June 20, 2023 

Dear Neighbor,

It was a busy week in Washington last week, and I wanted to update you on all we are doing to help Californians in the 44th Congressional District.  We spoke about Democrats work to save American families money and fight the climate crisis with energy efficiency standards on the House floor, introduced legislation to provide comprehensive dental benefits under Medicare and help better prepare our hospitals for the next pandemic, and as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, advocated for Latino homeownership. 

House Republicans are trying to mislead the public with claims that the Department of Energy wants to ban gas stoves. 

In fact, the energy efficiency standards that the Department of Energy released are for both electric and gas stoves, and will help reduce energy costs for Americans and reduce our climate emissions. 

Democrats are focused on cutting costs for American families, and won't be distracted by political stunts. 

Did you know that Medicare's lack of a comprehensive dental benefit significantly contributes to poor health outcomes for older Americans & the disabled, especially among communities of color? Oral healthcare should not be a luxury. I am proud to lead the effort to fix this by reintroducing the Medicare Dental Benefit Act.

This bill would mandate that Medicare provide comprehensive dental coverage and is an important step towards ensuring accessible oral healthcare for millions of people across the country, including many of my constituents in California’s 44th district, and allow them to get the care they need. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and Monkey Pox outbreak highlighted the strain that epidemics and pandemics can put on our healthcare systems and their workers, especially when it comes to staffing. It is clear that healthcare workers should have paid sick leave during an emergency to ensure our country's economic security and public health.

That's why I introduced the Public Health Emergency Response Act this week. It would protect workers and their families by requiring paid sick leave for employees isolating due to a public health emergency.

Hospital preparedness funding has dropped by 50% over the last 20 years, which hurts our ability to respond quickly to public health crises or natural disasters. 

It's critical that Congress increase funding for these important programs that prepare our nation’s health care system to save lives during emergencies and disasters.  

In last week's Energy and Commerce Hearing, I asked Dr. Raynard Washington of Mecklenberg County Health (Charlotte, NC) how an increase in funding can help hospitals across the country better prepare to address the future crises. 

On Wednesday, I joined Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Juan Vargas, and UnidosUS to advocate for increased Latino homeownership!

When my parents first came to this country, they worked hard and were able to purchase a small home in Harbor City.  It wasn't much, but it gave my family a safe place to stay and continue to build our lives in America. 

Being a homeowner is the most effective way for Latinos to build generational wealth, but we face barriers like predatory lenders, lack of housing to buy, and many more. 

UnidosUS's HOME Initiative is working to increase the number of Latino homeowners in America through targeted investments that will help first time homebuyers access safe and affordable mortgages.  

 The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is committed to helping more Latinos buy homes and live the American Dream.

School may be out for summer, but it's almost time to be looking ahead to the new school year in the fall!  Wilmington will host their annual Back to School Resource Fair at the Community Resource Center on Saturday, July 22nd, from 10am-1pm at the Community Resource Center at 911 North Avalon Boulevard!

Make sure you and your student stop by for FREE school supplies and a backpack giveaway to set your students up for success in the 2023-2024 school year. 

Did you know that Los Angeles Unified offers an early learning program that is free for families? 

Starting this year, all children who turn 4 years by September 1, 2023 will be eligible to attend a Universal Transitional Kindergarten program at their local elementary school. Los Angeles Unified is proud to be two years ahead of the state’s deadline to offer it to all four year olds!

To learn more about the program, please join LAUSD for a webinar on June 22nd at 10:00 am. You can sign up for the webinar here or visit the website to learn more. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán

Member of Congress

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