Fighting for Florida

A PDF of the letter is available here.

April 25, 2018
The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Rubio,

I am writing to you in my capacity of incoming President of the Safety Net Hospital
Alliance of Florida (aka the Safety Net Alliance). Our members include Florida’s largest and most prominent public, teaching, children’s and regional perinatal care hospital systems.Despite representing just 10 percent of Florida’s hospitals, each year we provide one-fourth of Florida’s hospital care to senior citizens who are Medicare beneficiaries equaling over $4.6 billion netMedicare dollars. Our association would like to offer our enthusiastic support for S. 2690, Reforming Medicare Appeals Process Burdening Florida’s Hospitals. We believe it will bring much-needed checks and balances to Medicare’s Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) finance and accounting administration.

Your good bill makes several important changes to the Medicare statute that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the DSH program. Perhaps most importantly, it removes the current handcuffs on hospitals’ right to due process in administrative and legal challenges to Medicare’s DSH payment data and decisions. Allowing hospitals to effectively state their case in these proceedings will lead to more bureaucratic errors being identified and corrected. This will in turn bring increased transparency and efficiency to a program that, while essential to the health of our communities, is too often administered in an obscure and capricious manner.

Why do we care? This bill will ensure that we are able to continue to care for Florida’s Medicare beneficiaries.If you recall, Tampa General Hospital nearly lost two million dollars in Medicare DSH payments last year after a Medicare claims administrator failed to properly account for uncompensated-care claims data. While, thanks to your assistance, Tampa General was ultimately paid what Medicare owed them under the law, an intelligently run program should have no need for such interventions. We hope that S. 2690 will bring some of that intelligence to Medicare’s DSH program.

The Safety Net Alliance is a Florida not-for-profit corporation whose fourteen members include Florida’s largest and most prominent public, teaching, children’s and regional perinatal care hospital systems. Despite representing just 10 percent of Florida’s hospitals, our members collectively manage one-third of all Florida hospital patient days while absorbing 40 percent of the state’s hospital charity care costs and 30 percent of all Medicaid days. Our small group of hospitals are recognized for their unique shared mission to train tomorrow’s physicians and provide accessible high-quality specialty care to all Floridians, regardless of their ability to pay.

In closing, I would like to extend not only my gratitude to you as a champion for Florida’s most vulnerable and the hospitals that serve them, but offer my assistance as well. Please let me know if there is anything the Safety Net Alliance or I can do to support your efforts to shepherd this important bill through the process.

Lindy Kennedy
Executive Vice President

Preliminary numbers courtesy of Senate Appropriations Committee.

