Rep. Johnson's E-Newsletter for April 17, 2014

July 2, 2014

Dear Friends,

I’m pleased to report that eight million Americans have now found health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces – joining the three million young adults who have been able to remain on their parents’ plans, and the millions more who are securing new coverage for themselves and their families through the expansion of Medicaid.

Unfortunately, Georgia's leadership continues to play politics with Medicaid expansion that would cover an additional 650,000 Georgians who do not have coverage today.

The good news is more than 220,000 Georgians are now getting healthcare coverage from plans offered on the exchanges. I will continue to work with my colleagues to strengthen and improve these historic protections and urge my Republican friends at the state level to expand Medicaid. I believe given a chance to succeed, the law will help provide personal and economic freedom to millions of students, seniors, entrepreneurs and families. For more, click HERE.

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: I know some of you have been frustrated by the state’s problem-plagued SNAP or food stamp system over the past several months, which has prevented thousands of people from receiving critical assistance in a timely fashion.

Please know my office is doing whatever it can to help constituents navigate the cumbersome state system.

In the meantime, the federal government has given the state of Georgia a 30-day deadline to show significant progress. If it fails to meet that deadline, the federal government might begin with withholding $15 million in federal funds from Georgia as soon as May 14, 2014. The federal government will continue to provide technical assistance to Georgia and hope the withholding of administrative funds will not be necessary.

For more, click HERE.

ANNUAL ARTS COMPETITION: I’m pleased to announce we are holding this year’s Congressional Arts Competition awards program on Saturday, April 26 at the Lou Walker Senior Center at 10 a.m. The annual event displays the community’s finest young artists. Eligible high school students throughout the district, which include parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties, have entered this year’s contest to compete for more than $23,000 in scholarships from the Art Institute of Atlanta and the Savannah College of Art & Design. Hope to see you there.

FOR YOUR/MORE INFORMATION:

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Please remember you can reach me on Facebook and Twitter as well as e-mails, phone calls and letters. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.