Covid Vaccine Is FREE; Help for Veterans

Because of federal funding I voted for, the Covid-19 vaccine is FREE to patients. If you get a bill for it, you should report it to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at this link or by calling toll-free: 1-877-881-6388.

Several neighborhood vaccine clinics are typically held each week in Philadelphia. To find a site near you: visit vaccines.gov, text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) or VACUNA (822862), or click here for the city health department's list of upcoming events.

Veterans concerned about Afghanistan events: Help is available

The Department of Veterans Affairs shared this information as veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan:

It's important for veterans to know: You are not alone. Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It's normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. You can visit this VA page for a list of common reactions and coping advice (scroll down the page once it opens).

One resource that's available right now is the Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.

For many more resources for veterans, pleasevisit this VA website.

Evening & weekend phone hours: To serve you better, my Philadelphia office has expanded our telephone hours for constituents who have difficulty calling during normal work hours. If you need help with a federal issue, you can reach the office by phone (215-276-0340) on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also email the office by clicking here or fill out a federal privacy form for help with your case (if needed) by clicking here.

Staying informed: To keep up with information and services between these updates, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – including updates on my Facebook and Instagram Stories. If you received this newsletter as a forward, click here to start receiving it straight to your own inbox.