Member	Subcomm.	Agency	Provision/Funding
Rubio	AG	ARS	Maintains language for facility lease agreements
Rubio	AG	ARS	Retains report language on Citrus Greening Disease Research
Rubio	AG	ARS	$32.5 million increase for the Agricultural Research Service
Rubio	AG	ARS	Retains report language on Aquaculture
Rubio	AG	ARS	$1 million increase for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$48 million increase for NIFA programs
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$2.5 million for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD)
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$1.5 million increase for Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$25 million increase for AFRI
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$2 million increase for the Food Safety Outreach Program
Rubio	AG	NIFA	$35 million for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Rubio	AG	APHIS	$178.2 million provided for Specialty Crop Pests, including the Citrus Health Response Program
Rubio	AG	APHIS	$2 million increase for Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination
Rubio	AG	APHIS	$981.9 million provided for APHIS, an increase of $35.7 million
Rubio	AG	APHIS	Report language retained for Huanglongbing Emergency Response
Rubio	AG	APHIS	$705,000 provided for Horse Protection
Rubio	AG	FSA	Fully funds Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund loan programs
Rubio	AG	NRCS	$10 million increase for Conservation Technical Assistance
Rubio	AG	RUS	Water & Waste - $1.057 billion for Water and Waste programs, an increase of $539 million above FY2017 enacted levels. This funding will support an additional $4.1 billion in loans and $895 million in grants
Rubio	AG	RUS	Maintains loan level for direct Rural Electrification Loans at $5.5 billion
Rubio	AG	RBS	ATTRA funded at $2.75 million
Rubio	AG	FNS	$10 million increase for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Rubio	CJS	NIST ITS	MEP = $140 million, an increase of $10 million over FY2017 enacted
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Stock Assessments - Provide up to $10,000,000 under NMFS for red snapper stock assessments in the Gulf of Mexico.
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Report language - econ and social science research - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Report language - Gear Study for South Atlantic Region - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Report language - MRIP - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Report language - South Atlantic Red Snapper - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NMFS	Report language - South Atlantic Red Snapper Hooked Gears - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NOS	Coastal Zone Management Grants - $75,000,000 = $5,000,000 increase over FY2017 enacted amount.
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NOS	Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NOS	National Marine Sanctuaries - $54,500,000 = an increase of $3,500,000 over FY2017 enacted.
Rubio	CJS	NOAA NWS	Analyze, Forecast and Support - Retained Senate report language
Rubio	CJS	NOAA PAC	CDARS = $21,650,000 = an increase of $21,150,000 over FY2017 enacted.
Rubio	CJS	NOAA PAC	Hurricane Hunters - Expanded on Senate report language and provided $121,000,000 for NOAA to procure a hurricane hunter backup.
Rubio	CJS	JJ	Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Missing and Exploited Training and Technical Assistance Program - $76M ($3.5M increase)
Rubio	CJS	OVW	Office on Violence Against Women Grant Programs = $492 million
Rubio	CJS	JJ	National Institute of Justice; Comprehensive School Safety Initative - $75M; report lang included
Rubio	CJS	NASA Exploration	Human Exploration Operations Programs - Full funding for Exploration Ground System at KSC, plus $350 million for new mobile launcher
Rubio	DEF	Air Force	$5.65M above PB for F-15 modifications.
Rubio	DEF	Navy	$7.5M above PB for Ocean Warfighting Environment Applied Research
Rubio	DEF	Navy	$5M for Advanced Submarine System Development
Rubio	DEF	Defense-Wide	Supports PB for Microelectronics Technology Development
Rubio	DEF	Navy	Supports PB for: E-2D, E-2D Advanced Procurement; E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; MQ-4 Advanced Procurement; MQ-8 UAV; P-8A Advanced Procurement; F-18 Advanced Procurement
Rubio	DEF	Navy	$465M for an additional (3) P-8A aircraft
Rubio	DEF	Navy	$739M above PB for an addiitonal (10) F-18s for the Navy.
Rubio	DEF	Air Force	Support of PB for E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS)
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Supported the budget request of $82 million for Herbert Hoover Dike construction and included an additional $180 million in the additional funding pot for Flood Control in the Construction account. In FY17, the Herbert Hoover Dike project received an additional $18.67 million from this additional funding pot.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included additional $35 million in the Construction account for Environmental Restoration and Compliance. In the FY17 work plan, the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration project received an additional $8.5 million from this additional funding pot.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included senate report language in the Investigations account for Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Expedited Validation Study which urges the Corps to expedite the required validation report for the Central Everglades Planning Project.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included senate report language in the Investigations account encouraging the Corps to conduct, at full federal expense, a study of the coastal areas in the South Atlantic Division to identify the risks and vulnerabilities of those areas to increased hurricane and storm damage reduction as authorized in section 1204 of the WIIN Act.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included senate report language in the Construction account that Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan-Indian River Lagoon-South urging the Corps to expedite preparations for design work on the C-23 and C-24 South Reservoirs that along with C-44 Reservoir.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included senate report language in the Construction account urging the Corps to provide states with guidance and recommendations to implement cost effective measures and planning for sand management. Also included conference report language encouraging the Corps to include in future budget submissions the study of sediment sources authorized in section 1143 of PL 114-322
