Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Coronavirus, March for Life, Maternal Health, Prescription Drugs, Business Start-ups, Cruise Industry, Immigration, Health Care

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to March 17, 2020



I would just like to say that, in light of this Coronavirus scare, President Trump is doing an OUTSTANDING job working around the clock to get this thing under control!

He has utilized ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE and has done his best to put politics aside to make sure every American is cared for during this crisis in a variety of ways -- including financially.

He has done his best to decrease panic, as well as maintain urgency at the same time.

Thank you, Mr. President for being such a strong leader during this time, and I don't think anyone else could have, or even WOULD have, done better!

--Shonda Ponder, Editor-in-chief


UPCOMING EVENT: First-ever official California March for Life to take place in Sacramento on June 23rd, 2020
Source: March for Life
March 17, 2020
March for Life is honored to partner with the California Family Council to organize the first-ever official California March for Life on June 23rd, 2020 in Sacramento, California. Marchers will rally at the state capitol to call for an end to pro-abortion extremism in the state.
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McBath Leads Legislation, Joins Colleagues to Unveil Historic Legislative Package to Address America’s Maternal Health Crisis
Source: U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA, 6th)
March 10, 2020
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12), Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus to introduce a historic legislative package to address the United States’ urgent maternal health crisis. McBath’s legislation, the Social Determinants for Moms Act, is included in the legislative omnibus, or “Momnibus,” and funds access to services and critical research to help save the lives of American women.
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REPRESENTATIVE MALINOWSKI URGES INSURANCE COMPANIES TO CLARIFY RULES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG REFILLS
Source: U.S. Representative Tom Malinowsky (D-NJ, 7th)
March 11, 2020
Representative Tom Malinowski led a group of 11 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Matt Eyles, President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, and the eight major American insurance providers, to clarify that patients will continue to have access to life saving prescriptions as the coronavirus epidemic grows.
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SEC adopts McAdams and Hollingsworth proposal to cut red tape on promising start-ups
Source: U.S. Representative Ben McAdams (D-UT, 4th)
March 12, 2020
Legislation by Congressman Ben McAdams and Congressman Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) giving commonsense regulatory relief for America’s growing companies was essentially adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a rule-making action. McAdams introduced the Fostering Innovation Act in 2019 as a narrow fix that allows small emerging growth companies to keep capital working to fund business needs, rather than expensive regulatory filings.
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MARCH OF DIMES LAUNCHES MOM AND BABY COVID-19 INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT FUND
Source: March of Dimes
March 13, 2020
March of Dimes launched the Mom and Baby COVID-19 Intervention and Support Fund to help protect moms and babies from COVID-19, the new coronavirus disease. As the public grapples with the spread of the disease, March of Dimes is serving as a resource for moms and providing them with the information and resources they need to protect their families.
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Maloney Helps Pass Second, Bipartisan Coronavirus Response Package
Source: U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY, 18th)
March 14, 2020
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) helped pass Congress’s second, bipartisan COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, response package. The bill will provide: free coronavirus testing for every American who needs a test, including the uninsured, paid emergency leave for workers, unemployment insurance protections for furloughed workers; more money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), senior and student meal programs, and food banks; and increased federal funds for Medicaid.
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Rep. Maloney Votes to Pass Legislation to Support America's Families Facing COVID-19
Source: U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
March 14, 2020
As our nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to make sure that families across this country have the resources they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones. We need to make paid leave available so that employees aren’t faced with the impossible decision to give up a paycheck or go into work while sick and we need to make sure that we are looking after American’s financial wellbeing, in addition to their health.
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MARSHALL SUPPORTS AMERICAN WORKER DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Source: U.S. Representative Roger Marshall (R-KS, 1st)
March 14, 2020
After voting YES on a bill to support American workers and the economy during the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., issued the following statement: “We are helping President Trump deliver free tests, emergency paid leave, and flexibility for families and small businesses affected by Coronavirus. During his address from the Oval Office earlier this week and today in the Rose Garden, President Trump assured the American people that he would use the full force of the federal government to continue to curb the spread of the coronavirus here at home. As a physician and Member of Congress, my highest concern and priority is the health and safety of Kansans. I'm relieved we could come together to produce a thoughtful, bipartisan piece of legislation with input from the Trump Administration. The health and well-being of American families comes first and I look forward to these measures being implemented as soon as possible.”
