NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT
Dear Friend,
August is here, and while the term “August Recess” may sound like we’re taking a break, I assure you I’m not slowing down on my work to get you and your family the protection and treatment you need.
Operation Warp Speed, an effort by the Trump Administration to expedite the development of vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19, is going better than any of us imagined. As a medical professional, I’m amazed by the great advances we’ve made in just a few short months. You will have better access to testing by September 2020, and we are confident that access to a vaccine is right around the corner.
In addition, I have co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to ensure our medical professionals can receive funding to cover expenses and lost revenue due to the pandemic without facing an undue tax burden. Our medical professionals have fought on the frontlines for months and should have access to the funding they need to continue their outstanding work.
We’re making great strides in responding to this pandemic. However, this is a team effort. Please remember to take the proper precautions to protect yourself and your family. Wash your hands, use sanitizer liberally, cover your cough or sneeze, physically distance yourself from others, wear a mask if you’re unable to physically distance yourself, and above all, stay home if you are feeling ill. I’ll continue to update you on developments in the coming weeks.
Please read about my week below:
My Week on Capitol HillHelping Our Health Care Providers
This week, I co-introduced a bipartisan bill with Representative Cindy Axne (IA-03) to reduce tax burdens on health care providers that could limit their ability to combat COVID-19. In response to COVID-19, Congress authorized $175 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) to help health care providers cover expenses and lost revenue due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, this funding can increase a provider’s overall tax liability. This bill will fix that.
Our health care providers have gone above the call of duty this year. Providers who are tirelessly fighting on the frontlines should not have to face an unfair tax burden as a consequence of accepting COVID-19 related aid. The physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, home health aides, lab technicians, and countless other health care professionals who have sacrificed for our country deserve our thanks and this bill is a step in the right direction.
My Latest Op-Ed: How We React Matters
We all have seen the rising COVID-19 numbers reported in the news, and I know that they’ve stirred a lot of emotions recently. I took the time to write an opinion piece to ease some of the panic. The opinion editorial was published in the Panama City News Herald and the Lake City Reporter. In the article, I breakdown what statistics we should be concerned about, and how we all should approach this pandemic with facts and a level-head. I’ve seen our district overcome a lot, especially in the last few years. We can get through this, as well. Read the full article here.
Committee UpdatesVeterans Affairs Committee
This week, the Subcommittee on Health met to discuss the oversight of State Veteran Homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This could not be more timely. Due to their age, their health, and the difficulty of socially distancing in a group setting, nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
In the hearing, I mentioned how it’s ultimately the states, not the VA who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of these facilities. This hearing was a great opportunity to reevaluate the relationship between State Veterans Homes and the VA in order to improve the quality of care for our veterans.
Coronavirus UpdatesRecent Updates
- Operation Warp Speed: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have announced the investment of $248.7 million in new technologies to address challenges associated with COVID-19 testing. NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative has awarded contracts to seven biomedical diagnostic companies to support a range of new lab-based and point-of-care tests that will significantly increase the number, type and availability of tests by millions per week as early as September 2020. These technologies are expected to make a significant contribution to expanding the nation’s, and our district’s, testing capacity.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its frequently asked questions on the Emergency Use Authorization for Remdesivir for Certain Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. The update includes a question regarding changes to Gilead’s Fact Sheets for Health Care Providers and Patient and Parent/Caregivers. Gilead updated the fact sheets to incorporate the sponsor’s use of the proprietary name Veklury.
- The FDA has also kicked off their PSA campaign that seeks to dramatically increase donations of convalescent plasma by the end of August in the whole-of-America fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Find out if your donation could save lives here.
- Warning – Several instances have been reported regarding people receiving mysterious seeds in suspicious packaging that they did not order. PLEASE do not plant these seeds. We are still investigating what they are and why they were sent. Report the seed package to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov. After reporting the seed package, an inspector from the FDACS Division of Plant Industry will contact seed recipients to schedule a safe, contactless collection of the seeds, packaging and mailing materials
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress!
Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Dunn
Member of Congress
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IN THE NEWS
Constituent Casework Corner
I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to the hardworking individuals at the Passport Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of State. In recent weeks, a large number of constituents have contacted my offices about their pending passport applications. While many federal agencies can telework, the Passport Agency does not have that ability because of the sensitive material included with passport applications. They have gone above and beyond in processing an unprecedented number of applications due to the backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The work has not gone unnoticed and I sincerely appreciate the dedication in working with my offices, so my constituents receive their passports in time for their travels.
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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