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included additional $3 million for the Continuing Authorities Section 103- Shore Protection.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included two construction new starts for Navigation, and one construction new start for a Coastal Storm Damage Reduction project (the Lido Key Shore Protection project would be eligible to compete under this new start).
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included additional $481 million above the FY17 enacted levels in the O&M account including $24.28 million for Navigation Maintenance; $30 million for Inland Waterways; and $50 million for Small, Remote, or Subsistence Navigation.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included additional funding to meet the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending target established by WRRDA 2014.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included $40 million in the O&M account for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included senate report language in the Construction account directing the Corps to make publically available a comprehensive snapshot of all SFER cost-share accounting down to the project level for FY18 by September 30, 2018.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included $6 million for Coastal Ocean Data System (CODS), $3.5 million above the budget request.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Included $70 million above the budget request in the Construction account for Environmental Infrastructure. In FY17, the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements received $2M from this additional funding pot.
Rubio	EWD	Corps of Engineers	Supported the budget request of $10 million for the National (Levee) Flood Inventory remaining line item in O&M, $5 million above the FY17 enacted levels.
Rubio	EWD	DOE/ODA	$25 million to address threats to critical infrastructure and industrial control systems
Rubio	EWD	DOE/ARPA-E	$353.314 million for ARPA-E
Rubio	FSGG	SBA	Report language requiring a briefing on the effect of Zika on small businesses
Rubio	FSGG	SBA	Report language for a study on the geographic dispersion of Small Business Investment Companies
Rubio	FSGG	GSA	Funding for Ft. Lauderdale, FL courthouse
Rubio	FSGG	Treasury	Report language on Puerto Rico technical assistance
Rubio	FSGG	ONDCP-DFC	Increased funding for Drug Free Commmunites program
Rubio	FSGG	ONDCP-HIDTA	Increased funding for HIDTA program
Rubio	Interior	NPS	Report language included to help strengthen the coordination between federal and state management of marine fisheries management and ecosystem protection in Biscayne National Park.
Rubio	Interior	NPS	Restored cuts proposed by the Administration for Everglades and $10.032M included for Everglades.
Rubio	Interior	USFWS	Invasive species funding within the FWS is at the enacted level or higher throughout the bill. Within the National Wildlife Refuge account, there is specific report language calling out the Service's work on invasive species efforts in the Everglades.
Rubio	Interior	USGS	Funding for invasive species is continued at the enacted level with report language for Everglades work to continue.
Rubio	Interior	USFWS	Report language related to the Fish and Wildlife Service's current CITES permitting process is included with the goal to identify bottlenecks within the current system causing delays in permit approval.
Rubio	Interior	EPA	The South Florida program is funded at the FY 17 level and there is specific report language relating to the program.
Rubio	Interior	USFWS	State and Tribal Wildlife Grants are funded at $63.6 million, a $1 million increase from FY 17.
Rubio	Interior	Smithsonian Institute	Report language on the Latino museum is included.
Rubio	Interior	LWCF	LWCF programs receive $425M, a $25M increase and includes 4 FL projects.
Rubio	LHHS	DOL	$86.1 million for Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/HRSA	+$135 million for opioid response within community health centers
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/HRSA	Continues funding at $2.319 billion for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/HRSA	Includes $20.8 million for Poison Control Centers (+$2 million)
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/HRSA	Includes $651.7 million for the Maternal & Child Health Block Grant (+$10 million)
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/Opioids	Provides $3.6 billion for opioid response, an increase of $2.55 billion. Increases are as follows: $415 million for HRSA, $350 million for CDC, $500 million for NIH, $100 million for ACF, $1.2 billion for SAMHSA, of which $1,000 billion is for state block grants which includes a 15 percent set-aside for hardest hit states, $50 million for Tribes, and $4 million State floor.
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CDC	$615 million (+$30 million) for Emerging Zoonic and Infectious Diseases
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CDC	$670 million (+$10 million) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CDC	An increase of $350 million for Prescriptions Drug Overdose activities
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CDC	$141 million (+$3 million) for National Center on Birth Defects
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CDC	$49 million (+$5 million) for Rape Prevention
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/CMS	DME Interim Final Rule SOM language
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/OS	Includes Zika report language in the Senate bill
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/OS	Includes Risk Corridor bill language
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/PHSSEF	An increase of $7.5 million for National Disaster Medical Reserve Corps
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/PHSSEF	$25 million increase for BARDA
