Senator Collins Welcomes Maine's Star Athlete Kate Hall and Two Maine Children with Diabetes to Washington, Chairs Hearing to Examine How Diabetes Affects People of All Ages
 Maine’s own Kate Hall, a recent high school graduate who broke a 39-year-old national high school long jump record, and Isabelle Levesque, a 10-year old from Arundel, Maine, accepted Senator Collins’ invitation to testify on Wednesday before the Senate Aging Committee, which Senator Collins Chairs. The hearing, "Diabetes Research: Improving Lives on the Path to a Cure,” was held in conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) “Children’s Congress.” The Committee examined how diabetes affects people of all ages and how advancements in medicine and technology benefit those living with the serious and lifelong disease. More than 160 youth and adult participants from throughout the nation attended the hearing.
Both Kate Hall and Isabelle Levesque live with Type 1 diabetes and testified about their experience.
To watch the full hearing click here.
 From Maine Public Broadcasting Network
Maine High School Track Star Testifies on Diabetes to Congress
"Casco's Kate Hall, who set a new national high school long jump record earlier this year, told members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging about the challenges she faces to compete while keeping her blood glucose levels under control.
"'My dream is to one day represent the United States at the Olympics,' Hall said. 'This fall, I begin training at Iowa State, and although I will be far from home and training with a new team of coaches, one key part of my life remains unchanged: the challenge of managing my diabetes every single day.'"
"The Aging Committee is studying the problems caused by diabetes. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the committee and leader of the congressional diabetes caucus, praised Hall and told her she serves as an inspiration to all diabetics, particularly children, that are struggling to achieve their goals in life while keeping the disease under control."
Senator Collins and Members of JDRF's Children's Congress
AARP Endorses Senator Collins' Bill to Support Family Caregivers
 During remarks last week at the AARP Forum on Family Caregiving, Senator Collins, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, announced the introduction of the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act. This bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop and maintain a coordinated, national strategy to support the more than 43 million family caregivers in the United States. The legislation was introduced with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
This week, AARP announced its support for the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act. In an official statement, AARP Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy A. LeaMond said, “AARP appreciates the bipartisan leadership demonstrated by Senators Collins and Baldwin, and Representatives Harper and Castor. Caregiving is an issue that will affect almost everyone. Our country should recognize and support the contributions that roughly 40 million family caregivers make every day and we urge Congress to act on this bill this year.”
Working to End Homelessness with Actor, Activist Richard Gere
Senator Collins met with actor and activist Richard Gere in Washington on Wednesday to discuss their shared commitment to end homelessness.
As Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD) Subcommittee, Senator Collins has long led calls for further funding to fight homelessness and for stronger coordination between federal, state, and local governments. This year’s THUD appropriations bill provides $2.2 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants to combat homelessness.
Richard Gere stars as a homeless man estranged from his daughter in New York City in the new movie, “Time Out of Mind.” Mr. Gere has done charitable work over the last decade with the New York Coalition for the Homeless.
Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Policy Center Panel: Starting to Save, Innovations for Working America
To watch this clip click here or the play button above
Senator Collins joined a Bipartisan Policy Center panel titled, "Starting to Save, Innovations for Working America." The goal of this panel was to discuss initiatives designed to help many Americans achieve economic security. During the panel, Senator Collins discussed her three major priorities as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee: Improving retirement security; protecting seniors against financial exploitation and scams; and investing in biomedical research targeting diseases that disproportionately affect older Americans, such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Speaking on retirement security, Senator Collins stated that nearly "one in four retirees has no source of income beyond Social Security. Nearly six in ten Americans are worried they will be able to maintain their standard of living in retirement, and for good reason. There is an estimated $7.7 trillion gap between the savings American households need to maintain their standard of living and what they have actually saved."
Senator Collins Hails Passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, spoke from the Senate floor on the Senate-passage of the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
 In her remarks, Senator Collins underscored the importance of the Older Americans Act, which “funds critical services in communities across the country that help to keep older adults healthy and independent.” The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act would support “Maine’s network of five Area Agencies on Aging, which provide invaluable support and services to more than 100,000 seniors living in the state."
The bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate following an unanimous consent request by Senator Collins, would help relieve financial pressure on the Medicare and Medicaid programs and help seniors to stay healthy, independent and living in the comfort and security of their own homes. The bill also includes important provisions to strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and to protect vulnerable seniors from financial exploitation and abuse.
Celebrating the Reopening of a Washington County Iconic Restaurant
Senator Collins joined community leaders in Machias on Saturday to celebrate the sprit and entrepreneurship that led to the reopening of the famous Downeast landmark, Helen's Restaurant. One year ago, Helen's Restaurant was devastated by a fire. Since then, the community of Machias rallied to establish a GoFundMe account to aid displaced employees. Together more than, $55,000 was contributed by neighbors helping neighbors. At the ceremony Senator Collins applauded the reopening of the restaurant, stating, "Helen’s has long been famous for its pies. Now, it is also famous for the determined entrepreneurial and community spirit that we celebrate today. My congratulations to all on this great accomplishment."
Weekly Column
"The Path to a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes"
By: Senator Susan Collins
With its magnificent buildings, monuments, and memorials, Washington is a city of inspiring sights. Just as inspiring was the sea of blue t-shirts worn by the more than 160 young delegates to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s 2015 Children’s Congress who participated in a recent Aging Committee hearing I chaired on how diabetes affects people of all ages and their families, and the importance of research to prevent, treat, and eventually cure this difficult and life-long disease.
This was the eighth consecutive Children’s Congress that I have chaired. As the founder of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I have learned a lot about the difficulties and heartbreak that this disease causes for so many American families as they await a cure. Diabetes is a life-long condition that does not discriminate: it affects people of every age, race, and nationality. Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes and another 86 million have prediabetes. In addition to the human toll, diabetes costs the United States an estimated $245 billion a year – a cost that is projected to more than double by the year 2020. It also accounts for one out of three Medicare dollars. In fact, medical costs for Americans with diabetes are more than double those incurred by individuals without diabetes.
To read the rest of Senator Collins' weekly column click here.
Meeting with Mainers
Senator Collins always makes time to meet individually with constituents — either Mainers who are visiting Washington, D.C. or at home in Maine.
She values hearing from Mainers on a wide range of topics. Here are a few photos from recent meetings:
Top Left: Greg Nadeau, Nominee to be the next Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration
Top Right: Christopher, Bobbi-Jo, and Madison Thornton from Hancock, ME
Bottom Right: Michelle Porter and Kiersten Robinson from Mattanawcook Academy, Gabriella Donovan from Presque Isle High School
Bottom Left: Rick McKenney, incoming CEO of UNUM
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