WinnDems News

Earlier this week, fifteen villages in Northwest and Central Illinois had not claimed funding owed to them WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced the overwhelming success of her campaign to secure $762,918 in federal funding for Illinois villages at risk of losing vital resources. After being alerted that villages and townships had yet […] The post Following Push From Bustos, 15 Illinois Villages Successfully Claim More Than $760K in Federal Funding Ahead of Deadline appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8hHXl

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped pass a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open through December 3, 2021. The resolution extends government funding through December 3, and includes two emergency supplemental funding bills to address recent natural disasters and support the resettlement of Afghan evacuees. “A government shutdown in the middle […] The post Bustos Votes to Avoid Federal Government Shutdown appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8h27P

Efforts to give 2.2 million Americans health insurance hang in the balance as Congress debates a massive spending bill. The so-called Medicaid gap is felt most acutely in Texas, where about half of those who stand to gain coverage live. http://dlvr.it/S8drkG

More than 2 million low-income adults are uninsured because their states have not accepted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Congressional Democrats want to offer them coverage in the massive spending bill being debated, but competition to get into that package is fierce. http://dlvr.it/S8drhF

MOLINE — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced $2,832,862 in federal health center infrastructure grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “Through my work on the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to secure American Rescue Plan funding for health infrastructure in underserved communities […] The post Knox, Winnebago, Henderson & Whiteside Counties: Bustos Announces More Than $2.8 Million in Local Health Center Infrastructure Grants appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8cJYp

GALESBURG  — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced a grant of $1,964,930 will be received by Bridgeway, Inc. in Galesburg to support mental health and substance abuse services. Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, are on the rise following the COVID-19 pandemic, while concerns over the opioid epidemic are […] The post Bustos Announces $1.9 Million for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Galesburg appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8bwXd

Funding will be forfeited if not claimed by September 30th, 2021 WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) is continuing her push for local leaders to claim pandemic relief federal funding allocated to villages in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. After being alerted that 15 villages and townships had yet to claim funding through the American […] The post TWO DAYS LEFT: Bustos Continues Push for Local Villages to Claim COVID Funds with Just Seven Villages Still Unclaimed appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8bpNj

MOLINE — This month, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) sent a letter to the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency expressing concern over the agency’s plan to close all drop-off recycling locations by September 30, 2021.  “As you know, many Rock Island County residents lack access to curb-side recycling. These residents rely on each of these […] The post Bustos Urges Rock Island County to Reconsider Closures of Drop-Off Recycling Locations appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8WMw9

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswomen Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a bicameral group of Congressional members spanning seven states in a letter urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any reduction in biofuel blending requirements. After recent reports that the Administration may be considering […] The post Bustos, Axne, Craig, Klobuchar Lead Members Across Seven States in Urging Administration to Increase Biofuels Usage appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8WBVL

Sediment from massive blazes chokes rivers and reservoirs, contaminating water supplies. The problem is only getting worse as climate change intensifies wildfires and lengthens the fire season. http://dlvr.it/S8VDSd

There are many ways to cleanse indoor air of dangerous smoke particles, which are particularly harmful to people with chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions. Some are expensive, but cheap alternatives exist. http://dlvr.it/S8VDS5

The ad, advanced by a right-leaning seniors advocacy organization, mischaracterizes proposals to bargain on drug prices, regarding both the effects on the Medicare program and on beneficiaries. http://dlvr.it/S8VDMj

Funding will be forfeited if not claimed by September 30th, 2021 WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) highlighted that more than $762,000 in federal funding allocated to villages in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District remains unclaimed.  “Some of our smallest communities are at risk of losing federal funding owed to them through the American Rescue […] The post Bustos Highlights Unclaimed COVID Fiscal Recovery Funds for Illinois Villages appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8Qx16

Among the people still reluctant to get vaccinated — and pushing against mandates — are firefighters, many of whom also respond to medical calls as paramedics and EMTs and have witnessed the ravages of the pandemic firsthand. http://dlvr.it/S8QJ8b

Coronavirus outbreaks have shuttered K-12 classrooms across the U.S., affecting tens of thousands of K-12 students. To avoid the same fate, some school districts are tapping federal dollars to set up testing programs and step up their vigilance against the virus. http://dlvr.it/S8QJ74

KHN’s Sarah Jane Tribble and Arthur Allen join Science Friday host Ira Flatow to recap the evolving news in the run-up to offering booster shots for the covid vaccine. http://dlvr.it/S8QJ3B