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/PHSSEF	$200 million for Project BioShield
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/NIH	$3 billion increase for National Institutes of Health
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/NIH	$140 million increase for BRAIN Initiative
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/NIH	$292.8 million increase for National Cancer Institute
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/NIH	$414 million increase for Alzheimer's Research
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$299 million increase for IDEA Grants to States
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$58 million increase for Charter Schools Programs
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$7 million increase for Magnet Schools Program
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$2.5 million increase for Special Olympics
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$10 million for the new Statewide Family Engagement Centers program
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$82 million increase for Aid for Institutional Development programs
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$75 million increase for CTE State Grants
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$107 million increase for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Rubio	LHHS	ED	$26 million increase for AmeriCorps State and National grants
Rubio	LHHS	HHS/ED	$47 million increas for school safety evidence-based competitive grant programs at Education and HHS, and $700 million increase in Student Support and Academic Enrichment formula grants to school districts that can be used for school counselors, school-based mental health and related activities.
Rubio	LHHS		$47 million increase for school safety
Rubio	Leg Branch	Sergeant at Arms	Increases funding for cybersecurity efforts in the Senate
Rubio	Leg Branch	Senate	Report language for Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
Rubio	MilCon-VA	DoD	includes full funding for Florida MILCON request at Eglin AFB, Mayport, MacDill AFB, Hurlburt Field and Patrick AFB
Rubio	MilCon-VA	DoD	includes an additional two Florida projects from the UFR list authorized in the NDAA at Eglin AFB and Tyndall
Rubio	MilCon-VA	DoD	includes report language regarding strategic disperal of east coast homported capital ships, as you requested
Rubio	MilCon-VA	DoD	includes report language regarding test and training range instrumentation modernization, as you requested
Rubio	MilCon-VA	VA	Camp Lejeune water claims report language
Rubio	MilCon-VA	VA	PTSD treatment at universities report language
Rubio	MilCon-VA	VA	reforms to expediate the appeals process report language
Rubio	MilCon-VA	VA	oversight of substance inspection programs for opioid treatment report language
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Prohibits funding to implement the UN Arms Trade Treaty. (Section 7062)
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Provides $275 million for the GAVI Alliance.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Maintains current funding levels for HIV/AIDS programs, including bilateral PEPFAR programs and the Global Fund.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Includes $20 m for democracy programs in Cuba.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Includes $15 m for democracy promotion in Venezuela.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Provides not less than $3.1 billion for assistance for Israel, which is equal to the current MOU level.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Provides $55.5 m for internet freedom programs, including for firewall circumvention technologies.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Includes reporting requirement on human rights in Hong Kong.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Maintains the “Helms Amendment,” banning the use of foreign aid funding for abortions; ensures that family planning programs funded through this bill are voluntary; and prohibits funding of organizations the President determines to support coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Includes $25m for programs to combat modern slavery.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	Includes a total of $78.8 m for programs to combat trafficking in persons.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	$170m for the National Endowment for Democracy, equal to the FY 2017 level.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	$2m for the Congressional-Executive Commission on China
Rubio	SFOPS	State	$44.2 m for Radio Free Asia.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	The bill continues current law restrictions on assistance for the West Bank and Gaza, as well as restrictions on assistance for the Palestinian Authority.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	$615 m to support the US Strategy for Engagement in Central America.
Rubio	SFOPS	State	$17m to support Tibetan communities.
Rubio	THUD	DOT	TIGER funded at $1.5 billion ($500 million was requested)
Rubio	THUD	FTA	Supports funding CIG consistent with authorized levels ($2.645 billion is provided)
Rubio	THUD	FHWA	Supports fully funding FHWA at authorized levels ($47.498 billion provided)
Rubio	THUD	FRA	Includes report language on DOT adopting a standardized Bench Test Equipment (BTE)
Rubio	THUD	FAA	Fully funds contract towers at $165 million
Rubio	THUD	FAA	Supports fully funding the Airport Improvement Grants at $3.35 billion ($4.35 billion provided)
Rubio	THUD	FAA	Supports fully funding AST – funded at $28.959 million - $22.587 million for Ops; $4.5 million for F&E; and $1.872 million for R,E&D (Requested $29.587 broken down as $21.587 million – Ops, $4.5 million – F&E, and $3.5 million – R,E,&D)
Rubio	THUD	MARAD	Supports funding the Small Shipyards Grant Program at $30 million ($20 million provided)
Rubio	THUD	HUD	Includes language provisions strengthening inspections and improving the physical quality of HUD-assisted properties
Rubio	THUD	HUD	AFFH – Included modified language that prohibits funds being used for AFFH if HUD is dictating local zoning
Rubio	THUD	HUD	Report language included on best practices for producing new housing in high cost metropolitan areas
Rubio	THUD	HUD	HOPWA funded at $375 million

