Dear Friend,
COVID-19 vaccinations are on the rise and passage of the American Rescue Plan will help us stay on track to ensure everyone can receive a vaccine as soon as possible so that we can work to return to normal. America is in a precarious moment. In Florida, we lost a half a million jobs last year and suffered the second highest number of unemployment claims in the country. We rely on tourism and it wasn’t safe for many visitors to travel, and that had consequences. Thanks to President Biden and his team, we now have a national vaccination strategy, and his team has begun to bring order to the chaos with over 51 million shots administered in the 5 weeks. No other country has done that. In order to get everyone vaccinated, we need to pass this rescue plan.
Our plan will provide new $1400 survival payments, emergency food and rental aid, and extra unemployment insurance to tide families and workers over through the public health emergency. Struggling small businesses also can receive emergency aid, including debt-free grants for restaurants, in addition to PPP forgivable loans.The American Rescue Plan also expands the Child Tax Credit to provide money every month to help keep kids out of poverty, and gives students, teachers and local school districts the help they need to safely operate schools, boost student achievement, summer school, safe graduations, early PreK and childcare. For more information on the American Rescue Plan, visit my website.
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- President Biden announced yesterday that all states should prioritize all teachers and school personnel. Plus, COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in Florida is now expanded to firefighters and police officers over 50, and to residents under 65 who have prior conditions that put them at higher risk to the coronavirus.
- The federally-run COVID-19 community vaccination site opened at the Tampa Greyhound Track in Sulphur Springs this morning. This new site can provide up to 2,000 doses of vaccine per day with two smaller, mobile satellite sites at HCC Brandon campus and Larry Sands Sports Complex in Progress Village that can conduct up to 500 vaccinations per day. Vaccination rates in Florida are lagging for our Black and Latino neighbors and its up to all of us to help our neighbors. If you know someone who is homebound or needs assistance, please let me know.
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- In addition, Tampa Family Health Centers was named one of initial 250 health centers across the country to directly receive vaccines through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, and will be vaccinating Tampa residents as they receive supply.
- The State of Florida and Hillsborough County has partnered to open a vaccination site for health care workers only at Ed Radice Sports Complex starting on Wednesday, March 3.
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 14 will now be Tampa’s state-led vaccination site starting Tuesday, March 2. The new location will hopefully improve traffic and wait times while vaccinating over 3,000 of our neighbors every day.
To request an appointment through the State for these sites, please call 1-866-200-3896 or TTY 1-844-251-5532 or visit www.myvaccine.fl.gov.
We can and must do more to ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine in our community. The opening of the Sulphur Spring site, mobile vaccination units and expansion at community health centers are important steps. You can watch a Facebook Live event I held this week with FEMA, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz, Tampa Family Health Centers President and CEO Sherry Hoback and President of the Black Nurses Association Tampa Bay, Rosa Mckinzy Cambridge, here where we answer your questions on getting vaccinated in the Tampa Bay area.
If you have questions about the coronavirus vaccine, you can find information about availability, options for veterans, and how community health centers are helping distribute vaccines by visiting my website.
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My Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled “The Future of Telehealth: How COVID-19 is Changing the Delivery of Virtual Care." Expanded access to telehealth has helped so many Americans stay connected to necessary health care services during the pandemic. I have heard from my neighbors and from health professionals back in Tampa about how vital telehealth has been to them maintaining health services during this crisis, and I’m working to ensure access to these invaluable services are available for all of our neighbors.
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H.R. 1 – While the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature is doing all it can to make it more difficult to vote, the U.S. House is passing the For The People Act, a bold reform package that is focused on priorities of Floridians to: clean up corruption in Washington, protect and expand the right to vote in Florida and around the country, restore integrity to government and put the needs and priorities of the American people ahead of special interests. By focusing on ensuring fair elections, restoring the Voting Rights Act, fighting rampant voter suppression, and ending the dominance of big money in politics, the For the People Act will strengthen and safeguard our democracy.
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H.R. 1280 – The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act answers the widespread calls to reform police practices and tackle systemic racism across America. I have listened to my Tampa area neighbors and their calls for “justice” during marches, prayers and protests. It is good to see Tampa and Hillsborough County law enforcement already making reforms. This bill will hold police accountable in our courts, improve transparency into policing by collecting better and more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force, improve police training and practices and make lynching a federal crime.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is supported by leading organizations including the NAACP, National Action Network, National Urban League, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National Partnership for Women and Families, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Black lives matter, and I dedicate my vote to the generations of our Tampa neighbors who have suffered the unfair burdens of discrimination, disrespect and violence due to the color of their skin.
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Now is the time to get covered on www.Healthcare.gov! An Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment Period is open now through May 15, and plans are more affordable than you may think.
Nine of 10 consumers qualify for financial assistance to lower monthly premiums, and as a result, three out of four people can currently find plans for $50 per month or less.
If you need help finding a plan that works best for your family, Covering Florida Navigators are here to help. Visit http://CoveringFlorida.org or call (877) 813-9115 for free assistance.
Watch my event with Covering Florida’s Jodi Ray and Tampa General Hospital’s Dr. Jason Wilson here for more information on how to get covered.
As always, my office is here to help you at 813-871-2817. Stay safe and healthy.
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Sincerely,
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Kathy Castor Member of Congress
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