Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was November 25.

According to the World Health Organization, one in three women around the world experience violence in their lifetimes, across all class, race, country, and age groups, but less than 10 percent of abused women seek judicial or legal help.

That is why I recently cosigned a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Pompeo and USAID Administrator Green, urging their continued support for the citizen security program in Guatemala, which addresses crime and violence at the community level while working with Guatemala's Attorney General and judiciary to bring criminals to justice. The letter also called for the creation of similar programs in countries that have high levels of corruption and violence against girls and women.

It is crucial that nations work together to strengthen the rule of law and support institutional structures that protect women and girls from abuse and violence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave actions of Ryan Topper from Bremen.

Ryan is a student, a rising football star, and a lifesaver. Good instinct and determination tend to give people the opportunity to achieve, but for Ryan, these qualities also helped him change the course of his best friend's life.

One night, Ryan and friends were driving to a lake house for the evening. Ryan, driving ahead of his friends, realized their truck was

no longer behind him. He turned around to find that his friend's truck had skidded on ice and hit an embankment, crumpling the side of the truck and shattering the passenger window before coming to rest back in the middle of road. It was a miracle that only one person was seriously injured. Brock Meister would not have survived the next few moments without Ryan's bravery and quick thinking.

Ryan recognized immediately that he needed to keep his friend's neck in place until help arrived. As he held tight to Brock's head and neck, reassuring him and physically preventing him from moving, Ryan kept him calm by repeating the words, ``My boy, Brock,'' and called 911. Ryan didn't leave his friend's side that night, and it kept him alive. He then helped him navigate the long, difficult road to recovery, making the two-and-a-half-hour drive to and from Indianapolis to be with his friend in between football commitments. It is truly an honor to represent young Hoosiers like Ryan who put their own needs aside to help others, and whose strength and compassion stand as a guiding light in our community. Ryan's natural leadership and strong will are surely just the foundation for the amazing future that lies ahead of him. I have no doubt he will go on to do great things and will continue to positively impact the world around him. Hoosiers will, continue to look up to his ability to seize opportunity and lead with kindness for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, Ryan Topper epitomizes the selflessness and readiness to help that are so valued in northern Indiana. He shows us what it means to be a Hoosier, an American, and, above all, a true friend. On behalf of Indiana's 2nd District, it is my honor to recognize his valiant actions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. It includes my bill, named for Dr. Todd Graham, who was senselessly murdered last year over an opioid prescription.

With this legislation, we build on Dr. Graham's legacy of treating patients not only for their pain, but for their underlying causes. Today we are taking bipartisan action to expand access to nonopioid alternatives and give our communities better tools to prevent and treat addiction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hoosier artist and Congressional Art Competition judge Michael Beatty.

He has shared his passion for artistic and creative expression with many throughout his career. Michael's work has been showcased across northern Indiana, giving our community the gift of cultural enrichment and a chance to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

The breadth of his work, which spans various mediums, publications, and international honors, stands as a guiding light for others. Michael is a role model, a leader, and an expressive visionary who inspires us all.

Michael has always been active in our community, and for the past several years has helped celebrate the hard work and incredible talent of local high school students as a judge in Indiana's 2nd District Congressional Art Competition. His participation in our annual competition gives young artists encouragement and the opportunity to continue pursuing their dreams. I want to thank him for the time and dedication he has given to support the next generation of Hoosier artists.

I am truly grateful for his positive contributions in northern Indiana and across the country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Michael's compassion, drive, and creative spirit. It is a privilege to represent Hoosiers like Michael Beatty, who helps make our communities vibrant and our futures bright.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6561) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to finalize certain proposed provisions relating to the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6561, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6561, the Comprehensive Care for Seniors Act of 2018. This bipartisan legislation would require the Secretary of HHS to finalize updated regulations for the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, commonly known as PACE, while still giving the Secretary the flexibility to make updates and changes to the proposed regulation.

The PACE program is a proven model for delivering high-quality, comprehensive, community-based healthcare for seniors. It helps seniors whose health conditions would otherwise land them in a nursing home to remain in their homes for as long as possible by allowing them to see health professionals and social service providers at local PACE centers.

There are currently 123 PACE organizations in 31 States that serve over 45,000 Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, enabling them to live safely in the community through the fully integrated services and support provided. This allows beneficiaries to live longer, experience better health, and have fewer hospital visits. Seniors facing health challenges should have the option to receive high-quality healthcare while continuing to live at home, and programs like St. Joseph PACE in Mishawaka, in my district, allow them to do just that.

In 2016, CMS released a proposed rule to update the original guidelines from 2006. A bipartisan group of Members of Congress sent letters in November of 2017 and June of 2018 urging CMS to prioritize updating the existing regulatory framework, which is more than a decade old. The agency has, unfortunately, not taken any action.

