Dear Friend:

Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier.  For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week’s Carson Courier:

• Supreme Court of the United States Upholds the Affordable Care Act
• Fighting for Affordable Housing and Job Creation

Supreme Court of the United States Upholds the Affordable Care Act

On Thursday, the Supreme Court released its final decision regarding the landmark health care reform law known as the Affordable Care Act, which I proudly voted for in 2010. Since that time, 54 million Americans have benefitted from free preventive health services such as cancer screenings and diabetes prevention, 17 million children with preexisting conditions now receive quality medical care, and more than 12 million Americans will benefit from $1.1 billion in insurance company rebates in the coming weeks. 

The Affordable Care Act decision is not about a political party; it is about progress for the American people. This historic moment is a victory for our seniors, for Americans with preexisting conditions, and for young people now receiving insurance coverage through their parents.

Here in Indiana, the Affordable Care Act has provided clear benefits. In 2011 alone, Medicare recipients in Indiana saved over $93 million, an average of $648 per beneficiary. As implementation of the Affordable Care Act continues in the coming years, Hoosiers will continue to benefit from greater access to quality, affordable medical care and increased cost savings.

To read more about how the Affordable Care Act has been Hoosiers, click hereand here.

Fighting for Affordable Housing and Job Creation

This week, I took to the House floor to voice my displeasure with the indiscriminate cuts in funding for public works and public housing projects. It comes as no shock to me that many Americans are frustrated with this Congress. For more than a year, Americans have continuously expressed their support for investments in critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, light rail and other public projects. These projects create jobs, ensure public safety and encourage economic development.

There is no doubt that our economy is recovering. The Recovery Act, which I strongly supported in the previous Congress, kept our manufacturing sector alive at a time of crisis and invested in energy projects that have reduced our dependence on foreign oil. Yet, many folks in Indianapolis have been hit especially hard. Faced with unemployment rates that exceed the national average, many continue to struggle to find affordable housing. Despite these hardships, the House voted this week to cut rental assistance for 1.2 million low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities. Particularly distressing was the elimination of the Choice Neighborhoods program, which has had notable achievement in reviving blighted neighborhoods. These programs work, they create jobs and they help millions of American families during tough economic times.

Click on the picture below to watch my statement:

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, visit my website athttp://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page athttp://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarsonand follow me on Twitter@RepAndreCarson.  I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana’s 7^th District.

Sincerely,

André Carson
Member of Congress