January 4, 2021
Dear friend,

Happy New Year, and welcome back to another edition of Mario’s Message. Last night, I had the honor of being sworn into my 10th term serving the people of Florida. As the 117th Congress kicks off, I want to continue to ensure that my constituents are kept up to date on all things happening in Washington and Florida’s 25th Congressional District. It is my absolute honor to serve you, and I encourage you to get in touch with my office if we can ever be of assistance.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Executive Order 20-315, which outlines that providers can only administer the COVID-19 shot to the following groups:
  1. Long-term care facility residents and staff
  2. Healthcare workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients, including paramedics and EMS
  3. People age 65 and older

If you fall under any of these categories, you may contact:
 
 
Mount Sinai Medical Center
  • Mount Sinai Medical Center is providing vaccines to Miami-Dade County first responders and individuals who are 75 years or older.
  • Call 305-674-2312 to schedule an appointment, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The appointment line will be closed on New Year’s Day
  • No walk-ins will be accepted
  • For more information, visit the Mount Sinai Medical Center website

Jackson Health System
  • Beginning the week of January 4, Jackson Health System will launch an online platform for Miami-Dade County residents age 65 or older to request a vaccination appointment and receive a call back with the appointment date and time. 

Homebound Seniors in County Public Facilities
  • Miami-Dade County will provide vaccines directly to homebound seniors age 65 and older who live in County facilities or receive County services and wish to be vaccinated.
  • Miami-Dade County staff are directly contacting these individuals to schedule vaccinations beginning Monday, January 4.


January 5, 2021, 9:00am-1:00pm: Winn Dixie Mall, 1500 Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee, 34142.
  • Walk-Up.
  • Appointment made on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/134576272253
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+.
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff.
  • Face masks must be worn while waiting.
  • No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine.
  • Lightning, heavy rain or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site.
January 6, 2021, 9:00am-1:00pm: North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109.
  • Drive-Thru.
  • Appointment made on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/134576882077
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+.
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff.
  •  Face masks must be worn while waiting in vehicles.
  • No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine.
  • Lightning, heavy rain or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site.
January 7, 2021, HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL WITH DIRECT PATIENT CONTACT ONLY: Florida Department of Health in Collier County, 3339 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, 34112.
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact by appointment only. Call 239-252-6220.
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff.
  • Face masks must be worn while waiting.
  • No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine.
  • Lightning, heavy rain or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site.
January 8, 2021, 9:00am-1:00pm. North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109.
  • Drive-Thru.
  • Appointment made on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/134577361511
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+.
  • Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff.
  • Face masks must be worn while waiting.
  • No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine.
  • Lightning, heavy rain or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site.

The DOH-Collier call center will remain open Monday-Sunday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. The call center can be reached at (239) 252-6220.

For more information regarding COVID-19, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/.


If you are in need of an appointment to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine, please call LaBelle (863) 674-4041, press 00, Clewiston (863) 983-1408, press 00, Moore Haven (863) 946-0707, press 00. Vaccines are by appointment only.  

January 4, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30p.m to 4:00 p.m. Hendry County Health Department: 1140 Pratt Blvd. LaBelle, FL 33935 (click here for Hendry County Consent Form)

(863) 674-4041 Press 00 to make an appointment
January 5th – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30p.m to 4:00 p.m. Hendry County Health Department: 1100 S. Olympia, Clewiston, FL 33440 (click here for Hendry County Consent Form)

(863) 983-1408 Press 00 to make an appointment

January 6th – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30p.m to 4:00 p.m. Glades County Health Department: 1021 Healthpark Drive, Moore Haven, FL 34471 (click here for Glades County Consent Form)

(863) 946-0707 Press 00 to make an appointment
January 7th – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30p.m to 4:00 p.m. Hendry County Health Department: 1140 Pratt Blvd. LaBelle, FL 33935 (click here for Hendry County Consent Form)
(863) 674-4041 Press 00 to make an appointment

January 7th – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Glades County Health Department: 1021 Healthpark Drive, Moore Haven, FL 34471 (click here for Glades County Consent Form) 
(863) 946-0707 Press 00 to make an appointment
COVID Relief for All Americans
During the first round of COVID relief, U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents were excluded from receiving payment if married to a foreign national with no legal status in the U.S. In June, I introduced the Economic Impact Payment Fairness Act to address this discrepancy within the CARES Act because there is no reason to justify why a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident should be excluded from receiving a benefit meant for Americans simply due to the legal status of a spouse. I am thrilled to see that this provision was taken into consideration in this new COVID relief bill, and I look forward to seeing the great impact this will make in helping the American people.
FY2021 Funding for our Nation
The funding bill signed into law on December 27, 2020, includes big wins for our nation and for Florida. This bill prioritizes funding to enhance our infrastructure, support our military and law enforcement, and strengthen our national security. In addition, school safety remains a top priority, Everglades Restoration receives a significant influx of funding, and programs that our farmers and growers rely on will continue. It also supports critical housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Homeless Assistance Grants. Attached to this bill are several legislative priorities, including an end to surprise billing— patients will now know the real cost of a scheduled procedure before it takes place. Additionally, this bill includes the final version of WRDA 2020, thereby ensuring the Moore Haven Lock and Dam is renamed in honor of fallen FWC Officer Julian Keen, Jr.

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I was successful in including the following items in the 2021 appropriations omnibus.

Coronavirus Updates
Johns Hopkins reports that there are currently 20.7 million cases and 351,872 deaths in the United States.

Here’s a graphic showing the new cases per day in the U.S.:
Florida has a total of 1.4 million cases.
  • Collier County has 24,299 confirmed cases
  • Hendry County has 3,352 confirmed cases
  • Miami-Dade County has 321,757 confirmed cases
Stay Connected
To keep up with live updates, connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, or visit my website for any constituent services I am able to provide you with.

As always, it’s a pleasure to serve you.

Warm Regards,
Mario Diaz-Balart
Member of Congress