSINESS OR JOB

VOTES LAST WEEK

After months of MAGA shutdown threats and chaos, the final appropriations bills were passed and President Biden signed them over the weekend. House Democrats were united in fighting to block extreme MAGA cuts to everything from nutrition assistance for hungry kids to cancer research and to a pay raise for our troops. Click here to learn more.

House Republicans’ allegiance to Big Oil and Gas was on display as most floor action was devoted to rolling back environmental laws and boosting the oil and gas industry as they continue to choose the polluters over the people. It’s costly and ignores the enormous progress on lower cost clean energy and manufacturing.

Check out my floor speech regarding H.R. 1023:

The United States must spearhead a clean energy transition that will boost our nation’s economy and lower electric bills. Take a look at their rotten legislation ripping your hard-earned dollars out of your wallet:

H.R. 7023 - Upends the Clean Water Act by removing guardrails that protect the health and safety of everyday American people. This bill will further erode protections that benefit the American public and our environment.

H. Con. Res. 86 - Declares that the U.S. won’t implement a carbon tax. Yet it does nothing to improve the lives of American families, nor does it do anything to address the climate crisis.

H.R. 1121 - Prevents the President from issuing a moratorium on dirty fracking on federal lands unless approved by Congress.

H.R. 6009 - Prevents the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from implementing a proposed rule on oil and gas production on federal lands, allowing Big Oil and Gas to exploit outdated leasing fees.

H. Res. 987 - This resolution is a flat-out absurd attempt by extreme Republicans to mislead the American public. Under President Biden’s leadership, American energy production is shattering all-time records. We’re producing more solar power, building more wind turbines, and exporting more fuels than ever before. Last year, planet-warming emissions fell substantially in the U.S., even as our economy roared and GDP grew by 2.4 percent. This is a clear indication that we can achieve a safer climate while bolstering energy security and job growth.

MY COMMITTEE WORK

Last week in my Energy and Commerce Committee, we marked up 28 bills, including a bizarre GOP attack on energy-efficient appliances that industry supports..

I offered an amendment to the so-called “Pipeline Safety” legislation that would impose safety penalty fines. Pipeline safety standards are vital because pipelines are “out of sight, out of mind” and can be dangerous when neglected. Watch my amendment proposal to the committee here.

There were also five GOP anti-energy efficiency bill would raise costs on families and businesses:

Republicans also took aim at weakening the Clean Air Act. Over 100 million Americans live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, with children and older Americans, working-class communities, and communities of color being disproportionately at risk. Air pollution is associated with over 100,000 premature deaths in the U.S. every year, and particulate matter is among the most dangerous forms of air pollution. It's linked to many serious health problems like cancer, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, and reproductive, neurological and immune system disorders. Watch my remarks here.

But there is good news! My bipartisan Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act to provide kids with the specialized medical care they need in an emergency, passed with a unanimous vote. Additionally, I did urge my colleagues to take action on my SHINE for Autumn Act to prevent stillbirths and keep families healthy and whole. I look forward to my important legislation being considered by the full committee soon. Watch my remarks here.

BUILD AMERICA, BUY AMERICA

Thanks to President Biden and House Democrats, manufacturing is booming in the United States. With thousands of jobs created and historic investments in a build American, buy American economy, we are on a path to a sustainable, profitable future for our country and our pocketbooks.

This week, President Biden announced an $8.5 billion grant thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act. This funding will build and expand semiconductor facilities in create nearly 30,000 direct good-paying jobs and support tens of thousands of indirect good-paying jobs. The increased production of chips will bolster our electric vehicle production, lower the cost of household appliances in the United States and focus on sustainable production practices.

Democrats continue to deliver lower costs, good-paying jobs and healthier, safer communities.

As always, you can call my office at (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201.

I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

Member of Congress