Additionally:

$6 million for CDC tracking of Muscular Dystrophy

$38.6 million for CDC vector-borne diseases

$23 million for CDC tracking of Autism

Department of Agriculture

$2.36 billion for crop disasters as a result of hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 to remain available through 2019
$22 million to repair damages to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities, including four in Florida: Canal Point, Miami, Fort Pierce, and Ft. Lauderdale
$165.475 million to repair drinking water systems and sewer and solid waste disposal systems affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in small rural communities
$24 million to provide an additional 35 million pounds of food for food banks in states affected by hurricanes and wildfires
$14 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to help repair and replace equipment in WIC clinics in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
$7.5 million for State and Private Forestry. The Forest Service will use these funds to support damage assessments, technical assistance, and invasive species assessment and mitigation work on State and private lands

Army Corps of Engineers

$15.055 billion for project construction, including expedited completion of Herbert Hoover Dike at full federal cost, and complete restoration of hurricane-impacted federal beach renourishment projects in Florida
$135 million for project investigations, including Senator Rubio’s South Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study at full federal cost
$608 million for project Operations & Maintenance, including repairs to Everglades restoration project infrastructure
$810 million for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies needs, including in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Includes general reporting provisions that requires the Corps of Engineers to provide monthly damage estimates and progress assessments to Congress

Department of Energy

$13 million for activities related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, including technical assistance related to electric grids

U.S. Coast Guard

$112.1 million to provide for the costs of Coast Guard personnel responding to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria
$718.9 million to repair and strengthen facilities and assets damaged by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Matthew

Department of the Interior

$207.6 million for National Park Service Construction to rebuild and repair facilities and other critical agency infrastructure, including for new facilities at Everglades National Park

Environmental Protection Agency

$6.2 million for the Superfund program to help repair damage sustained to remedies at Superfund sites, including removal of damaged tanks and containers and repair of groundwater monitoring wells, aeration towers, and fencing
Provides Puerto Rico access to previously appropriated State Revolving Fund money to help rebuild the island’s clean water and drinking water systems

Department of Commerce

$18 million for marine debris removal - important for Florida’s waterways and coastal waters, which are still plagued by safety hazards
$600 million for the Economic Development Administration to provide grants to communities directly impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as other disasters declared in 2017. This funding will support immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery projects, including repairing and replacing basic infrastructure needs that are vital for local economic recovery
$200 million for Fisheries Data Assistance (Note: Florida’s fisheries disaster request for Hurricane Irma is still pending with the Department of Commerce)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

