NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend,
This past week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) suspended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of Eli Lilly’s bamlanivimab and etesevimab and Regeneron’s REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody drugs (mAbs) that are used to treat COVID-19 patients. This ultimately resulted in Florida having to shut down their monoclonal antibody treatment distribution sites throughout the state. The FDA has once again flip-flopped on their stance and limited access to life-saving drugs for Americans fighting COVID-19.
Throughout the past year, the Biden Administration has failed to convey their commitment to helping America overcome this pandemic. President Biden continues to place the blame on anyone but himself despite being handed Operation Warp Speed that had proven results.
Republican members of the Florida Delegation and I joined Senator Marco Rubio in demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the sudden suspension of this life-saving treatment. Our states and healthcare providers must have every available, effective resource at their disposal to keep Americans healthy, and politically motivated decision-making should not get in the way of that.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Updates for Veterans
Coronavirus Updates
This Week in the District
Visiting St. Vincent Island Wildlife Refuge
It’s not every day that I have my district and Washington, D.C. staff in one place. This week, my staff and I visited St. Vincent in Franklin County – which if you have not seen this hidden treasure, I highly recommend it. A big thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service team for giving us a tour! The team caring for this wildlife refuge is passionate about the work they do, and it shows. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with the whole team.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Announcement
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations in Florida because of rain, winds, and Tropical Storm Elsa occurring July 7- 8, 2021.
The declaration covers the primary Florida counties of Dixie and Gilchrist, the contiguous Florida counties of Alachua, Columbia, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.88 percent for small businesses and 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Sept. 19, 2022.
Read the full announcement here.
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Addressing Inflated Costs of Health Care Staffing
We have recently received reports that the nurse staffing agencies are vastly inflating price, by two, three or more times pre-pandemic rates, and then taking 40% or more of the amount being charged to the hospitals for themselves in profits. Additionally, amounts charged to hospitals rose precipitously as the newest wave of the COVID-19 crisis swept the nation and the agencies seemingly seized the opportunity to increase their bottom line.
But this is not the first time the agencies have engaged in this sort of conduct. As the first wave of COVID-19 swept the nation in 2020, they similarly inflated their prices to hospitals. Hospitals throughout the country are currently facing a workforce shortage, and they have no choice but to pay these exorbitant rates.
This past week, my colleagues and I sent a bipartisan letter to the White House urging their close attention to this issue that is further straining our health care system. You can read the full letter here.
Ensuring the Stability of Medicare Advantage
I also joined another bipartisan letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) asking that the Administration provide a stable rate and policy environment for Medicare Advantage, including protecting important benefits such as programs focused on in-home health risk assessments and value-based insurance design. We must ensure that those who rely on Medicare Advantage can count on stability in the program and do not face uncertainty about their benefits or premiums next year.
You can read the full letter here.
Updates for Veterans
Virtual Veterans Town Hall – Feb. 3rd, 2022
The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) will host a virtual Veterans town hall meeting on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. During the town hall, NF/SGVHS leaders will provide updates on VA operations and improvement initiatives regarding VA health care, and more. - To join the virtual Veterans town hall, access Webex by clicking here.
- From the homepage of the Webex site where the event is hosted enter access code: 2760 588 5525 in the text box, then enter password: NFSGVHS573!, and select join now. If the event has not yet been started, the join now button will appear dimmed.
- To join the virtual Veterans town hall by phone dial: 1-404-397-1596, then enter the access code: 2760 588 5525 followed by the # key.
Click here if you experience difficulties joining the virtual Veteran’s town hall.
Help is available. You are not alone.
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, anonymous, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
Call 800-273-8255
Coronavirus Updates
Free COVID-19 Tests Are Now Available
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. These are intended for use when you are having symptoms or need a negative test to travel, not to satisfy idle curiosity. They test for the presence of SARS CoV-2 virus particles, not immunity and not the disease “COVID-19.” You can also call 1-800-232-0233. The call line, which serves those speaking English, Spanish, and more than 150 additional languages, is open 8 a.m. until midnight EST, seven days a week.
If you need a COVID-19 test now, please see other testing resources for more information and find a testing site in your area here.
Get Vaccinated
If you still have not been vaccinated, I encourage you to consult your doctor about scheduling an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. The State of Florida has partnered with Sharecare to provide an easy-to-use platform that will save your spot for your shot. Schedule your appointment here. Florida has many sites providing the COVID-19 vaccine. Use the vaccine finder to find a site near you. Supplies are limited and appointments may be required.
The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons aged 12 and up. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are authorized for persons aged 18 and up.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently announced the authorization of single booster doses for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines. You can find more information about the boosters here.
Please consult your doctor before getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Thank you for your continued energy and enthusiasm, as reflected in your letters and Facebook posts. If you haven’t already, LIKE my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter @DrNealDunnFL2. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress!
Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Dunn
Member of Congress
| Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent contacted my office after filing their Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485), with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and not receiving any updates. They filed nearly two years prior and completed all the requirements, but the lack of updates prevented them from working. We were able to work with USCIS to have the application reviewed and their Permanent Resident Card, commonly referred to as a Green Card, issued. Do you need help with a federal agency? Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
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