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Hello everyone,
As the superintendent of Denver Public Schools, I worked with Denver’s hardworking teachers, school leaders, and staff who educate our kids and keep them safe. I was devastated this week when two administrators were shot at Denver’s East High School. My heart is with the victims and their loved ones, the students, parents and staff at East High School, and the entire Denver community, as we witness another act of gun violence at this school.
What’s worse: this tragic incident occurred on the second anniversary of the King Soopers mass shooting in Boulder, when a gunman took ten innocent lives – a reminder of how common these acts of violence have become.
The morning after the shooting, the Denver Post quoted a student from East High, who said, “high school shouldn’t be like this.” And they’re right. We cannot continue to face shooting after shooting without doing something about it.
I will continue to work in Washington to pass common-sense legislation to protect our communities against the gun violence that we see everyday in our country. This cannot be the country we pass on to our kids and grandkids.
Sincerely,
Michael
MAKING MENTAL HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE
While federal law requires most health insurance plans to treat physical and mental health care equally, millions of seniors, kids, and low-income families on Medicare and Medicaid still face unnecessary obstacles to accessing the mental health care they need.
This week, I introduced a bill to increase access to mental and behavioral health services for Americans enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. My bill would encourage doctor’s offices and schools to make mental health services more accessible, and require all health care plans to charge equally for mental and physical health care. This bill takes an important step toward addressing our nation's mental health crisis.
PROTECTING KIDS FROM HARMFUL TECHNOLOGY
Over the past few months, online chat tools powered by artificial intelligence – commonly known as chatbots – have captured Americans’ attention. Recent reports have brought to light how these chatbots could put our kids at risk. While posing as children, researchers received answers from these chatbots that were verbally abusive, encouraged deception, and even suggested self-harm.
This week, I urged technology companies like Microsoft, Snapchat, and Facebook to protect younger users from these risks. While this technology is a testament to American innovation, it cannot come at the expense of our children and their safety.
ADDRESSING CHINA’S THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY
China poses an increasing threat to our national security – not just through its military, but also through technology, including the TikTok app, which is used by more than 150 million Americans. In my interview on Colorado Point of View, I addressed China’s rise and the need to defend democracy at home and abroad.
Watch my full interview HERE.
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