Dear friend, I hope you and your family are doing well. I wanted to share some updates from me, it’s been a busy month so far! Legislative UpdatesI re-introduced the Mamas First Act, my legislation to expand Medicaid to include doula and midwifery care with Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey, Cory Booker and Representatives Lauren Underwood, Alma Adams, Debbie Dingell, and Ayanna Pressley. Access to doulas and midwives is proven to enhance health outcomes for moms and their babies because of the supportive care they can provide. With more than 40 percent of births covered through Medicaid, this legislation will directly address the maternal health crisis. Read more here.I introduced the Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable (MAMA) Act with Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jeanne Shaheen and Representatives Ann McLane Kuster and Lucy McBath to ensure that government and commercial health insurance plans that offer substance use and mental health treatment offer these services without a copay through pregnancy and one-year postpartum. Our bill will help eliminate barriers to care and connect more pregnant and postpartum mothers with the care they need. Read more here.I joined my Ways and Means Committee colleague, Rep. David Schweikert, in advancing comprehensive legislation aimed supporting both tribal members and tribal nations by promoting economic development and tax parity. Among many measures, this legislation includes a key provision to ensure tribal governments can use tax-exempt government bonds in the same way as state and local governments. A tribal government could then use these new incentives to support the development of housing, public parks, and infrastructure projects.Academy ReceptionI was so proud to honor the impressive young men and women who will be nominated to U.S. Military Service Academies. It was great to celebrate with their families and I look forward to their service and contributions making our district and nation proud!Congressional Art Competition There are so many creative young people in the district, and I love being able to recognize our local talent through the Congressional Art Competition. The winner's artwork is hung in the U.S. Capitol alongside other district winners and there is a ceremony in D.C. to celebrate. See pictures up close by clicking here.Pushing for the CROWN Act Ending hair discrimination is personal for me. I have my own hair journey and felt the pressure to style my hair in a certain way when I first ran for Congress. Now, I stand in Congress wearing sister locs, joining my colleagues in re-introducing the CROWN Act to help end hair discrimination. You can read my op-ed here.Supporting Economic Growth and Lowering CostsI joined MSNBC to discuss how the Biden economy continues to deliver for Wisconsin, helping lower costs including health care and energy costs and create good-paying jobs.My Office is Here to HelpAs always, my office is here to help. If you need help with a federal matter, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 414-297-1140.Your friend,Gwenimage widget