Skip to main content

Announcing the Beginning of Open Enrollment for the Healthcare.gov Marketplace

October 30, 2015
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This weekend marks the beginning of the open enrollment period for the HealthCare.gov marketplace. For more information, please see below. This week, I also voted for the budget deal to avert a fiscal crisis, voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, met with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in Memphis, and honored former Tennessee Senator and U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker at the Japanese Embassy. Keep reading to learn more or follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.

Announcing the Beginning of the Open Enrollment Period for the Healthcare.gov Marketplace
Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
Avoiding a Fiscal Crisis
Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank
Honoring Former Senator and U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker
Hosting My 7th Annual Veterans Day Luncheon
Increasing Government Transparency
Electing a New Speaker of the House
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ed Stanton III
Congratulating Mo Bridges
Recognizing Pastor Myron Donald and First Lady Angela Donald
2015 Humane Society Scorecard
Bringing Congress to your Corner
2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available

Announcing the Beginning of the Open Enrollment Period for the Healthcare.gov Marketplace

The HealthCare.gov insurance marketplace opens for 2016 plan shopping and comparisons on Sunday, November 1, 2015. While the current shopping period runs until January 31, 2016, December 15, 2015 is the deadline to enroll in coverage that will take effect on January 1, 2016. You can visit https://bit.ly/hcSavings to see if you qualify for tax credits that will be applied as discounts on your monthly insurance premium. If you already have insurance coverage through the HealthCare.gov marketplace, your plan will be automatically renewed for 2016 but you should still visit HealthCare.gov to update your information, ensure you receive the full tax credit to which you are entitled, and review new options as cheaper insurance plans that better fit your needs may now be available.

If you are on Medicare or your employer offers qualified health insurance in which you are enrolled, you're already covered and won't need to enter the Marketplace for your health coverage. If you aren't sure whether or not you should use the Marketplace to get insurance, call the Marketplace Hotline at (800) 318-2596, visit HealthCare.gov, or call the healthcare navigator Seedco at (901) 255-2955. You can also call my office at (901) 544-4131 or the Marketplace Hotline to find out if TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) is a coverage option for you.

Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Image removed.

This morning, I accompanied United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on his visit to the Douglass K-8 Optional School to meet with students, teachers, administrators, and other educational leaders in Memphis to discuss Tennessee’s achievement as one of the fastest growing states in the National Assessment of Educational Progress in mathematics and reading. We also visited Southwest Tennessee Community College to discuss a U.S. Department of Education experimental program to provide Federal Pell Grant funds to high school students taking college courses for credit. I appreciate Secretary Duncan using Pell Grants for more need based college credits. I would like to thank him for coming to Memphis and visiting the National Civil Rights Museum.

Avoiding a Fiscal Crisis

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan budget package that represents significant progress to ensure economic security for hard-working American families and small businesses. While I do not agree with everything in the bill, the budget will alleviate some of the crippling effects of sequestration by restoring $40 billion over two years for vitally important programs like food stamps, supplemental nutritional assistance for women, infants, and children, and medical research at the National Institutes of Health that could lead to cures for debilitating and fatal diseases. I am also pleased the deal fixes an imminent 52% spike in Medicare Part B premiums for Medicare beneficiaries and also fixes a 20% cut to Social Security disability benefits for 2016. I have been fighting for fixes to both of these in Congress. I was proud to vote for a bipartisan budget package that provides the stability that the business community and the American people need and deserve.

Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The American manufacturers, small businesses and workers who rely on the Export-Import Bank are the backbone of our economy. Reauthorization of the Export-Import bank is critical for America’s business community to create jobs and compete and trade in the global marketplace. Since 2007, the bank has supported over $100 million in export sales from Memphis businesses, including nearly $17 million last year alone. I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans finally came together in a bipartisan fashion, and I was proud to vote to reauthorize the charter to strengthen our economy and create jobs. I commend Congressman Stephen Fincher for going against the great majority of his caucus and taking the lead on this issue.

Honoring Former Senator and U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker

Image removed.

