Penn Medicine and the VA Team Up to Create a First-in-the-Nation Partnership 

As many of you likely remember, our Coatesville VAMC was slated for closure in March 2022. As a third-generation veteran, I strongly disagreed with the VA’s proposal and invited VA Secretary Denis McDonough to our district to meet with Coatesville VA leadership and leaders from our area hospitals to explain the harm this would cause to our community. Well, Sec. McDonough listened and so did Penn Medicine! 

Fast forward to this week and on June 28, I was honored to participate in the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the Department of Veterans Affairs! This is the first public agreement of its kind in our country’s long history in providing health care to our veterans and was made possible by the PACT Act, which I championed last year. 

The PACT Act allows the VA to lease facility space with an academic affiliate, such as Penn Medicine, for the purpose of providing health care resources to veterans. Penn Medicine has agreed to purchase the former Brandywine Hospital campus and will lease space to the VA so our federal government can continue to provide the best care for our veterans.  

Once again, our PA-06 community is leading the way with collaborative efforts and I’m thankful for all involved in this innovative process. As our federal representative, I will keep you informed of developments on the VA/Penn Medicine collaboration.  

Stomping Spotted Lanternflies out of (Downing)Town

On Monday, I was in Downingtown to announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) strategic plan to stop the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) from further devastating our forests and crops. I was thrilled to have USDA Undersecretary Jennifer Moffitt launch this plan in our community. The SLF infiltrated our community almost a decade ago and has continued to spread to surrounding states. I’ve led bipartisan efforts for research for the eradication of this invasive species since 2019 and will continue to do so. It’s crucial that we provide our farmers, homeowners, and small businesses with the tools they need to keep their plants healthy and our economy thriving.  

With $17.8 million in federal funding set aside, and $6 million for Pennsylvania, the USDA aims to combat this invasive species. Click here to learn more about the USDA’s plan. 

The Inflation Reduction Act - Putting Money Back in Seniors' Pockets

Many of our seniors are on a fixed income with prescription drugs as a large part of their household budget — that’s not right. The good news is that measures in the Inflation Reduction Act lower healthcare costs for seniors! Today, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), I hosted an event in Reading to discuss these important provisions with community members at the Berks Community Health Center. The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Biden in August of last year. This transformational law requires pharmaceutical companies to negotiate lower drug prices for patients who are on government health plans, and ensures people enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans will pay no more than $35 per month for insulin. 

If you couldn’t make it to my event in Reading and would like more information on this bill’s ability to save you money, please click here.   

Town Hall Recap

June is Gun Violence Prevention Month, and June 25 was the one-year anniversary of the first gun reform legislation in 28 years – the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act!

Gun violence prevention is an important topic for our community – gun owners and those who don’t own firearms alike. With that in mind, on Monday I held my 74th town hall on this critically important topic to discuss safe storage, mental health, and what we can all do to prevent tragic shootings. I appreciate hearing directly from you, my community, on this issue, and I’m grateful to my special guests for their perspectives and participation. Many thanks to PA Game Commissioner district 8 Todd Pride, Moms Demand Action volunteer Gina Pelusi, and Wilson High School student Anthony Fiore. If you couldn't make it, click here to listen to a recording of the discussion. 

Happy Independence Day! 🎆

The 4th of July means a great deal to me, as it may for you as well. The day symbolizes our shared commitment to the promise of our nation — one that requires all of us to be involved in the betterment of our community. I encourage folks to have conversations this weekend regarding what it means to be an American and an active participant in our democracy.  

As you celebrate the holiday, please do so safely and with consideration for those in your neighborhood averse to fireworks, including pets, livestock, and wildlife. Earlier today, I was at the Ark Animal Hospital in Wyomissing and they recommended keeping your pets indoors or contacting your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Have an amazing (and safe) 4th of July weekend! 

Serving as our community's representative is the honor of my lifetime, and I hope to hear from you soon about any issue that concerns you.  

As always, please contact my office if you need assistance. 

Be well and see you soon! 

Chrissy Houlahan

Member of Congress