| April 14, 2012 |
Dear El Pasoans,
This past Wednesday I was proud to present Project Amistad a $4.2 million award letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for being selected to participate in the Community-based Care Transitions Program (CCTP). Project Amistad’s Aging, Disability & Transportation Resource Center (ADTRC) of El Paso and Far West Texas has been selected to partner with the CCTP.
ADTRC will partner with Providence Memorial Hospital, Sierra Providence Hospital, Sierra Providence East Medical Center, Del Sol Medical Center, and Las Palmas Medical Center, and downstream providers and social service agencies to deliver community-based care transition services in El Paso county and surrounding areas.
The funding for the competitive award was made possible through the Affordable Care Act, and is specifically designated to test models for improving care transitions for high risk Medicare patients by using services to manage patients’ transitions effectively. The purpose of CCTP is to improve transitions of beneficiaries from the inpatient hospital setting to other care settings, to improve quality of care, to reduce re-admissions for high risk beneficiaries, and to document measurable savings to the Medicare program.
Ultimately this program will help reduce the growing issue of hospital re-admissions in our community and will result in cost savings for El Paso seniors. Providing our Medicare patients with complete post-hospitalization care and empowering them to take control and understand their medical needs, will keep them from being readmitted and they’ll be able to remain at home.
In El Paso, we have over 92,000 Medicare beneficiaries so I look forward to the positive impact that the Care Transitions Program will have in our community, particularly with our seniors. I commend Project Amistad’s staff for their continued hard work and dedication to serving El Paso seniors and people with special needs.
Reyes visits with students from David L. Carrasco Job Corps
I was pleased to meet with Vista Hills Rotary Club and visit with the students at the David L. Carrasco Job Corps Center. I’m always impressed by the students at the center who are learning to become skilled and productive leaders in our workforce. We are fortunate to have such a high-caliber Job Corps program serving the young people in our community.
During my visit I had the opportunity to discuss the positive economic signs in our community. While too many people are still unemployed, I am encouraged by news that El Paso's unemployment rate fell again in January to 9.6%, and the national economy experienced the highest growth since the second quarter of 2010. Our country's economy is on the right track and continues to recover. As our region continues to face economic and employment challenges, we must work even harder to provide much needed jobs in our community. We cannot stop until everyone who is looking for a job can find one. I will continue to focus on meaningful legislation that creates jobs in El Paso and West Texas.
One example of legislation we discussed was my work on the PORTS Act, a measure that I authored to dramatically increase funding and staffing levels at our land ports of entry, and more importantly improve the flow of commerce and reduce bridge wait times which would benefit the border region as a whole. The PORTS Act will provide jobs through the repair and modernization of the infrastructure at all U.S. land ports of entry. The legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Border Trade Alliance, and the National Treasury Employees Union.
We also spoke about the expansion of Fort Bliss which is having a major, positive impact in our local economy. According to REDCO, the total impact of Fort Bliss growth and defense contractor activity from 2006-2013 will result in over $21.7 billion in additional economic impact including: over $13.9 billion of new labor income, over $227 million in new property taxes; and over $50 million in new sales taxes. There is no other economic event in El Paso’s history that will have such a significant positive economic impact on the region.
Lastly, we had the opportunity to discuss the American Jobs Act and the substantial economic benefits it would bring to El Paso. The American Jobs Act would take critical steps toward putting El Pasoans back to work today while strengthening our economy for tomorrow.
One of the most important provisions in this bill includes making investments in El Paso’s infrastructure. With the passage of the Jobs Act, El Paso would receive $34,000,000, according to White House estimates, in immediate investments to repair roads and highways, making transit more safe and efficient while creating hundreds of construction jobs. An investment in our roads is an investment in our economic future.
The Jobs Act also makes critical investments in education. For example, the bill is estimated to provide over $45,000,000 to the El Paso Independent School District alone to protect teachers from shrinking budgets, and another $66,000,000, according to White House estimates, to modernize our public schools and ensure that our children are attending schools in 21st century buildings. Shortcuts in education have never helped our country grow, so it is critical to invest in our children today and equip them with the capacity to be successful tomorrow.
It is important to note that the investments provided in the American Jobs Act would not add to our nation’s federal deficit, and it is a first good step to continue to help the country move in the right direction.
Reyes nominates 24 El Paso students to U.S. Military Academies
This past week, it was my distinct pleasure to nominate 24 students from El Paso to America's prestigious service academies. I am so proud of this highly talented group of students that have demonstrated a strong commitment to their community and country, and I am confident that they will serve our country with the utmost honor and distinction.
The 24 young men and women nominated this year once again comprise a highly talented group of students from throughout El Paso. My Military Academy Advisory Board assists with me with nominations, which are based on a comprehensive evaluation. Candidates must complete a rigorous application process and demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and a commitment to want to serve in the United States military.
Each year we nominate top students from the El Paso area to attend America's prestigious service academies. The academies include the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), the United States Naval Academy (USNA), the United States Military Academy – West Point (USMA), the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and their respective Prep Schools.
To view the names of the nominees and academies click here
To view photos from the 2012 Military Academy Nomination Ceremony visit my Flickr page or Facebook page.
Students who are in their junior year in high school and are interested in applying for next year can visit www.reyes.house.gov, under “Constituent Services,” to get more information about the nomination process.
Please visit my website at www.Reyes.House.gov to get the latest news about my activities in Congress and be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr for updates.
Saludos,
Silvestre Reyes
Proudly representing the
16th District of Texas
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Latest Video
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes released a video message for the “It Gets Better” campaign. The video is part of a larger effort to reach out to LGBT youth and other young people who are facing harassment, bullying, and rejection because of who they are. Today, Congressman Reyes will provide remarks at the Youth Anti-Bullying Rally at the Chamizal National Memorial hosted by Operation No Gangs at 3:00 pm.
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Latest News
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Reyes Presents $3.6 million USDA check to Colonia Revolucion for water improvement projects
Senate Hearing Held to consider Reyes-authored bill to preserve Ysleta Del Sur
Reyes opposes budget cuts to programs serving seniors, veterans, and children
Mayor John Cook, Rep. Silvestre Reyes discuss monorail to ease border freight traffic
Reyes announces homeless assistance and stop-loss payment deadline extension for veterans
Reyes invites El Paso Community to join White Ribbon Day Campaign Wednesday
Drawing by Hanks High School student wins Congressional Art Contest
Reyes statement on the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
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This center provides students with useful educational tools on the student center section of my website:
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Just for Kids
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Latest Photos on Flickr
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes visits VOLAR Center for Independent Living to discuss impacts of the Republican passed Ryan budget that could affect people with special needs. (April 2012).
Congressman Silvestre Reyes and El Paso Mayor John Cook meet with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of investing in ports of entry in the El Paso-area. This past week Congressman Reyes and Mayor Cook held a press conference to discuss El Paso’s Efforts to Reduce Border Wait Times (March 2012).
Congressman Silvestre Reyes attends Southwest Career College Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to open its 85,000 square foot automotive facility (March 2012).
Robert Jacquemotte, representative from Southwest Airlines, 12 year-old sister, Kiana Espino, 2012 Congressional Art Winner, Francisco Espino, and their mother Ms. Espino are photographed by community members after Francisco, a junior at Hanks High School, was named the 2012 Congressional Art Winner by Congressman Silvestre Reyes. Francisco's art will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with hundreds of other art pieces. (March 2012).
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