Friend,

I hope you had a chance to enjoy some great food while spending time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.

During this busy holiday season, I wanted to share some updates for you and your family and share what I’ve been up to around San Antonio the past month.

Resources for You

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment is running now through December 15th, with coverage starting January 1st. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I voted to pass last year, 4 out of 5 Americans can find plans for less than $10 a month. Enroll today here or call 1-800-318-2596.

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Next Week & Avoiding Scams The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period ends on December 7th. During this time, seniors on Medicare can compare plans and choose the best coverage option for their needs and budget. You can explore plan options here or call 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

Fraud and scams targeting seniors can be rampant at this time. Medicare will never call you unsolicited. You can learn more about a common scam and how to protect yourself here.

News from Washington

Expanding Advanced Coursework Opportunities for Underrepresented Students When I was a student at Stanford University, I met students who had racked up dozens of college credits before they even stepped foot on campus. On the West Side of San Antonio, few of my classmates had the same opportunities – but I’ve introduced a bill to help change that.

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would give schools and districts up to $60 million to help underrepresented students enroll in advanced classes -- covering course fees for low-income students, training or hiring teachers to teach these courses, implementing universal screening efforts for advanced students, and more.

Remarkable talent exists in every school and community, but equal opportunity does not. My goal for this bill is to help support our brilliant students by giving them the rigorous opportunities they deserve.

Pushing for Child Care Funding Investments in child care are investments in our entire economy. I know how hard it is to find accessible and affordable child care, and I’m pushing Congress to pass legislation that would lower the cost of child care and make sure all child care workers can earn a living wage.

Around Town

Honoring Our Veterans

I’m proud to represent Military City, U.S.A., and I was honored to attend several events recognizing San Antonio veterans ahead of Veterans Day.

I attended a beautiful Veterans Day ceremony at Leon Valley Elementary School, where I was able to speak with students and the school community about the strength, service, and sacrifice of America’s heroic veterans.

I was also honored to present medals to the family of Specialist 4 Adolfo Aguilar, a San Antonio native and graduate of Lanier High School who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. SP4 Aguilar came from a proud military family, and we will forever be grateful for his service.

My office was also glad to stop by several events for San Antonio veterans, including a celebration of the City of San Antonio’s 1,500+ veteran employees, a ribbon-cutting for the VA’s new Southwest Outpatient Clinic, a graduation ceremony at the Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court, and a Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

San Antonio’s First Gun Buyback

 

My office stopped by San Antonio’s first ever gun buyback event hosted by District 9 Councilman John Courage. Over 900 weapons were safely exchanged for HEB gift cards.

If you were unable to make the event, unwanted weapons can always be taken to any San Antonio Police Department station to be safely disposed of.


Get in Touch

My San Antonio and Washington D.C. offices are open to help residents of San Antonio with issues involving the federal government.

To share your views on policy, request a Capitol tour, or get in touch regarding other matters in Washington, call 202-225-3236.

To get help with a federal agency or get in touch regarding other matters in San Antonio, call 210-348-8216.

Sincerely,

Joaquin Castro
Member of Congress