Student Debt Relief, Domestic Violence & Breast Cancer Awareness, Rockdale Transportation Summit & More
I know we are all struggling with high prices. That’s why I supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers costs by slashing prescription drug prices, combats rising energy costs and lowers health care costs through locking in lower health care premiums and extending ACA subsidies.
Speaking of fighting inflation, I’m excited to share some good news about how Congress and the President are lowering costs that will directly impact more than 200,000 Fourth District residents.
LOWER PRICES FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS
President Biden and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that hearing aids are now available over the counter without a prescription.
That means hearings aids are now on store shelves across the country — which could save families $3,000 on average per pair. Although the over-the-counter hearing devices won't be suitable for children or people with severe hearing impairment, this means significant breathing room for the nearly 30 million Americans with hearing loss, including nearly 10 million adults under age 60. For more on over-the-counter hearing aids, click HERE.
STUDENT DEBT RELIEF
Last month, President Biden announced that the federal government will provide historic, targeted assistance to millions of working families – delivering up to $20,000 in debt relief for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for non-Pell borrowers. More than 1 million Pell Grant recipients in Georgia are eligible for relief. Estimates show that more than 158,000 Fourth District residents are eligible for some form of student debt relief provided under the Biden-Harris Administration plan. The website to apply for the that relief is now live at studentaid.gov. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023. For more on whether you qualify and income requirements, click HERE.
OCTOBER IS BOTH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). It was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30-plus years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals. Several members of my staff attended the Women’s Resource Center To End Domestic Violence 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil in Decatur last night commemorating DVAM. The event remembered those lost, celebrated those who have survived, and asked our community to renew their dedication to ending violence against women in particular. For more, click HERE.
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. We have work to do to ensure every woman has access to the screenings she needs and the support she deserves. For more, click HERE.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Halloween is scary enough without anything truly bad happening or accidents taking place. Please keep these simple safety tips in mind, even if you are only celebrating in your own home this year:
Prevent Fires and Burns: Select flame-resistant materials when making or purchasing costumes and accessories and choose battery-operated lights and candles instead of open-flame candles.
See and Be Seen: Trim costumes and outerwear with reflective tape and carry flashlights and glow-sticks when trick-or-treating after dark.
Fit for Safety: Secure hats, scarves, and masks to provide adequate ventilation and visibility and adjust costumes to ensure a good fit. Long capes or skirts can drag on the ground and cause falls. To watch a quick Halloween safety video, click HERE.
ROCKDALE TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT
I was honored to participate in the Rockdale County Transportation Summit this week that included Chairman Oz Nesbitt, the mayor of Conyers, members of the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Atlanta Regional Transit Link Authority and more. Like the Biden Administration, I believe we need to elevate equity, sustainability, and affordability when it comes to transportation. What’s more, we should rethink our dependence on highways and cars and instead lean into different types of projects, from transit to walking and biking. For too long, this comprehensive vision has been an elusive dream that, in recent years, has not only become more pressing but also more achievable. To read the speech I delivered, click HERE.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. Please have a safe and enjoyable weekend. If you have any issues with a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 770-987-2291.