Floor Statements

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Craig Thomas today in introducing the ``Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2003.''

This bill would expand Medicare coverage to Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. One result of this expanded coverage will be to increase seniors' access to mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Licensed Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapist are currently excluded from Medicare coverage even though they meet the same education, training, and examination requirements that clinical social workers do. The only difference is that clinical social workers have been covered under Medicare for over a decade.

Why do we need this legislation? The mental health needs of older Americans are not being met. Although the rate of suicide among older Americans is higher than for any other age group, less than three percent of older Americans report seeing mental health professionals for treatment. And going to their primary care physician is simply not enough. Research shows that most primary care providers receive inadequate mental health training, particularly in geriatrics.

Lack of access to mental health providers is one of the primary reasons why older Americans don't get the mental health treatment they need. Not surprisingly, this problem is exacerbated in rural and underserved areas.

Licensed Professional Counselors are often the only mental health specialists available in rural and underserved communities. This is true in my home state of Arkansas, where 91 percent of Arkansans reside in a mental health professional shortage area.

Since there are more Licensed Professional Counselors practicing in my state than any other mental health professional, this legislation will significantly increase the number of Medicare-eligible mental health providers in Arkansas. Licensed Professional Counselors are already serving patients who have private insurance or Medicaid. It is time for Medicare patients to also have access to these professionals.

The bill we are introducing today is an important first step in expanding access to good mental health. By including Licensed Professional Counselors and licensed Marriage and Family Therapists among the list of providers who deliver mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries, we will help ensure that all seniors, no matter where they live, have the opportunity to receive mental health treatment.

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Craig Thomas today in introducing the ``Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2003.''

This bill would expand Medicare coverage to Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. One result of this expanded coverage will be to increase seniors' access to mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Licensed Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapist are currently excluded from Medicare coverage even though they meet the same education, training, and examination requirements that clinical social workers do. The only difference is that clinical social workers have been covered under Medicare for over a decade.

Why do we need this legislation? The mental health needs of older Americans are not being met. Although the rate of suicide among older Americans is higher than for any other age group, less than three percent of older Americans report seeing mental health professionals for treatment. And going to their primary care physician is simply not enough. Research shows that most primary care providers receive inadequate mental health training, particularly in geriatrics.

Lack of access to mental health providers is one of the primary reasons why older Americans don't get the mental health treatment they need. Not surprisingly, this problem is exacerbated in rural and underserved areas.

Licensed Professional Counselors are often the only mental health specialists available in rural and underserved communities. This is true in my home state of Arkansas, where 91 percent of Arkansans reside in a mental health professional shortage area.

Since there are more Licensed Professional Counselors practicing in my state than any other mental health professional, this legislation will significantly increase the number of Medicare-eligible mental health providers in Arkansas. Licensed Professional Counselors are already serving patients who have private insurance or Medicaid. It is time for Medicare patients to also have access to these professionals.

The bill we are introducing today is an important first step in expanding access to good mental health. By including Licensed Professional Counselors and licensed Marriage and Family Therapists among the list of providers who deliver mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries, we will help ensure that all seniors, no matter where they live, have the opportunity to receive mental health treatment.

Mr. President, I strongly support the remarks of my friend from Virginia. The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides States with the resources critically needed for foresighted and cost effective wildlife conservation and restoration efforts. These funds will enable the States to probatively plan and implement their wildlife management strategies for game and non-game species in cooperation with landowners to their mutual benefit. I, too, would ask the managers of the bill to give serious consideration to significantly increase the funding for this critical program as it is considered in conference.

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce legislation that codifies the exclusion of irrevocable funeral trusts from Supplemental Security Income, SSI, resource calculations.

Irrevocable funeral trusts are funds set aside for funeral and burial expenses. These funds cannot be accessed until after the owner's death. Until recently, these trusts were not included in SSI resource calculations, but an administrative misinterpretation in 2001 dropped this important exclusion.

This misinterpretation has since been corrected, but it had serious repercussions for many senior citizens while it was in effect. When irrevocable funeral and burial trusts were included in SSI calculations, it penalized those SSI applicants who chose to save for their funeral by inflating their actual individual wealth, even though the trusts could not be accessed. The end result was that many senior citizens' SSI applications were rejected. Because the SSI definition of resources and exclusions is used for Medicaid eligibility determinations, the inclusion also affected Medicaid applicants.

I am introducing this bill to codify the exclusion to give senior citizens certainty that future administrations will not be able to misinterpret Congressional intent.

In the past, Congress has recognized the value of funeral planning as good social policy. We have encouraged consumers to engage in ``pre- need'' funeral planning in a number of ways.