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Congressman McCaul votes to support American families and workers impacted by Coronavirus
Source: U.S. Representative Michael T. McCaul (R-TX, 10th)
March 14, 2020
This virus does not discriminate based on your health insurance, your political party, or your age. That is why I voted in favor of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
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MANCHIN CALLS ON SENATE TO ACT NOW ON EMERGENCY CORONAVIRUS FUNDING
Source: Senator, Joe Manchin, III - (D - WV)
March 16, 2020
“I have no doubt Democrats and Republicans will come together and take care and help people and will come to the aid of the economy of our country and I hope they realize the people that really need help are the people that cannot make it from one week to the next let alone one paycheck to the next. My state also has the most endangered population in the nation,” said Senator Manchin. “But out of 1.8 million people, we have only tested 84. When the virus is found in my state, we are not prepared for it because we don't even have the tests to identify who is ill, who needs these treatments and needs the hospital care, and we don’t have medical equipment we need to support our vulnerable citizens. We need to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act now. This emergency funding that has already been passed in the House is vital to supporting our most vulnerable people. We have to do something and do it quickly. We should sit here and protest until it does come. There is no reason we can't do it tonight. We must come together, all of us, to fight this deadly virus.”
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MAZON Deeply Concerned About the Adverse Effects of Coronavirus Crisis on Low-Income Women and Families, Urges Further Congressional Action
Source: MAZON - A Jewish Response to Hunger
March 16, 2020
A Jewish Response to Hunger lauds the U.S. House of Representatives for recently passing the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (H.R. 6201) and urges the Senate to immediately follow suit.
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Matsui Calls on Congress to Oppose Cruise Industry Bailout
Source: U.S. Representative Doris O. Matsui (D-CA, 6th)
March 16, 2020
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-6), sent the following letter to Reps. Richard Neal (MA-1), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Peter DeFazio (OR-4), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging them to oppose any bailout of the cruise industry and instead focus on supporting the federal response to the coronavirus.
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Senator Markey Calls on DHS to Halt Deportations, Release Immigrants from Detention
Source: Senator Edward J.Markey (D-MA)
March 17, 2020
U.S. immigration detention centers have been called a “[public health] disaster waiting to happen,” due to their crowded conditions and Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s history of medical neglect and substandard care. Except in limited circumstances, the DHS has the authority to release noncitizens from detention while they await immigration court proceedings. Senator Markey is calling on the Acting Secretary to use this authority and release eligible individuals from its custody.
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Baker-Polito Administration Announces Changes To Expedite Health Care Licensing, Increase Support For Local Boards Of Health And Small Businesses
Source: Massachusetts Governor’s Office
March 17, 2020
Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced further actions to support residents, health care providers, and small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Administration today announced several emergency orders expediting the onboarding process of more licensed health care professionals. The Administration is also distributing an initial $5 million in emergency funding to local boards of health throughout the Commonwealth, with more funding to be distributed soon. The Administration also took additional steps to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak by formally seeking relief from the Small Business Administration.
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McConnell on Coronavirus: This is a Moment for Bold and Bipartisan Action
Source: Senator Mitch McConnell (R- KY)
March 17, 2020
Senate Republicans are convinced that the House’s non-comprehensive bill can only be the beginning of our efforts to support our health system, assist individual Americans and families, and stabilize the U.S. economy.
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The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America - 15 Days to Slow the Spread
Source: Major City Chiefs Police Association
March 17, 2020
1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.

2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.

3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.

4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.

5. If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.

6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.

7. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus:

 Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.

 If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.

 Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

 Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.

 Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.

 Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

 Practice good hygiene:
o Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
o Avoid touching your face.
o Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
o Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
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