Supporting Memphis Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
Dear Friend,
This week, I attended the Greater Memphis Chamber’s press conference announcing the launch of the Ascend Memphis Business Development Pilot Program for minority and women-owned businesses, attended the ceremony designating Orange Mound as a Preserve America Community, praised President Obama for signing the 21st Century Cures Act into law, called for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Russia's involvement in the 2016 Presidential election, announced that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended a provision to help hospitals treat Medicaid patients in Tennessee, and announced a more than $11.5 million federal grant for Shelby County Head Start Programs. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Supporting Memphis Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
Designating Orange Mound as a Preserve America Community
Building a Healthier America
Calling for Hearings on Russia's Involvement in our Elections
Fighting for Tennessee Hospitals
Securing Funding for Early Childhood Education
Helping Memphians Get Covered
Weekly Health Tip
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
Supporting Memphis Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
On Thursday, I attended Greater Memphis Chamber’s press conference announcing the launch of the Ascend Memphis Business Development Pilot Program to increase the success of local small, women and minority-owned businesses. This program will pair successful small businesses with women and minority-owned businesses to teach them best practices to be successful. Two years ago in my Memphis Office, I spoke with President and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber Phil Trenary on the need to address the disparity of wealth in Memphis and the need for more minority-owned businesses in the city. If the African American community does not prosper, then Memphis does not prosper. I would like to thank Phil Trenary, Shea Flinn, Andre Gibson and the other members of the Chairman’s Circle for their foresight and follow through on getting this program started. I would also like to thank Beverly Robertson of TRUST Marketing who will create and manage the Ascend Program.
Designating Orange Mound as a Preserve America Community
Today, I attended the Orange Mound Preserve America designation ceremony at Mt. Pisgah CME Church. In November, I announced that First Lady Michelle Obama had designated Orange Mound as a Preserve American Community, and I was proud to write a letter of support to the Office of Preservation Initiatives for Orange Mound’s application. I would like to thank the Blues City Cultural Center for their performance on the origins of the Orange Mound neighborhood during the ceremony. I would also like to acknowledge Khumari McElroy, Student Body President from Dunbar Elementary School, for his excellent speech. Thank you to Jordan Tannenbaum from the Office of Preservation Initiatives, Executive Director of the Melrose Center for Cultural Enrichment Mary Mitchell and Dr. Cynthia Sadler for their work in putting this ceremony together.
On Tuesday, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law. I am proud this law includes our EUREKA Act to help encourage innovative solutions to fight awful diseases like Alzheimer’s, as well as Vice President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, increased benefits for mental health patients, grants to help combat the opioid epidemic and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
I was honored to be quoted in the New York Times twice last week from my floor speech in support of the 21st Century Cures Act. You can read those articles here and here. You can watch my remarks on the House floor here and read more about my work on this bill here.
Calling for Hearings on Russia's Involvement in our Elections
On Monday, I called on House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte to hold hearings on reports that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Donald Trump win and, further, that the FBI knew of this and did not disclose it. However, despite FBI Director James Comey’s terrible errors of judgement, I am withdrawing my suggestion that he should resign. Read more about why here. Read my letter to Chairman Goodlatte here.
Fighting for Tennessee Hospitals
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has extended the TennCare II section 1115 demonstration through June 30, 2021. This continued funding from CMS is critical to the success of hospitals in Memphis who rely on these payments to cover unreimbursed costs. I was proud to write a letter to Secretary Burwell in support of the extension of TennCare Section 1115. Read more here.
Securing Funding for Early Childhood Education
On Wednesday, the Shelby County Board of Education was awarded a more than $11.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Head Start projects for early childhood education in Memphis and Shelby County. Read more here.
The open enrollment period for the Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace for 2017 plan shopping and comparison is open. The deadline to sign up for health insurance coverage beginning January 1, 2017 has been extended to December 19, 2016. The federal marketplace closes on January 31, 2017. Visit my website for more information on getting covered for 2017.
Each week, I will be suggesting a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it’s best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
Receiving regular cancer screenings can help detect diseases early and save lives. For more information on various cancer screenings, visit the National Cancer Institute’s website here.
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
My office currently has a limited number of 2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress