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HISTORIC SUPREME COURT DECISION
On Thursday, the United States Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s healthcare law. While I believe this is an historic week in the country, I continue to hope that the decision does not further deepen our divisions or cause us to throw up our hands and feel our work is done. All Americans, no matter what their political party, deserve coverage that is functional, full, and fair. My sincere hope is that the states and the federal government will work together to make sure that happens. Because of healthcare, there are now big and important differences in the lives of millions of Americas, who are able to focus on their jobs and quality of life, instead of worrying about what will happen if they or their family members get injured or sick. Below are some facts I think are important as we take a look at what those changes mean for people across the country and right here in Missouri’s Fifth District.
NUMBERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
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54 million Americans have received one or more free preventive services
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The annual free wellness exam and the first “Welcome to Medicare” visit will remain free
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The average Medicare beneficiary will continue to save approximately $650 a year
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In August, millions of women will get free coverage for various comprehensive women’s preventive services
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Last year – 32.5 million seniors got one of more free preventive services
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105 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their coverage
IN MISSOURI’S FIFTH DISTRICT
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4,200 young adults in the district now have health insurance
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6,800 seniors in the district got prescription drug discounts worth $3.9 million – an average discount of $580 per senior
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72,000 seniors in the district got Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles
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28,000 children and 110,000 adults now have insurance that covers preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles
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480 small businesses in the district got tax credits to help maintain or expand health care coverage for their employees
If you’d like to see a video statement from Congressman Cleaver on this ruling: http://cleaver.house.gov/
FEDERAL DOLLARS ON THE WAY FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
RAYTOWN AND KANSAS CITY GET BIG AWARDS
I am pleased to announce that the Kansas City and Raytown Fire Departments will get significant federal dollars to help keep our communities safe. The Department of Homeland Safety announced the SAFER grants this week. The Kansas City Fire Department will receive more than $4.5 million, while the Raytown Fire Protection District will be awarded $1.2 million. These grants are intended to make sure firefighters stay on the job instead of falling victim to layoffs. Federal dollars will help in making sure responses stay efficient, scenes remain safe and both departments get the assistance they need with staffing demands amidst severe budget challenges.
Almost time to PLAY BALL!
BIPARTISAN EFFORT FOR BASEBALL
This week I introduced two resolutions in the House of Representatives to honor Kansas City. The resolutions honor Major League Baseball as a critical part of American history and the Negro Baseball Leagues for its dedication, sacrifice and contributions to baseball and to the country.
At the same time, my Republican colleague Senator Roy Blunt, and my Democratic colleague Senator Claire McCaskill, introduced companion resolutions.
Kansas City is the perfect place for the 83rd annual All-Star Game. What an honor it is we will host this monumental and unforgettable event. As we all know, Kansas City is, the home of the Negro League World Champion Monarchs and the Major League World Champion Royals. It is where Mickey Mantle got his first hit and Babe Ruth one of his last. It is where Satchel Paige dominated the mound and Cool Papa Bell hit a ball farther than anyone has ever seen!
The 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to KC and Kauffman Stadium on July 10th. It is only fitting that the 40th anniversary of the stadium will also be celebrated at that time. Many of the great players in the game today can trace their baseball heritage back to the Negro Leagues. Kansas City is so very fortunate to be the city where the league was founded and where we will soon celebrate MLB’s All-Star Game.
Memories will be made, history will be celebrated – and the entire country will get to see why the Kansas City area is the best place in the nation to live.
For more information on the resolutions introduced in the House and passed in the Senate: http://cleaver.house.gov/
MORE PROGRESS IN GREEN IMPACT ZONE
Kansas City’s Urban Rangers are inside the Green Impact Zone this summer, working with the Manheim Park Association and neighborhood to help at-risk kids. The Urban Ranger Corps helps young adults, aged 14-18, focus on getting work experience and providing service in their community. It’s a chance for inner city teens to develop leadership skills, get exposure to various opportunities, and receive individualized assistance looking into career planning following high school.
The Urban Rangers will be in the Manheim neighborhood for the next 7 weeks, not only working with kids, but also with residents on cleaning up the area.
CIVILITY CORNER
My Aunt Edna of Waxahachie, Texas, where I was born and spent the first seven years of my life, taught my three sisters and me many nursery rhymes. I still remember many of those rhymes, including this profound poem by the great sage, Mother Goose.
Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
I’ve been to London to visit the Queen.
Pussycat pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse under the chair.
How tragic! Why go all the way to London to visit the Queen and get so distracted that you settle for simply being a menace to a mouse.
A greater tragedy is when good and honorable men and women elected to Congress for the upright and befitting purpose of continuing to build this great nation settle for scaring the other side. We remain young for only a short period of time, but we can remain immature for a lifetime. Considering the average tenure of a Member of Congress is 11.4 years, we must make this time our best.
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Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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