Package includes Bustos-Authored Amendments to Recognize WWII Cadet Nurses and to Fund Innovative Digital Defense Designs WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, helped pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of the House. Passed annually, the package provides a pay raise for […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Strong National Defense Bill appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S8DKkS

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) cast her vote in support of the bipartisan, bicameral Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act. The legislation would replenish funding for the Iron Dome, a defensive system co-developed between the United States and Israel, designed to protect civilian life in the only democracy in the Middle East. “Safeguarding civilian […] The post Bustos Statement in Support of Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S88nr4

Congress is back in session with a short time to finish a long to-do list, including keeping the government operating and paying its bills. Hanging in the balance is President Joe Biden’s entire domestic agenda, including major changes proposed for Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the new Texas abortion law that bans the procedure early in pregnancy is prompting action in Washington. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb about his new book on the covid-19 pandemic. http://dlvr.it/S88MxT

Biologic drugs, made from living organisms, and the cheaper biosimilar drugs that mimic them are more complex than chemical drugs and their generic counterparts. The Food and Drug Administration says biosimilars are as safe and effective as the biologics, and doctors agree — but they are cautious about changing the treatment regimen of patients doing well. http://dlvr.it/S86fPQ

Capitol Hill lawmakers mobilize to support a bill that would write abortion protections into federal law. Unlikely to succeed, the exercise follows a tactic that proved unsuccessful in 1992. http://dlvr.it/S86fP0

Here’s an out-of-the-box idea: Have letter carriers spend less time delivering mail and take time to perform home visits and basic health checks on the growing population of frail and elderly. http://dlvr.it/S86fLC

WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, along with General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos, as well as House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Chair Sanford Bishop issued the following statement in response to the House including critical disaster relief funding in the Continuing Resolution: “The ag disaster assistance contained in the continuing resolution is absolutely […] The post Chairman David Scott, Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos, and House Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Sanford Bishop Issue Statement on Disaster Relief Funding in Continuing Resolution appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S84Tdh

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement after casting her vote to help pass a continuing resolution that will raise the debt limit through December 16, 2022 and keep the federal government open through December 3, 2021. The resolution includes provisions extending government funding through December 3, as well as two emergency supplemental funding bills […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Continuing Resolution to Fund Federal Government Through December 3rd and Raise Debt Ceiling appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S83Tm6

Billings Clinic in Montana is past the tipping point as it looks for places to add intensive care unit beds and is on the cusp of rationing care to deal with the surge of sick covid patients in a state with significant anti-vaccination sentiment. http://dlvr.it/S82x5M

The Food and Drug Administration has been mired in controversies related to drug approvals and covid vaccines, all without a permanent leader. http://dlvr.it/S82x1f

The nine commercial insurers in Medi-Cal must reapply by submitting bids for new contracts. The state hopes the process will improve care for low-income residents and tighten accountability, something critics say has been missing. http://dlvr.it/S7zHGQ

This episode highlights how New York enacted a charity care law, one of the precursors to the federal provision on charity care in the Affordable Care Act.   http://dlvr.it/S7zHFx

The House oversight committee is requesting conflict-of-interest disclosure forms from a National Academies committee studying organ transplants. KHN previously reported on apparent conflicts among members of a committee studying drug waste.  http://dlvr.it/S7zH9z

MOLINE – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today announced $1,325,923 in federal funding to the Quad Cities International Airport. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration will help the airport improve and extend taxiways and remove runway and taxiway pavement. “Quad […] The post Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce $1.3 Million for Quad Cities International Airport Improvements appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7xkT8

OPM’s approval of the bonus comes after Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos’ advocacy on behalf of USP Thomson for more than a year SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved  a 25 […] The post DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, BUSTOS ANNOUNCE APPROVAL OF RETENTION BONUS FOR USP THOMSON TO ADDRESS STAFFING SHORTAGE appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7xkQ3

I was miserable for five days, am fully recovered a month later and have learned even more about what we do and don’t know about covid now. http://dlvr.it/S7vcMK

Public health experts increasingly urge people to upgrade to surgical masks, but also maintain that cloth masks still offer protection. http://dlvr.it/S7vcHW

The plans are designed for people who don’t get dental coverage through their jobs and can’t afford an individual plan. For about $300 to $400 a year, patients receive certain preventive services at no charge and other procedures at a discount. http://dlvr.it/S7l7xM