This legislation will encourage people to engage in pre-need planning. It will codify the existing practice of excluding irrevocable funeral trusts from SSI calculations and ensure that future misinterpretations are avoided. We must ensure that people are not penalized for providing for their own funerals. I encourage my colleagues to give this legislation serious consideration.

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce legislation that codifies the exclusion of irrevocable funeral trusts from Supplemental Security Income, SSI, resource calculations.

Irrevocable funeral trusts are funds set aside for funeral and burial expenses. These funds cannot be accessed until after the owner's death. Until recently, these trusts were not included in SSI resource calculations, but an administrative misinterpretation in 2001 dropped this important exclusion.

This misinterpretation has since been corrected, but it had serious repercussions for many senior citizens while it was in effect. When irrevocable funeral and burial trusts were included in SSI calculations, it penalized those SSI applicants who chose to save for their funeral by inflating their actual individual wealth, even though the trusts could not be accessed. The end result was that many senior citizens' SSI applications were rejected. Because the SSI definition of resources and exclusions is used for Medicaid eligibility determinations, the inclusion also affected Medicaid applicants.

I am introducing this bill to codify the exclusion to give senior citizens certainty that future administrations will not be able to misinterpret Congressional intent.

In the past, Congress has recognized the value of funeral planning as good social policy. We have encouraged consumers to engage in ``pre- need'' funeral planning in a number of ways.

This legislation will encourage people to engage in pre-need planning. It will codify the existing practice of excluding irrevocable funeral trusts from SSI calculations and ensure that future misinterpretations are avoided. We must ensure that people are not penalized for providing for their own funerals. I encourage my colleagues to give this legislation serious consideration.

Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution which recognizes the many benefits provided to our Nation's youth by the First Tee Golf program. The First Tee, a youth character building organization, provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as honor, integrity and sportsmanship through golf.

Golf is a unique sport that teaches many of life's important lessons and promotes the best of character through fellowship and good sportsmanship. This resolution recognizes the contribution of the First Tee Golf program which, through the game of golf, provides many youths the lessons they will use to succeed as young men and women. By mitigating the high cost associated with this sport, the First Tee program gives young people an opportunity to reap the numerous benefits the game offers. Participants involved with First Tee learn to interact more effectively with others and to be a positive influence in their communities through curriculum specifically designed to teach interpersonal skills, self-management, goal-setting, and resistance skills. These are difficult life skills to teach, and I believe that the game of golf and the First Tee program is an ideal way to foster these values.

I am proud that such an honorable program is finally becoming a reality in my State of Arkansas, and I am pleased to introduce this resolution recognizing the First Tee.

Mr. President, I would need 5 minutes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I might proceed as in morning business for 5 minutes and that it not take anything out of the time of the Senator from New Hampshire.

Mr. President, I have some very important guests with me today in the Senate. I wanted to share that with my colleagues as well as my colleagues across the land.

I rise today to pay tribute to a young man who is with me today and who has served on my staff for the past year, Jason Smedley, of Little Rock, AK. We are joined today by his mother and his girlfriend and many members of my staff. Jason is a lance corporal in the 4th Civil Affairs Group of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed here in Washington, DC.

On Friday, Jason and his colleagues will depart for the Middle East where he will await orders for potential U.S. military action against Iraq. Like all of the men and women who serve in our armed forces to preserve our liberties and ensure global security, Jason is making a tremendous sacrifice in service to his country.

As a senior at Howard University, Jason is only a few months away from completing studies and earning his degree which he plans to earn upon his return. He will be leaving behind his 2-year old daughter Isis and his parents James and Carolyn Smedley, all of Little Rock, AK.

For the next few months, Jason is offering his service in a cause greater than himself. I know that all of my colleagues and the American people join me in honoring Jason and the tens of thousands of men and women who, just like him, face similar sacrifices in the coming weeks and months.

From Arkansas alone, as of last week nearly 700 Guardsmen and reservists have been activated in support of the war on terrorism and for potential action against Iraq. These include troops from Little Rock, North Little Rock, Lincoln, Ogden, Ozark, Siloam Springs, Van Buren, Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, and Fort Smith. I ask unanimous consent that the list of Arkansas units currently activated in support of the war on terrorism and potential action against Iraq be printed in the Record following my remarks.

We are proud of each and every one of these men and women for their commitment to this country and to each of us. We look forward to welcoming them back when their work overseas is done. My own father who passed away in October was a veteran of the Korean war. He taught me to always respect the great commitment made by our troops in fighting to protect our freedoms. Our troops of today's generation deserve the same respect.

During Jason's service to Arkansas as a member of my staff, I have appreciated his hard work, as well as his energy and positive attitude. I look forward to welcoming him back to my staff as soon as possible. I am sure all of my colleagues here will join me in wishing Lance Corporal Jason Smedley the best in the months ahead.

