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 https://www.carson.house.gov.
In This Week's Carson Courier:
Growing Green Jobs in the District
Health Care Reform is Urgently Needed
2010 Census: Stand Up and Be Counted
GROWING GREEN JOBS IN THE DISTRICT
I was pleased to announce this week that Apollo Alliance will be joining the Electrical Training Institute, a joint venture of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association, to meet the increasing demand for skilled "green-collar" workers. Graduates of the Electrical Training Institute will be equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the rapidly growing clean energy sector. Today, Indiana has more than 1,200 clean energy companies, which employ more than 17,000 people across the state.
HEALTH CARE REFORM IS URGENTLY NEEDED
Recently, Anthem, a division of Indianapolis-based insurance giant Wellpoint, announced that health insurance premium would be increased up to 38 percent. Such dramatic increases in health care costs threaten the financial security of hard-working Americans across this great country. The Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI) is currently in the process of reviewing such rate increases to ensure that they are justifiable. After fully reviewing the data, I will be following up with the IDOI to request additional information.?
Make no mistake, insurance premiums are skyrocketing in Indiana, not just in California. One recent filing showed that 35,000 Hoosiers had seen their insurance premiums rise by an average of 28.4 percent.?? Rate hikes like this demonstrate that insurers-not consumers-are the ones in control of health care choices for many Americans. In these tough economic times, many folks, especially those who are currently struggling with an illness, face the dilemma of either assuming greater health care costs or dropping the coverage and being shut out altogether because of a pre-existing condition. That's not the kind of choice people and their families should have to make in this country. The rising cost of health insurance is proof positive that health care reform is sorely needed.
2010 CENSUS: STAND UP AND BE COUNTED
The Census is a vital tool of our democracy that impacts the 7th District. The results of the 2010 Census determines how more than $445 billion in federal funds - used to pay for everything from schools to roads to senior centers - will be distributed to state, local, and tribal governments over the next decade. According to a recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report, areas most affected by Census undercounting lose approximately $2,013 per uncounted person in federal funding. Our community can't afford to lose out on crucial federal funds and programs. To get our fair share of funding for our community, everyone must be counted. Funding our schools, libraries, community centers and so many other important programs depends upon Census results. I hope you all join me in filling out the Census form. It is the best way to help our community, our schools, and our children. Join me - stand up and be counted.