$81 million to repair facilities damaged at NASA’s Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers

Department of Homeland Security – $24.7 billion

Funding for the Disaster Relief Fund to support response and recovery efforts to support Florida and Puerto Rico
Funding to address damages to CBP facilities resulting from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria
Funding to repair and restore the San Juan Customs House, improve its functionality, and terminate costly temporary leases
Funding to repair ICE facilities in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, and Florida that sustained water damage

Department of Housing and Urban Development – $28 billion

Funding for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), at least $11 billion of which will go directly to Puerto Rico and USVI
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, which will help victims of the natural disaster avoid being penalized for weighing all disaster assistance

Department of Transportation – $1.828 billion

Funding to replace Federal Aviation Administration’s equipment
Funding for Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program

Department of Education – $2.7 billion

Funding for building and facility repairs and accommodating enrollment of displaced students
Funding for Higher Education Institutions that have taken in students from hurricane affected areas, such as Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Funding to assist students that became homeless because of the hurricanes

Department of Health and Human Services

Medicaid for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI): $4.9 billion
For both Puerto Rico and USVI, there is a temporary 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
Funding necessary for Florida’s hospitals to repair damage from the storm
Includes language modeled after Senator Rubio’s legislation to ensure that HHS has the necessary medical personnel needed to respond natural disasters

Department of Veterans Affairs - $93.5 million

Includes funding to cover increased costs to maintain medical services and funding to repair damaged medical facilities in Florida and Puerto Rico
Includes funding to repair damages to the Puerto Rico National Cemetery

Department of Labor – $130.9 million

Funding necessary to rehabilitate and repair Job Corps Centers in Puerto Rico
Funding for disaster response economic recovery through the Dislocated Worker National Reserve

Small Business Administration – $1.65 billion

Funding for Small Business Disaster Loan Programs

Legal Services Corporation – $15 million

Funding to provide storm-related services to LSC client populations affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as wildfires in 2017

Department of Defense (DOD) – $1.55 billion

“Last night I terminated the employment of my Chief of Staff after personally receiving a complaint about his conduct, and thereafter coming into possession of clear and irrefutable evidence of workplace misconduct and harassment. It was the express wish of those injured in this matter to remain anonymous and to not have any details publicly released which could result in their identities being revealed. I have honored these requests to the best of my ability. If at any time in the future they decide to come forward publicly they will have my full support, cooperation and assistance.

“The overwhelming majority of media outlets have responsibly respected our decision to honor this request. They understand that it would be morally wrong to cause further injury to those victimized in this matter by ignoring their wishes. Sadly, at least one media outlet, the Miami Herald, does not share this view.

“On Sunday, they published an article which calls into question the validity of what they erroneously describe as a ‘hasty’ investigation, and cynically imply that by honoring the specific request of the victims we are withholding information they are entitled to. It appears their desire to obtain as many salacious details as possible in order to publish a story that generates traffic for their website has blinded them to the fact that reporting harassment is a very difficult decision for many victims. This is especially true for those employed in government, who too often prefer to not come forward in order to avoid having their stories reported in the press and becoming a permanent result of any internet searches about them.

“No matter how many articles of this kind they choose to publish, they will never pressure me to violate the trust the victims have placed in me. Not only is this the right thing to do in this particular case, if victims of harassment come to believe that they cannot report harassment without having their identities revealed, it may discourage those who do not want to be publicly identified from reporting cases of harassment in the future.”

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to appreciate, with our families and friends, the unlimited opportunities and promise America has to offer. This land is the greatest nation mankind has ever known, in part because it was founded to protect the inalienable rights bestowed on us by our Creator, allowing us to thrive in freedom and prosperity.

As you enjoy turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and football, I encourage you to take some time to show gratitude to those around you – for the foundation of a strong and prosperous America always start with the family.