I thank his mother and girlfriend for being here to share that with us today. Most importantly, I ask my colleagues, as we enter into the challenging months we have before us in this great country, that we look not only within ourselves but around us to our immediate family, to our extended family, to our Senate family, and to all of those lives that are going to be, have been, and will be affected. This is a great country. The freedoms we enjoy, the incredible potential that we have is right here in people such as Jason Smedley.

I ask my colleagues to join me as we wish Jason well in his endeavors and as he goes to take on whatever his duties may be on behalf of the American people. I thank my colleague from New Hampshire for affording me the opportunity to salute someone who has meant an awful lot to me in my life and in my work and now to me, as an American citizen, and to the rest of this great country.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, especially, to Lance Corporal Jason Smedley. We bid you well.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Exhibit 1

The following units from Arkansas have been activated as of

December 31, 2002:

Army National Guard:

N. Little Rock, State Area Command, AR Army NG HQ;

Ft. Smith, 142nd Field Artillery HHB, 2nd Battalion;

Lincoln, 2-142nd Field Artillery, HHSB, Detachment 1;

Ogden, 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion Co. A,

Detachment 4;

Ogden, 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion Co. A,

Detachment 3;

Ozark, 142nd Field Artillery Battery C, 2nd Battalion;

Siloam Springs, 142nd Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion,

Battery B;

Van Buren, 142nd Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, Battery A;

West Memphis, 216th Military Police Company Guard Company;

Little Rock, 149th Medical Company Forward, Detachment 1;

and

Little Rock, State Area Command, AR Army National Guard HQ.

Army Reserve:

Fayetteville, 362nd Psychological Ops. Co. EF SPT ELE;

Fayetteville, 362nd Psychological Ops. OEF SPT ELE 2;

Little Rock, 431st Civil Affairs Battalion;

Little Rock, 460 Chemical Brigade, Detachment 1; and

Pine Bluff, 92nd Chemical Battalion, Detachment 1.

Air National Guard:

Little Rock, 189th Airlift Wing; and

Fort Smith, 189th Airlift Wing.

Navy Reserves:

Little Rock, Naval Suport Activity Bahrain, Detachment C.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Bonnie Nickol of Little Rock, Arkansas, who has committed herself to helping working families in Arkansas through the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

Bonnie's first involvement with the scholarship fund came in 1997. The fund's director, Ralph Nesson, knowing of Bonnie's interest in education, introduced her to several of the people who benefit from this statewide network of scholarship programs that help single parents get the education they need to better provide for their families. Bonnie was touched by the efforts

of these women and men to raise children, hold steady jobs, and attend college--and she resolved to help.

And help she did. Upon learning that the Pulaski County Single Parent Scholarship Fund was able to offer only about 10 scholarships per year, and that many deserving single parents were being turned away due to a lack of funds and resources. Bonnie joined the board of directors and committed herself to expanding the program. From 1998 until 2002, Bonnie chaired the fund's board of directors. Under her leadership, the fund began to grow dramatically. In 1998, the fund awarded 16 scholarships worth a total of $8,000. By 2002, the fund was awarding 98 scholarships worth more than $63,000. That's an increase of 600 percent in just four years. On top of that, the amount of each scholarship awarded increased by $150, meaning that every recipient is now enjoying a more generous benefit than ever before. The Single Parent Scholarship Fund has also raised its profile by pursuing corporate and foundation grants and through private fund-raising events.

In addition to increasing the fund's size, Bonnie has spearheaded the effort to provide enhanced support services to scholarship recipients. Among these services are volunteer mentors and loaned computers to help ensure student success. In addition, Bonnie made a point of forging personal relationships with many of the scholarship recipients, meeting with each of them once per semester to encourage them and seek feedback; coordinating the selection process to ensure that scholarships are awarded in a fair, timely, and efficient manner; and continually working to improve service available to recipients.

These efforts are paying real dividends for the fund in terms of success. Since January 1998, an astonishing 94 percent of scholarship recipients have either graduated or are still in school working toward their degrees. Fifty-eight parents have graduated since 1998. That's a tremendous record of success, for which Bonnie and all of the other volunteers with the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund can be justifiable proud.

Bonnie Nickol will retire from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund this year, and while her leadership will be sorely missed, others who share Bonnie's vision and commitment will most certainly follow. In the meantime, she continues to provide her valuable leadership and volunteer energy for a number of groups in Arkansas, including New Futures for Youth, the Jewish Federation of Arkansas, and the Artspace Artists Cooperative. But of all her contributions, her most impressive may be the work that she's done with the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, work that has made it possible for dozens of single parents in Arkansas to get their degrees and improve their job prospects for the future. I salute Bonnie's efforts, and I hope that others will look to her as an example of how one person can lend their time, talents, and energy to make a difference in his or her community and in the lives of others.