Representative Kathy Castor

The House passed an $8.3 billion coronavirus funding package yesterday that includes $950 million for state and local health agencies to protect the public health, including surveillance, laboratory testing, infection control, contact tracing and mitigation. Our package provides robust and strategic funds for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and for expedited research and vaccine development. As our health officials work tirelessly to keep Americans safe, this funding package is an important first step in providing robust resources for an effective, whole-of-government response.

Prevention, care and communication are key. Plus, these funds will assist the three Florida Department of Health labs — Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville — that are capable of testing for novel coronavirus, which is critical to addressing future cases and keeping us safe. The two local cases in Hillsborough County appear to have resulted from travel to Italy. They are currently isolated at home while receiving care.

I continue to work with our nursing homes in Florida, and I’m pleased that this package provides additional protections for our older neighbors by allowing Medicare providers to extend telemedicine services to seniors in our community. It will take all of us working together to protect our neighbors, especially our vulnerable populations and seniors, and stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Listen to the health professionals at the CDC and our local health department. If you are seeking information on how to protect yourself and your family, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/?track_covid19.

Energy and Commerce: This week, my Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held a hearing entitled, "Buyer Beware: Fake and Unsafe Products on Online Marketplaces," and my Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled "Combatting an Epidemic: Legislation to Help Patients with Substance Use Disorders." For years, I have met neighbors with substance use disorders and learned from their families, doctors, experts and law enforcement. Additional resources and smart policies are needed in our state to combat the opioid epidemic. The failure of the state to expand Medicaid health services as provided under the Affordable Care Act puts Florida families at a disadvantage on treatment and care. At the hearing, we considered legislation to allow states to better coordinate treatment and respond to the needs of our neighbors suffering from substance abuse disorders.

H.R. 1140 - Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020: This bill will ensure Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), including those at Tampa International Airport, are afforded the same rights and protections as other federal workers. Improving TSO salaries and workforce protections are critical steps in improving our national security.

Don’t forget: counting for the 2020 Census begins next week! Read my Census newsletter for more information on what to expect.

My Committee

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