On Wednesday night, Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae invited me to give remarks at a reception at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence honoring the late Senator from Tennessee and United States Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker and celebrating the commencement of the Howard Baker Memorial Lecture Series. In the Senate, Howard Baker earned the nickname “The Great Conciliator” for his leadership and civility. As U.S. Ambassador, he was essential to building bilateral cooperation with Japan after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Japanese investment is 50% of Tennessee foreign investment and accounts for 40,000 jobs across the state. Under Ambassador Baker, Tennessee continued to enjoy the rich history it has shared with Japanese businesses since the 1970s. I was honored to take part of the ceremony celebrating one of Tennessee’s greatest minds.

Hosting My 7th Annual Veterans Day Luncheon

Each year, I host an annual luncheon for Memphis veterans to update them on legislative issues that impact them and thank them for their dedication and the sacrifice they made in service to our country. Our veterans are among the bravest and hardest working men and women in our nation, and we cannot say “thank you” often enough to them and their families.

I invite veterans to join some special guests and me at my 7th annual Veterans Day BBQ Luncheon on Wednesday, November 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BRIDGES located at 477 N. 5th Street in Memphis. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by November 6th to my Memphis office at 901.544.4131. I hope to see you there.

Increasing Government Transparency

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee approved my bill, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, to increase transparency and give the public access to information about federal payments awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), which allows individuals who sue the federal government to seek attorney’s fees. Access to this information will help enable ordinary citizens such as veterans, seniors, small business owners, and advocates for clean air and clean water to fight unfair or illegal government action without fear of court costs.

Electing a New Speaker of the House

On Thursday, the House of Representatives elected Paul Ryan (R-WI) as the 54th Speaker of the House. I hope he’ll work with Democrats to help strengthen the middle class, keep our economy strong, and move our country forward. I would also like to thank John Boehner for his service to our country.

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ed Stanton III

Image removed.

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved life-long Memphian Ed Stanton III for United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. The committee’s approval clears the way for a final vote on his nomination by the full Senate. In private practice, as Senior Counsel at FedEx, and as U.S. Attorney, Ed Stanton has proven himself an outstanding lawyer. I was proud to recommend Ed Stanton to President Obama, pleased the President nominated him for this position, and am encouraged by the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of his nomination. U.S. Attorney Stanton is well-respected by his peers and will continue to serve our country and the people of Memphis in an exemplary fashion.

Congratulating Mo Bridges

Image removed.

Earlier today, I called Memphian Mo Bridges who, this week, TIME Magazine named as one of the 30 Most Influential Teens in the World for his bow tie business, “Mo’s Bows.” Way to go, Mo!

Recognizing Pastor Myron Donald and First Lady Angela Donald

Image removed.

On Sunday, I presented a Congressional Proclamation for Pastor Myron Donald and First Lady Angela Donald honoring their 12th pastoral anniversary of the Greater Lewis Street Baptist Church. Pastor Myron and his wife have guided their congregation through unprecedented growth. They oversaw a complete remodeling of the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary and held a Mortgage Burning Celebration when the loans to purchase the church property were paid off. Congratulations to Pastor Myron and his wife for their success.

2015 Humane Society Scorecard

Image removed.

This week, I received a 100+ from the Humane Society on their 2015 Humane Scorecard, the highest score of any member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation. I am a lifelong supporter of animal rights and welfare issues. The treatment of animals has long been characterized as a direct reflection on how we as people treat ourselves and each other. I appreciate this recognition by the Humane Society for my work to promote animal protection legislation.

Bringing Congress to your Corner

Image removed.

On Friday, November 6th, from 10am to 1pm, my office will hold “Congress on your Corner” office hours at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library. This will be my sixth “Congress on Your Corner” since June at the Hooks Library. If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance. We hope you can make it.

2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available

My office currently has a limited number of 2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other citizens of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Image removed.
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictBudgetEducationHealth CareJudiciaryMemphisMillingtonShelby CountyTennesseeVeterans' Affairs