This much-needed update would allow PACE programs to customize their interdisciplinary team around the needs of each enrollee, provide more services in the community, and give greater flexibility to partner with community providers.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Jenkins, Blumenauer, Chu, Kind, Bilirakis, Dingell, and Chris Smith, for their hard work getting this bill to this point and their previous work on this issue.

The PACE program is long overdue for an update. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation will ensure improvements are made quickly so more seniors can live in their communities longer.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleague to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Betty Hiple on her 101st birthday.

Betty Jane Hoke was born on September 6, 1917, in Huntington, Indiana, to Glen Foster Hoke and Ruth Mahoney. A Hoosier through and through, she has lived all of her life in northern Indiana. Three years after graduating from Huntington High School, she married Donald Duane Hiple on August 27, 1938. Over the next 13 years, they raised four children--Terry Lee, Merrily, Melody, and Richard Allen--and built a beautiful life together full of faith, love, and laughter.

Betty is steadfastly ambitious and has never stopped pursuing her dreams. After her children left home, she attended college for nursing and worked for Owens-Illinois until her retirement. More recently, she completed a tandem skydive at age 96 and a glider flight at age 97, and on the occasion of her 100th birthday, she served as the Grand Marshal of Swayzee Farm Days in 2017. From one adventure to the next, Betty has touched the hearts of so many people along the way. These days, she enjoys spending time in her flourishing garden and playing Scrabble with friends and family. I have no doubt her loved ones continue to learn from her endearing nature and high spirits.

Mr. Speaker, Betty Hiple embodies the virtues that we Hoosiers strive for in life, and she sets a strong example for us to follow. On behalf of 2nd District Hoosiers, I offer Betty a hearty congratulations on this incredible milestone, and I wish her many more years of continued health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Claude and Mary Renshaw of South Bend on their 50th wedding anniversary.

After marrying in 1968 and moving to northern Indiana in 1977, they built a beautiful life for their family full of love, laughter, and strong Hoosier values. Fifty years of marriage is a marvelous accomplishment that speaks volumes to the compassion and the tremendous foundation of respect and gratitude they share with one another.

Their lasting commitment not only to each other but also to their daughters and granddaughter is a shining example of devotion and

faithfulness in our Hoosier community. Having dedicated themselves to educational and cultural enrichment, they have touched the lives of countless people in our community. I am grateful for all they have done over the years to make South Bend a better place to live.

On behalf of 2nd District Hoosiers, it is my honor to celebrate Claude and Mary on their golden anniversary and to help them ring in this milestone. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Claude, Mary, and their entire family. It is my hope that their love continues to grow stronger with each passing year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Wyatt Mick, Jr.

Wyatt was a community leader who loved his country and dedicated himself to making Mishawaka a better place to live.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who wanted to give his family every opportunity to succeed. A man of faith and good character, Wyatt contributed in countless ways to the strength of our community.

As Mishawaka's City Attorney from 1964 to 1980, Wyatt fought alongside Mayor Margaret Prickett to ensure our city was on a bright path forward. Hoosiers will truly miss his familiar face around town, his high spirits, and his steadfast support of freedom and opportunity.

Wyatt is survived by his wife Elaine, their two children, and their nine grandchildren. I have no doubt his family will cherish their memories of the loving, hardworking husband, father, and grandfather who inspired them to be the best they can be.

Mr. Speaker, Wyatt Mick's incredible story and legacy of service will live on far into the future . I want to thank Elaine for all she has done to comfort her family and honor her husband's life . I wish to offer my deepest condolences to Wyatt's family, friends, and loved ones.

I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of this great Hoosier.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6311, the Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans and Expanding Health Savings Accounts Act.

This important bill contains a 2-year delay of the health insurance tax, or HIT. Like the medical device tax, which the House voted yesterday to repeal, the HIT is yet another damaging tax from ObamaCare. It raises premiums for families, for small businesses, for seniors, and for the disabled enrolled in Medicare Advantage. In fact, the HIT could raise annual premiums for the typical Medicare Advantage couple by $500 if it returns in 2020.

I am a proud original cosponsor, with Representatives Noem, Sinema, and Bera, of H.R. 5963, which delays the HIT for 2 years, and I am thrilled this bill we are voting for today includes it.

I look forward to the day when we can finally repeal this tax that falls on the backs of seniors, the disabled, small businesses, and hardworking families, but until then, I urge my colleagues to support delaying it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 184, the Protect Medical Innovation Act.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will permanently repeal the job-killing medical device tax. Hoosiers are proud to be leaders in medical innovation with more than 300 medical device manufacturers in our State that support nearly 55,000 jobs. These are high-paying jobs, with workers in the industry earning about $50,000 per year, on average.

