Newsletter: Listening on Health Care
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My focus remains on protecting the initial progress we've made on health care from ongoing, ill-conceived repeal efforts. Please read on for updates on that fight, as well as a touching story from the Tenth District on last week's Refugee Day. Also below are two invitations to upcoming events in early July.
LISTENING ON HEALTH CARE
More people have contacted me about health care than any other issue – we've received 5,000 calls, letters, and emails since the beginning of the year.
Over the past several weeks, I've been calling some of the people who have written me to hear firsthand about their experiences with the ACA and their concerns with the GOP plan under debate in Congress. I shared some of these stories on the House floor.
The many stories I've heard – about trying to find affordable insurance with a pre-existing condition, worrying about hitting a lifetime cap due to a single expensive illness, or gaining coverage for the first time through the ACA's Medicaid expansion – make me certain the Republican leadership's repeal and replace bill is not the answer.
Our health care system is not perfect. We need to work to improve things and fix what isn't working. But we can't throw away all the progress on an irresponsible plan that will harm so many.
I hope you'll take a moment and share your health care story with me on our website.
YOU'RE INVITED: HEALTH CARE ROUNDTABLE
I'll be hosting a roundtable discussion next week to further discuss this issue that affects all of us. I hope you will join us:
Friday, July 7, 2017
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CDT
Lake County Board of Health
3010 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
SPEAKING UP FOR REFUGEES
On World Refugee Day, I was honored to host eight-year-old Raul Ortiz from Waukegan. When he was five, Raul was kidnapped by a crime cartel in Honduras and held for ransom. He and his mom later fled to the United States and now live in Waukegan where they are seeking asylum. He asked me to help today send this letter sharing his story to President Trump in the White House. We cannot allow the door of opportunity and safety to close on the next generation of Americans, like Raul, seeking refuge here.
You can read Raul's letter to President Trump here on our Facebook page.
I also spoke about Raul's story on the House floor.
YOU'RE INVITED: SMALL BUSINESS FORUM & RESOURCE FAIR
Own a small business, thinking of starting one, or just want to learn more?
Join me and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez next Thursday.
The event will feature a panel of small business experts, including a representative from the Small Business Administration, to answer any small business questions you may have. There will also be a fair with vendors to help provide information about loans for small businesses, tax questions, resources available to women and minority small business owners, and more.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
College of Lake County - Lakeshore Campus (Community Conference Room)
33 N Genesee St, Waukegan, IL 60085
Learn more and RSVP to attend here.
SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING
Illinois's budget dysfunction is threatening a shutdown of critical construction projects, including those using federal funds. Political gridlock should not be the reason that Illinoisans lose jobs and access to safe and reliable roads, bridges, ports, and tunnels. This week, I sent a letter with six of my congressional colleagues urging the state's leadership to come to an agreement to protect these projects.
WEEKLY WRAP-UP
Great to see so many neighbors out for a good cause in Highland Park, Illinois at the 15th annual Cure Scleroderma Walk. I'll keep fighting to support funding for researchers at NIH working toward a cure for Scleroderma and other diseases.
At the Furthering the Lives of Youth (FLY) breakfast in Waukegan to support athletic and arts opportunities for all our young people.
Joining nearly 200 Members of Congress in a lawsuit to compel President Trump to comply with the anti-corruption foreign emoluments clause. No one is above the law, and I'm deeply concerned that the President is continuing to violate the Constitution by profiting from foreign states at his businesses without the consent of Congress.
As always, please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Brad Schneider
Member of Congress