Health Care Reform Benefits Thousands in Indiana
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In this week's Carson Courier:
- Health Care Reform Benefits Thousands in Indiana
- Raising Awareness Regarding the Dangers of Using Synthetic Drugs
- GOP Budget Would Harm the Economy and Those Most Vulnerable
Health Care Reform Benefits Thousands in Indiana
Prior to the historic passage of the Affordable Care Act, seniors, young adults and small businesses struggled to afford the rising cost of health care or simply did without. This week marks the second anniversary of this landmark health care legislation, which is already having a positive impact on constituents in the 7th District.
- 4,700 young adults in our district now have health insurance.
- 63,000 seniors are benefitting from Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles.
- 520 small businesses in Indianapolis have received tax credits to ensure health care coverage for their employees.
- Community health centers, hospitals and other health care providers have received public health grants totaling $36.1 million.
- As many as 40,000 children with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by insurance companies.
Regrettably, my Republican colleagues continue to turn a blind eye to the progress that has made in the effort to expand health care to more than 48 million Americans. It is well established the financial consequences of not having health insurance in the event of a serious injury or disease. While I recognize our health care system continues to require improvement in order to bend the cost curve, Republican proposals would only raise health care costs for those most vulnerable without addressing the unaffordable growth in health care costs. Clearly, the need for health care reform did not begin and end with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, but I refuse to support GOP proposals that seek to return this nation to an untenable health care system in which only those currently insured and the wealthiest among us have access to the health care system.
Raising Consumer Awareness about the Dangers of Synthetic Drugs
Over the past few years, illicit drug manufacturers have sought to get around drug laws by manufacturing chemical compounds that mimic the effects of dangerous, Schedule I controlled substances like methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana. Taking advantage of legal loopholes, such synthetic drugs often labeled as "bath salts," "plant food" or "incense" can be sold at retail stores in some states or over the Internet. Consequently, far too many Hoosiers, particularly young people, have been admitted to emergency rooms after ingesting synthetic drugs.
The Indiana General Assembly and the Indianapolis City-Council have passed legislation that makes the possession of these substances illegal in Indiana. Unfortunately, the federal government has yet to step forward in order to reduce access to synthetic drugs. To make matters worse, many people are not aware of the dangers associated with using these substances. For that reason, I chose to introduce H.R. 4205, the Synthetics Are Dangerous (SAD) Act to raise consumer awareness regarding the dangers posed by synthetic drugs. The SAD Act addresses a critical public health and public safety that for far too long has gone overlooked in Congress.
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GOP Budget Would Harm the Economy and Those Most Vulnerable
Congressman Paul Ryan introduced a budget this week that would end the Medicare guarantee, provide billions in tax breaks to Big Oil, reduce taxes for the wealthiest Americans and eliminate jobs. Rather than embrace the concept of expanding health care for seniors, young adults and children and creating jobs, my Republican colleagues have proposed initiatives that will eliminate jobs, reduce access to health care and slow economic growth. As a Member of the Progressive Caucus, I certainly understand the need to reduce the deficit, but it must be done responsibly and in the best interest of the American people.
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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 at https://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter @RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District.