Skip to main content

Newsletter: More Doctors for Underserved Communities

May 2, 2017
Brad's Newsletter

**Sign up for my email newsletter now so you don't miss any updates in the future!**

As we enter May, this week's update focuses on new legislation I introduced to address our nationwide shortage of doctors. I also want to extend a personal invitation to join me an upcoming screening of a documentary on reducing gun violence. Please read on for these updates and more from another busy week in Washington and the Tenth District.

MORE DOCTORS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Newsletter image

Last week, I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Rep. Darrell Issa of California to help increase the number of doctors available to work in underserved and rural areas. The bill to extend and expand the Conrad 30 Waiver program allows doctors here from abroad to remain in the U.S. upon completing their medical residency under the condition that they practice in underserved areas for at least three years.

The American medical education system attracts top international talent and produces the best-trained graduates in the world. It makes no sense to force these highly-skilled new doctors out of the country at a time when many of our communities struggle to attract medical professionals.

I was proud to introduce the Conrad State 30 & Physician Access Act with Rep. Issa, and was very pleased to see language continuing the program included in the recent government funding bill. I'll keep fighting to protect and improve the Conrad 30 program because it is a commonsense step toward improving the health care of Americans living in underserved areas.

Last week I also spoke on the House floor in support of the program. Watch the video here.

YOU'RE INVITED: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING ON REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE

I'm hosting a public screening and discussion of a very important documentary about reducing gun violence, and you're invited. We'll be showing portions of "Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA," including a case study of Chicago gun trafficking on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Northbrook Public Library.

Following the screening, I'll hold a conversation and question and answer session with two community leaders in the gun violence prevention movement: Tracy Katz Muhl of Moms Demand Action and Thomas Vanden Berk of UCAN. Hope you can join us!

Registration is required. Sign up to attend the film screening today.

REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST

Newsletter image

I was profoundly honored to accompany Holocaust survivors Marcel Hodak and Rachel Goldfarb at last week's U.S. Holocaust Museum National Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. More than 70 years after the world initially bore witness to the horrors of the Holocaust, it is increasingly important for us to honor the memory of the six million Jews and millions of other innocents systematically murdered by the Nazi machine. We must consciously remember them, and the survivors, to ensure the world never forgets the evil that perpetrated such heinous crimes, and to ensure the lessons of the Shoah are passed on from generation to generation. Only through remembrance, through study, and through committed actions will we achieve "Never Again."

President Trump spoke at the event as well, and I welcomed his remarks about confronting anti-Semitism. I continue to encourage him to give substance to these words by appointing a candidate to fill the vacant Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism position.

CELEBRATING STUDENT ARTISTS

Newsletter image

Last week, I was proud to announce Shelby Welte of Lake Forest High School as the winner of this year's congressional art competition. Shelby's photograph titled "George" will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year alongside winners from other congressional districts. In selecting Shelby's work, the judges noted that they liked that "the eyes of our youth are watching over Congress."

Shelby and runners-up Suzanna Creasey of Glenbrook North High School and Amy Tian of Stevenson High School were announced during a showing of all the student art submissions at Vernon Area Library.

All of the student submissions were impressive, and our panel of local judges had their work cut out picking a winner. Thank you to all of the students and teachers that participated this year.

Check out a gallery of all the student art submissions.

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Newsletter image

Welcoming home returning Lake County veterans and thanking them for their service after their Honor Flight trip to visit memorials in Washington, DC.

Newsletter image

Meeting neighbors at the Autism Speaks North Shore Walk at New Trier High School.

Newsletter image

Speaking with visiting IDF officers about the U.S. legislative and foreign policymaking processes at a JINSA - Jewish Institute for National Security of America event.

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,
Newsletter image
Brad Schneider
Member of Congress