Patients with advanced cancer and heart disease are among those who have had to have surgeries and other treatments delayed and rescheduled as a high number of critically ill, unvaccinated covid patients strain the medical system. http://dlvr.it/S7l7wm

Doctors are trying to figure out why some kids become much sicker than others and, in rare cases, don’t survive. http://dlvr.it/S7l7sJ

Democrats have hit a snag in their effort to compile a $3.5 trillion social-spending bill this fall — moderates are resisting support for Medicare drug price negotiation provisions that would pay for many of the measure’s health benefit improvements. Meanwhile, the new abortion restrictions in Texas have moved the divisive issue back to the political front burner. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interview’s KHN’s Phil Galewitz about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment, about two similar jaw surgeries with very different price tags. http://dlvr.it/S7j4zW

According to New Report, Child Tax Credit Tax Cuts are Generating Nearly $20 Billion in Local Economic Activity Each Month Nationwide, Supporting Local Businesses and Jobs MOLINE — Congresswoman Bustos highlighted a new report from the Joint Economic Committee today estimating that 71,000 Child Tax Credit monthly tax cut payments were sent to families in […] The post BUSTOS: CHILD TAX CREDIT DELIVERED $33.4M IN TAX CUTS TO NORTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS FAMILIES IN AUGUST appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7h4S1

With real-time data streaming in from highly specialized researchers in the U.S. and abroad, NIH scientists became convinced that boosting the covid-19 vaccine was needed to save lives, prompting the president to announce a plan with a Sept. 20 start date. Scientists at the regulatory agencies weren’t yet convinced. A meeting Friday will determine what happens next. Here’s the story from behind the scenes. http://dlvr.it/S7gVX3

After their brother died, two sisters faced a barrage of misinformation, pandemic denialism and blaming questions. Grief experts say that makes covid-19 the newest kind of "disenfranchising death." http://dlvr.it/S7gVT4

A class action lawsuit seeks better care for immigrants with physical disabilities or mental illness who were detained after trying to enter the country. Other disabled immigrants without legal status are also finding it difficult to get care. http://dlvr.it/S7gVNH

At least 26 states have passed laws to permanently limit public health powers, a KHN investigation has found, weakening the country’s ability to fight not only the current resurgence of the pandemic but other health crises to come. http://dlvr.it/S7bxhs

There’s agreement that the plan includes important action items but also elements that will trigger political opposition. http://dlvr.it/S7bxdg

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) cast her vote in support of a budget resolution that will pave the way for President Biden’s Build Back Better Act and the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. This is the first step to advance the Build Back Better Agenda, which will deliver transformative, life-changing benefits for […] The post Bustos Votes to Advance Build Back Better Agenda appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7Y6xL

KEWANEE – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that the City of Kewanee Fire Department will receive a $204,761regional grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This funding will be used to provide firefighters with improved National Fire Protection Association compliant tools and equipment as well as new […] The post Bustos Announces $204,761 Regional Grant for Kewanee Fire Department appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7Y6w2

PEORIA – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Peoria Mayor Rita Ali visited the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria today to meet with officials and discuss their efforts to support the unit’s C-130 aircraft. While there, the group […] The post Bustos, Durbin, Duckworth, Pritzker & Mayor Ali Tour 182d Airlift Wing, Secure Commitment from Air Force Chief of Staff to Safeguard Wing’s Mission and C-130 Aircraft appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/S7Y6qT

A hospital in Bozeman, Montana, is considering whether to add inpatient psychiatric care after a concerted push from mental health advocates. But even if it adds beds, hospitals across Montana provide a cautionary tale: finding enough workers to staff such beds is its own challenge, and some behavioral health units routinely reach capacity. http://dlvr.it/S7XDKY

Unvaccinated people are filling intensive care beds and dying of covid in record numbers in Tennessee and other Southern states. Many tell their nurses and doctors they regret the decision not to get the vaccine when they could. http://dlvr.it/S7XDFV

If Gov. Gavin Newsom survives Tuesday’s recall election, the health care unions that have campaigned on his behalf intend to pressure him to follow through on his promise to establish a government-run health system in California. http://dlvr.it/S7ShMs

More than 40 states have turned to managed-care companies to control costs in their Medicaid programs, which cover low-income residents and people with disabilities. As Georgia prepares to open bidding on a new contract, the question looms: Has this model paid off? http://dlvr.it/S7ShMm