Running for a Cause – Senator Collins Greets Moninda Marube in Washington as He Runs from Maine to California to Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking
On July 1st, Moninda Marube set off from his adopted hometown of Auburn, Maine for a 3,700-mile run across the United States to raise awareness about human trafficking. Unfortunately, this is something Moninda knows all too much about. After leaving his homeland in Kenya in 2010 to escape poverty and violence, Moninda was tricked by a dishonest athletic agent into a life of near-slavery and poverty. Moninda’s stop in Washington, D.C. this week with Senator Collins represents one of many he will make as he continues on his long journey to California sharing his story. During this week’s event Moninda told CNN, “Traffickers have the sweetest tongue you will ever meet. They promise you heaven, show you chocolates, show you everything of the sweet things. But when it comes to delivery, they deliver hell.” Senator Collins, who is a strong voice against human trafficking and a cosponsor of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act — which was signed into law in May — commended Moninda’s heroism and called for more to be done to end this crime. Moninda is expected to finish the 3,700-mile journey to California in November. Click here to read Senator Collins' weekly column, "Running for a Cause."
Senator Collins Participates in Hearing Investigating VA Whistleblower Claims of Poor Patient Care
2012 Signing Ceremony for the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
In conjunction with National Whistleblower Day, Senator Collins participated in a Senate hearing to explore the protection of whistleblowers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) against retaliation and the ways to tackle corruption. In July, the Acting Inspector General for the VA stepped down amid criticism over the handling of recent abuses, and the Administration has not yet named a replacement. During the hearing this week, Senator Collins called on the Administration to fill the vacancy so that the VA can effectively address the challenges  facing the department as well as ensure that VA employees who speak out are protected. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been under intense scrutiny since last year when whistleblowers revealed cases involving unreasonably long wait times for appointments, in some cases allegedly resulting in patient deaths, lack of prompt payments for hospitals, and opiate abuse.While serving as Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Collins focused significant attention on strengthening whistleblower protection. In 2012, Senator Collins authored the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act—which President Obama signed into law—that recognizes the crucial role whistleblowers play in helping to expose mismanagement and threats to public health and safety.
“The Time to Invest in Alzheimer’s Research is Now”
Senator Collins Speaks at The Atlantic's "Alzheimer's: The Cost of Caring" Forum
It is estimated that Alzheimer’s Disease costs the United States more than $226 billion a year, including $153 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Last week, Senator Collins was a featured speaker at Atlantic Magazine’s forum, “Alzheimer’s: The Cost of Caring,” which brought together leaders to discuss the challenges posed by this devastating disease. Senator Collins also wrote an op-ed featured in the Portland Press Herald this morning describing her work to support families caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and other illnesses that require long term care.
During the forum, Senator Collins discussed her work as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee to raise awareness and support research to combat Alzheimer’s. Fighting Alzheimer’s disease is among Senator Collins’ highest legislative priorities. Following the forum, Forbes Contributor Richard Harris penned a column:
From Forbes
 “You’ve been hearing the warnings for years and they’re dire. Without an effective treatment or cure, Alzheimer’s will become so pervasive it will overwhelm the health care system and wreak havoc on the economy. Left unchecked, the footprint of the disease will only expand as the boomers age. We have the imagery down pat. Just search the words ‘Alzheimer’s’ and ‘tsunami’ and nearly 3,000 news articles appear, describing how Alzheimer’s will wash over the aging population like a tidal wave. What we don’t ave is anything close to the necessary funding to address the looming crisis. And based on the latest projections, we’d better act fast. At this week’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Washington, D.C., a report put it bluntly: more than 28 million boomers will develop Alzheimer’s by mid-century and the cost of caring for them will eat up a quarter of all Medicare spending in 2040. During the conference, The Atlantic was holding a forum a few blocks away to address what to do about it. ‘Alzheimer’s is our nation’s costliest disease, about $226 billion,’ warned Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and co-chair of the Alzheimer’s task force. ‘It’s going to bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid if we do not invest in the research.’ Collins used that word again: ‘If you look at the tsunami of cases we are going to be facing, we can’t afford not to make this investment.’”
To read the full article click here.
Celebrating 50 Years of Medicare and Medicaid
Val Halamandaris, President of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice; Denise Schrader, Chairman of the NAHC Board; Senator Collins; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Max Richtman, former Staff Director, Special Committee on Aging
On Thursday, Senator Collins, Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, joined the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations in recognizing the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. During her remarks Senator Collins said, "Medicare and Medicaid make invaluable contributions to lives of some 111 million older Americans, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. Prior to Medicare, more than half of all Americans over age 65 were uninsured and nearly a third lived in poverty."
Senator Collins Chairs Committee Hearing to Examine Problem of Sexual Assault on College Campuses
In 2013, Senator Collins was an original cosponsor of legislation that updated the Violence Against Women Act, and  included additional support for prevention and training to address sexual assaults on college campuses. As a former employee of Husson University in Bangor, Senator Collins was asked by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), to lead a hearing this week examining the legislative effort to decrease instances of sexual assault on college campuses and to provide justice for survivors and perpetrators.
In her opening remarks, Senator Collins referenced a recent discussion with interns from her Washington D.C. office regarding the incidence of sexual assault on their college campuses. The interns, who are all from Maine and who attend six different colleges and universities, provided Senator Collins with insightful recommendations on what can be done to halt this crime and meet the needs of survivors. To read the full press release click here.
Senator Collins Leads Senate Effort to Combat Boko Haram
More than one year since the horrific kidnapping of the 276 school girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram, Senator Collins continues to be a leader in the Senator in the fight against the terror organization. This week, Senator Collins’ bipartisan legislation to bolster efforts against the terrorist  organization was unanimously approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Boko Haram continues to commit terrible acts of brutal violence against civilians in Nigeria as well as in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, and Boko Haram recently pledged allegiance to ISIS. According to the Congressional Research Service, Boko Haram may have killed, in total, more than 11,000 people, with more than 5,500 people killed in 2014 alone. Senator Collins’ bill would require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to combat the terrorist group focused on building institutional capacity, humanitarian support, and rule of law programs. The measure also would require the Administration to identify the resources necessary to implement the strategy. The bill currently has fifteen cosponsors.
To read the full press release click here.
Maine’s Girls Nation Delegates Visit Senator Collins
Senator Collins welcomed students Elise Dumont of Newcastle and Salma Mohamed of Auburn to Washington this week. Elise and Salma were selected from the 240 delegates who attended the Dirigo Girls State Program held last month at Husson University as participants in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation Program. Since 1947, the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation has convened for a week in Washington to learn the qualities of leadership and good governance.
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: Maine Participants in U.S. Junior National Basketball Tournament
Left: Madden Family, Greenbush
Top Right: Green Family, Etna
Bottom Right: Brooke Jandreau, Fort Kent
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