Press Releases

“Our nation is facing a severe economic crisis,” Congresswoman Kaptursaid. “We face the highest unemployment rates in a generation and anuncertain road forward. This legislation strengthens the safety net formillions of seniors and unemployed Americans. It also makes importantinvestments in our future. Although I wish it would have focused moreon job creation in the short term, I am also encouraged by thecommitment to green energy, infrastructure projects, and high-speedrail.”

“America is simply not ready for the conversion,” said Kaptur. “In my district alone, more than five thousand households are still waiting for the coupons to buy converters so their TV screens don’t go dark. Nationally, an estimated two million households remain on a waiting list requests for these coupons. An estimated 6.5 million households would lose reception without an extension of the deadline.”

Kaptur said the coupons are important, particularly for senior citizens who rely on television as their primary source for information such as weather and emergencies.

“Insuring children is especially important at a time when our communities are facing double-digit unemployment,” Kaptur said. “I am hopeful that our Congress and our new president can continue relieve the worsening burdens on hard-hit families across the nation. Now so many American families can cease to worry about insuring their children.”

The award of $1.26 million will be used to upgrade mechanicalsystems at OVH and cover 65 percent of the cost of construction. Theremainder of the project will be funded through the state of Ohio.

“This work will not only stimulate the local economy, but improve thequality of life for our veterans at the home in Sandusky,” Kaptur said.“What an honor it is to serve those who have served our nation.”

The bill, which reauthorizes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for five years, preserves coverage for more than seven million American children, including more than a quarter of a million children in Ohio, and extends coverage to an additional 4.1 million children.

According to Families USA, the measure would extend coverage to 119,000 children in Ohio, where currently 214,000 children remain uninsured. That translated to a reduction in the number of uninsured children in Ohio by 56 percent, according to the non-profit advocacy group.