Congressional Update from U.S. Congressman Andy Barr
Delivering a Major Boost to BCTC’s Nursing and Biotechnologist Programs
On Tuesday, I visited Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) to deliver a major, $1,570,000 federal grant. This grant will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, double the amount of credentialed biotechnologist graduates, and increase the number of nurses in the BCTC program from 130 to 190. Our office secured these federal funds during the latest Congressional appropriations process.
Nationwide, we face a shortage of biotechnologists and in the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Hospital Association estimates that 22% of nursing positions remain vacant statewide. I applaud BCTC for stepping up to fill gaps in both of these important fields.
Raising Awareness for Heart Month and Highlighting the CAROL Act
February is Heart Month. Every February 22 is Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, and this year, I visited Saint Joseph Hospital to have my heart checked by cardiologist Dr. Nezar Falluji. Over 11 million people live with valvular heart diseases in the U.S. and over 25,000 Americans die each year from valvular heart disease. So, I honored my late-wife Carol, who passed away from sudden cardiac death brought on by her underlying valvular heart disease in 2020, by getting myself checked. I encourage others to do the same.
I also appeared on Good Morning America to discuss this event and the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act. The CAROL Act, which is a tribute to Carol, will authorize $28 million for new research annually for five years. This includes $20 million for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), to support research on valvular heart disease, and another $8 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase public awareness regarding symptoms of valvular heart disease.
Secured a $1.5 Million Funding Package for Kentuckians in Recovery
Last week, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and I announced the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will allocate $1,461,639 to Kentucky for the Recovery Housing Program. This transitional housing pilot program was established under the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act, which was championed by Senator McConnell and I. The CAREER Act was signed into law in 2018 as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.
The CAREER Act, designed to address the devastating impact of substance abuse on America’s workforce, helps connect individuals recovering from addiction with career services and stable housing opportunities. This recovery housing funding will go to nonprofits to help provide safe, temporary housing to individuals in addiction recovery while they rehabilitate and reenter the workforce.
Kentucky Newsmakers with Bill Bryant
I joined Bill Bryant on Kentucky Newsmakers to discuss my committee assignments, the new Republican majority, and my legislative priorities in the 118th Congress.
FYI-- I will be on Fox and Friends Tomorrow at 6:40am to Discuss Biden's Politicization of Retirement Accounts
Sincerely,
Congressman Andy Barr
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