Finally, let us remember that our freedom could not be possible without the valor and sacrifice of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. Many of them will not be able to join their families this Thanksgiving. But while they may be far away today, they are still close in our hearts.

May God bless you. May God bless all those who protect us. May God bless Florida. And may God always bless the United States of America.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

Mientras Puerto Rico se recupera después del Huracán Maria, mi oficina está dispuesta a ayudar a todos en Puerto Rico. Para solicitar asistencia directa, envie un correo electrónico a PR@rubio.senate.gov.

Click here for English.

Para ayuda con los alimentos o agua potable, refugio, o suministros medicos contacte las siguientes agencias:

1. La Cruz Roja Americana
Si usted ha sido afectado por un desastre, puede usar la página de la Cruz Roja Americana para escribir "mensajes de sano y salvo” que sus seres queridos puedan llegar a ver. El registro en el sitio web Sano y Salvo es completamente voluntario y usted puede ingresar y actualizarlo en todo momento. Las búsquedas de información en el sitio web necesitarán siempre que usted ingrese solo su nombre y dirección o teléfono. El resultado de la búsqueda solo mostrará su nombre, apellido, la fecha y hora de registro y un pequeño mensaje contando su historia. Para registrarse como Sano y Salvo usted se compromete a hacer uso de la información como esta escrito en esta página.

Para encontrar búsquedas, haga clic aquí.
También puede registrarse como Sano y Salvo escriba la palabra “SAFE” en un mensaje de texto al número 78876.
Para hablar con un empleado de la Cruz Roja Americana sobre una persona desaparecida que tiene un problema de salud muy serio, llame al (1-800-733-2767).

2. El registro de Menores no Acompañados

Si encuentra un menor separado de sus padres o guardianes legales, por favor llame a su agencia local de policía inmediato. Luego completa el siguiente. El Registro de Menores no Acompañados es compatible con el Centro Nacional de Niños Desaparecidos (NCMEC) por los que el público puede reportar la información relacionada con los niños que han sido separados de sus padres o guardianes legales como consecuencia de un desastre. Esta herramienta permitirá que el NCMEC pueda prestar asistencia a las autoridades locales y asistir en la reunificación de los niños desplazados con su círculo familiar o tutores legales. Si le resulta problematico reportar en linea (por internet), por favor, llame al telefono de NCMEC 1-800-THE LOST, (1-800-843-5678). Atienden las 24 horas del dia. Un menor no acompañado es un niño que ha sido separado de sus padres, tutores legales, y otros parientes y no están siendo atendidos por un adulto que, por ley o costumbre, es responsable de hacerlo.

3. FEMA
Aunque muchos estadounidenses están trabajando arduamente para ayudar a sus vecinos en estos momentos catastróficos, hay algunos que siempre tratarán de aprovecharse de los más vulnerables. Para disipar algunos de los rumores falsos que circulan por internet y las redes sociales, FEMA atiende algunos de los temas más communes en esta página web.

Información de FEMA sobre el Huracán Maria está disponible aquí:

Información addicional para Puerto Rico está disponible aquí:

http://eldiamenospensado.pr.gov/ (Puerto Rico)
http://www2.pr.gov/Pages/Huracan.aspx (Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico’s Federal Affairs Administration:
Por correo electrónico: maria1@prfaa.pr.gov

Los sobrevivientes pueden recoger alimentos y agua en el ayuntamiento de las siguientes ciudades:

Puerto Rico

Aguadilla
Aibonito
Arecibo
Bayamón
Camuy
Canovanas
Ciales
Culebra
Mayaguez
Ponce
Rincon
Rio Grande
Santa Isabel
Utuado
Vega Alta
Vieques

Para ver los avisos importantes sobre la recuperación de Puerto Rico: Haga clic aqui: http://status.pr/

As Puerto Rico begins to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, my Senate office stands ready to serve you and our fellow Americans on the island. For direct assistance from our office, you can email us at PR@rubio.senate.gov

Para español, haga clic aquí.

