U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, voted to pass a continuing resolution to provide a 3.1 percent pay raise for our armed forces, and extend funding for Community Health Centers whose funding was set to expire on Nov. 21, 2019. The House-passed continuing resolution funds the government through Dec. 20, 2019, and was passed in response to the Senate’s delays in passing a timely appropriations package.
Slotkin toured and held a roundtable at a Community Health Center at Eastern High School in Lansing this month as part of her “Costs of Care” tour. The school-based health center offers students on-site medical care and plays an important role in strengthening access to preventive care in the community.
“Although I think Congress’s reliance on short-term, stop-gap measures isn’t a responsible way to address government spending, there are two important parts of the bill that will have a real impact on our community,” Slotkin said. “First, the bill gives our service members a 3.1 percent pay raise. As an Army wife and step-mom to a brand new Army officer, I know what a difference a pay raise like that will mean to our military families, and I was proud to vote to put more money in the pockets of individuals and families who risk everything in service to our country.
“Secondly, this continuing resolution extends funding for Community Health Centers just like the school-based health clinic at Lansing Eastern High School that I visited this month as part of our ‘Costs of Care’ tour,” Slotkin continued. “This funding was set to run out, and was a specific concern raised with me at the visit. I saw firsthand how important Community Health Center services are to deliver affordable healthcare to folks in our community, and I’m happy that if we have to accept a short-term bill, it at least secures the funding they and so many other Community Health Centers in our district need.”
