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1 BIG THING: ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
What’s happening: Rural hospitals in Colorado and nationwide are facing serious workforce shortages due in part to a lack of affordable housing options. From Alamosa to Glenwood Springs, many facilities are struggling to hire, making it harder for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans to see their doctor.
What I did: This week, I heard from rural health care leaders about the unique needs of our country’s rural communities. I also visited Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo where I saw how funding I helped secure will help equip a new hospital to better serve the community.
What I believe: It’s unacceptable that so many Coloradans struggle to access the care they need. I'll keep doing everything I can to help Colorado meet this challenge.
2. IMPROVING MAIL DELIVERY FOR COLORADANS
What happened: The U.S. Postal Service (USPS)’s planned changes to its processing and delivery network could slow down mail delivery nationwide, especially in rural communities. In Colorado, these proposed changes include redirecting mail from Grand Junction to Denver, requiring outgoing mail to travel over 500 miles for sorting.
What I did: I’ve pushed to improve mail service for Coloradans. In April, I wrote a letter to USPS expressing concerns about the effect of these changes on the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center. Last week, I joined 24 bipartisan colleagues to again urge USPS to pause changes and prevent further mail delivery delays.
Great news: This week, USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that USPS will pause changes to processing facilities across the U.S., including in Grand Junction. I’m pleased that USPS has heard our calls and I'll continue to work to ensure they address the potential effects on local mail delivery.
3. CELEBRATING A MILESTONE
What’s happening: At 90 years old, Denver’s Edward Joseph Dwight Jr. will become the oldest person to travel to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket. Ed is a former U.S. Air Force test pilot, engineer, businessman, and sculptor.
Looking back: Ed joined the Air Force in 1953, where he led a distinguished career as a military pilot. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy selected Ed as the United States’ first Black astronaut candidate. However, despite rigorous training and overcoming significant racial prejudice, he was ultimately not selected as an astronaut in 1963.
What I did: This week, I introduced a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Ed for his profound impact on both space exploration and the arts. It is a privilege to recognize Ed's place in American history with the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress – I wish him luck on Sunday.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- Colorado received $32.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead water pipes across the state. Every Coloradan deserves access to clean and safe drinking water.
- May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Our state and country are better for the contributions of the AAPI community.
- This week was Women’s Health Week – an opportunity to highlight the unique health care challenges many women face in this country.
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