If you or any of your loved ones cannot reach family members or friends in Puerto Rico, or know they are in need of food, water, shelter, or medical supplies, please contact the following agencies:

1. The American Red Cross Safe and Well website is a free public reunification tool that allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to search for loved ones, or for individuals to indicate that they are safe. The site is always available, open to the public, and available in English and Spanish. There are a number of ways to use this service:

Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website.
Registrations can also be completed by texting SAFE to 78876. Messages exist in both Spanish and English.
To speak with someone at the American Red Cross concerning a missing friend or relative who has a serious, pre-existing health or mental health condition, please contact 1-800 Red Cross (1-800-733-2767).
The American Red Cross Emergency App features an “I’m Safe” button that allows users to post a message to their social accounts, letting friends and family know they are out of harm’s way. The app can be downloaded for free in app stores by searching for “American Red Cross” or by texting ‘GETEMERGENCY’ to 90999.

2. Anyone who finds a child who may be separated from parents or caregivers, please contact the local police and enter basic information and/or a photo into the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Unaccompanied Minors Registry. If you find an unaccompanied child, please indicate whether the child has a disability or has access and functional needs in the appropriate field in the Unaccompanied Minors Registry. If you do not have access to the internet, please call 1-866-908-9570.

3. FEMA is raising awareness that Hurricane Maria disaster survivors, and their friends and family, should be alert for false rumors, scams, identity theft, and fraud. FEMA has a dedicated website to address some of the most common themes. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Visit FEMA's Hurricane Rumor Control page to get the most accurate information from trusted sources.

FEMA information regarding Hurricane Maria is available in English and Spanish at:

Additional information for Puerto Rico is available at the following locations:

http://eldiamenospensado.pr.gov/ (Puerto Rico)
http://www2.pr.gov/Pages/Huracan.aspx (Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico’s Federal Affairs Administration:

By Email: maria1@prfaa.pr.gov

By Phone: (202) 800-3133

Officials in Puerto Rico have opened points of distribution (POD) for survivors to get meals, water, and other commodities. Commodity Points of Distribution are operating in the following locations, with more locations scheduled to open in coming days:

Puerto Rico

Aguadilla City Hall

Aibonito City Hall

Arecibo City Hall

Bayamón City Hall

Camuy City Hall

Canovanas City Hall

Ciales City Hall

Culebra City Hall

Mayaguez City Hall

Ponce City Hall

Rincon City Hall

Rio Grande City Hall

Santa Isabel City Hall

Utuado City Hall

Vega Alta City Hall

Vieques City Hall

For real time updates on Puerto Rico relief efforts: Please go to http://status.pr/

For people looking to donate or volunteer: To donate or volunteer, contact the voluntary or charitable organization of your choice through the National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters (NVOAD) at www.nvoad.org.

From Friday evening to Saturday evening, the Jewish community will join together again to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community.

As Jewish people around the world pray and repent on this sacred Day of Atonement, I hope they find the reprieve of acceptance and forgiveness, as well as the joys of fellowship and family.

May my Jewish friends around the world have any easy fast on this holy day, and may the day seal a promise for a year of health and happiness for all. G'mar Chatimah Tovah.

By Senator Marco Rubio

As Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday evening, my family and I want to wish L’Shanah Tovah to our Jewish friends in Florida and around the world.

As the Jewish New Year and the High Holidays arrive, I am proud to celebrate the many profound contributions that Jewish-Americans and Judeo-Christian values have made to our nation’s history, as well as the unbreakable bonds of alliance and friendship shared between the United States and Israel.

May the New Year bring with it peace, health, and happiness to all.

Tips for keeping you and your family safe:

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Rubio Response to the Miami Herald

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Happy Thanksgiving

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La recuperación de Puerto Rico

Oct 03 2017

Helping Puerto Ricans Recover from Hurricane Maria

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Yom Kippur 2017 Message

Sep 29 2017

Rosh Hashanah

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