Containing the Ebola Epidemic

Last week I joined with my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging decisive action to protect our citizens from a potential domestic outbreak of Ebola. Ebola poses a clear threat to our citizens, and I believe our government must take aggressive action to combat and prevent its spread in the United States. I urge President Obama to direct his administration to institute travel restrictions from regions that are experiencing the epidemic, as well as implement enhanced airport screening and possible quarantine of individuals who have traveled to, or from, the regions that have been most impacted by this epidemic. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals who have been exposed to Ebola likely will show signs of the disease within 21 days of exposure, but not necessarily before then.  Given the deadly nature of this disease, I believe it is appropriate that this administration direct the CDC, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, to order our customs and border agents to begin more active screening of travelers to and from affected countries in West Africa, as well as prepare for possible quarantine for any individual who has traveled to or from affected countries within the dormancy period.  In addition, I believe that it is appropriate for the Department of State to suspend earlier-issued visas until further notice from countries that are experiencing this crisis.  It is my understanding that 27 African countries already have taken such action to protect their own citizens.

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Student Debt And The Millennial Entrepreneurship Paradox

The millennial generation is living in what one could call a paradox as it relates to entrepreneurship. On one hand, the millennials could be the new great generation. They are the most educated cohort in the history of the United States, they have broad exposure to entrepreneurship in higher education, and popular culture is filled with stories of their entrepreneurial successes, from the kids just getting started to millennial uber-entrepreneurs like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. On the other hand, millennials could be the new lost generation. They are heavily saddled with student debt, weak career prospects, and for all this expanded entrepreneurship exposure, most measures of entrepreneurship among younger workers are stagnant to falling.

Read more at Forbes.com

Health Resources and Services Administration Response to my Letter on Organ Transplant

Last month I led a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration regarding the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) who manage organs for transplants in the U.S. 

After considering a plan which would have diminished the availability of organs for transplantation in various locations including Kansas, UNOS decided to study further before making a final determination on organ distribution. This delay is a major victory for those concerned about preserving these lifesaving procedures in our region.

Last week, I received a response letter from the Department of Health and Human Services, which doesn’t directly address our concerns. Click here or on the image of the letter below to read their response. I’m disappointed that HHS, in conjunction with the other organizations who manage the organ transplant network, have missed the central point of this discussion: the solution involves more donations not redistribution. I am committed to working towards that goal with my colleagues in Congress. 

Read more here.

I continue to encourage other regions to adopt grassroots donor education programs, like one promoted by Overland Park-based Gift of Life, which has reached more than 200,000 people in the Kansas City area by sending speakers to 90 area high schools. After learning of their options, over 70 percent of the students reached say they want to become donors. It is by replicating programs like Gift of Life we will address donor shortages. 

Visiting El Centro and Reading to Head Start Student

As part of National Head Start Awareness month, I enjoyed reading to a classroom of 3 year old students last week at the The Academy for Children at El Centro in Kansas City, KS. This past month marked the 50th anniversary of Head Start-- their motto for this special occasion is "50 Years of Opportunity." I firmly believe that all children in America should be given the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Educating our children at an early age is essential to ensure success later. Thank you to El Centro for having me!

Visiting Happy Bottoms

Thank you to Liz Sutherlin and her gracious staff for showing me around the HappyBottoms.org warehouse in Lenexa last week. As the area's largest diaper bank, HappyBottoms will have distributed over 1.2 million diapers by the end of the year to families in need. In fact, they have reached over 1800 babies just this month. As a parent of an infant, I understand the importance of this effort and want to thank HappyBottoms for all they do for babies and families in Kansas City.

Visiting Mosaic in KCK

Thank you to Mary Hindle and Lana Smith for inviting me to tour Mosaic in northeast Kansas in Kansas City, KS.

Mosaic partners with people with intellectual disabilities to give them a voice, provide a safe home in a caring community and expand opportunities for a meaningful life. I appreciated seeing firsthand the amazing work taking place there.