Broadband Infrastructure Investments Coming to NEPA -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Expanding Broadband in NEPA

Dear John,

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with PA State Rep. Maureen Madden to discuss the historic, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We talked about how important access to broadband is for our rural areas in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The internet is central to many of our lives nowadays. Being online allows workers to participate in the 21st century economy. Companies rely on the internet to expand and develop their businesses. And our children need access to the internet to excel in the classroom.

Today, 19 million Americans lack access to high-speed internet. Over 394,000 Pennsylvanians do not currently have access to broadband. If we're going to compete with other places around the world like China, Russia and Europe, we need to invest in our broadband infrastructure.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests $65 billion to close the digital divide and expand broadband access to communities that have been left behind. From my position on the Appropriations Committee, I'm going to make sure that money reaches communities in need here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

$7.7 Million Coming to NEPA for Rural Health Care Providers

I was proud to announce that over $7.7 million is going to over 100 rural health care providers and suppliers in the Eighth Congressional District.

Health care workers have served their communities with grit and determination through the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will help provide the resources they need, for things like N95 masks, ventilators and workforce development and retention efforts.

This pandemic is not over, and our health care providers continue to play an integral role in keeping our communities healthy and safe. I applaud those agencies who applied for and secured funding. I will continue to support efforts to bring more resources to our rural health centers.

Improving Care and Lowering Costs for Seniors

An estimated 4.6 million direct care workers assist older adults and people with disabilities with everything from bathing and cooking to medication management. Despite the essential nature of their work, many direct care workers fail to earn a living wage. Almost none have opportunities for career advancement.

Unsurprisingly, direct care workers report low job satisfaction, which contributes to high turnover that can be costly and detrimental to patient care.

On Tuesday, I introduced the Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens and People with Disabilities through Workforce Advancement Act. This is a bipartisan bill to create sustainable career paths for direct care workers while improving care and lowering health care costs.

My bill would measure the effect of providing direct care workers additional training, an expanded role and increased compensation on care and cost outcomes.

Providing for Our Servicemembers and National Security

This week, Congress passed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual legislation meets our responsibilities to servicemembers and their families by boosting pay, improving benefits and expanding crucial resources like child care.

It also provides resources to deter aggression from our adversaries and brings our defenses into the modern era. Because of this bipartisan defense legislation, we are more prepared against cybersecurity and digital threats than ever before.

I was proud to work with my colleagues of both parties to provide a robust defense of our national security and honor the brave men and women who serve our country.

Be safe and well,

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