However, after ObamaCare's medical device tax took effect, the industry lost almost 29,000 good-paying jobs nationwide from 2012 to 2015, according to Department of Commerce data. That is why Congress took bipartisan action in 2015 to suspend the tax for 2 years, and did so again earlier this year. But if it goes back into effect after 2019, it will impede new discoveries and stifle medical innovation while destroying good jobs.

Right now, our economy is booming because of historic tax cuts and regulatory reforms, and we need to keep that momentum going. It is time to end the medical device tax once and for all. Permanently repealing this job-killing tax will protect American workers and help patients access the lifesaving medical technology they need.

Mr. Speaker, the medical device tax would have a devastating impact on Hoosier workers and people from across the country who depend on these products. The Protect Medical Innovation Act will boost American innovation and manufacturing, and it will encourage medical research and development that make a real difference in people's lives.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nellie Hunter, a great Hoosier who is celebrating her l00th birthday.

Nellie was born on July 31, 1918, in Argos, Indiana. A lifelong resident of northern Indiana, Nellie exemplifies the strong Hoosier values we all cherish. She is compassionate, hardworking, and active in her community. Nellie has built a meaningful life for her family filled with strength, love, and generosity. Because of Nellie's longstanding dedication to her church, devotion to her family, and love of country, northern Indiana is a better place to live.

Nellie is a shining example of what it means to achieve the American Dream. She has a true passion for learning and for giving others the opportunity to grow and succeed. Having earned her GED at age 81 and received the Adult Student of the Year award from the State of Indiana, she is an incredible inspiration and a role model to us all. Her story reminds us to never give up on our dreams. It is an honor to help celebrate Nellie's positive contributions to the world.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Indiana's 2nd District I want to thank Nellie for the joy she brings to our lives and offer my congratulations and best wishes on this occasion. I wish her many more years of continued health and happiness.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Brady for all of his work.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. It includes my bill, the Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management, Treatment, and Recovery Act, that passed the House earlier this week.

H.R. 6 is also vital for equipping those on the front lines with important treatment and recovery initiatives. This includes people in my district like Erin LaCourt at Victory Clinical Services in South Bend. Victory provides comprehensive treatment for individuals with substance abuse disorders, but H.R. 6 will help them expand those services to include seniors.

This bill will also help Justin Phillips, who founded Overdose Lifeline, which is dedicated to helping those affected by addiction, assist even more Hoosiers on their road to recovery.

Solving the opioid epidemic requires every one of us to work together. I want to thank Erin, Justin, and all the other hardworking Hoosiers in my district who deserve recognition and to let them know we have noticed all their hard work.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6110) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the review and adjustment of payments under the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system to avoid financial incentives to use opioids instead of non-opioid alternative treatments, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6110, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6110, the Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management, Treatment, and Recovery Act.

Solving the opioid epidemic requires everyone to work together at all levels, from the Federal Government down to those on the front lines of this fight.

My legislation focuses on increasing access to pain management alternatives that do not involve opioids and improving recovery treatment options for those suffering from opioid use disorder.

Additionally, my legislation contains the following provisions that will also be vital in overcoming this crisis: H.R. 5778, the Promoting Outpatient Access to Non-Opioid Treatments Act introduced by Representative Kenny Marchant and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Sander Levin, which requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or HHS, to require payments made to hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers to ensure there are no financial incentives to use opioids over nonopioid alternatives; H.R. 5769, the Expanding Access to Treatment Act introduced by Representatives Keith Rothfus and Danny Davis, which provides payments to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to offset the cost of their providers receiving training so they are able to provide medication-assisted treatment that will help individuals recover from opioid use disorder; H.R. 5725, the Benefit Evaluation of Safe Treatment Act introduced by Health Subcommittee Chairman Peter Roskam and Representatives Linda Sanchez, John Shimkus, and Raul Ruiz, which directs the Secretary of HHS to evaluate the extent to which MA plans offer medication-assisted treatments and cover nonopioid alternative treatments not otherwise covered under a Medicare fee for service as part of a supplemental benefit; and H.R. 5790, the Medicare Nurse Hotline Act introduced by Representatives Kristi Noem and Judy Chu, which directs the Secretary of HHS to educate patients on the availability of psychologist services and explore the use of hotlines to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and Medicare.

The bill is named after my friend Dr. Todd Graham. He was a double board certified physician in both physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine who lived and worked in my district in northern Indiana.

Last year, he was senselessly murdered after refusing to prescribe an opioid to a patient.

Dr. Graham prided himself on serving his patients in a friendly and caring fashion. He treated each person individually, taking the time to offer specific steps to treat their issues.

One day last year, he had an interaction with a patient demanding opioids, a situation that has become disturbingly all too common. He stood firm in refusing to write a prescription for her, but her husband, who was also there, became increasingly angry throughout that visit. Two hours after they left his office, the husband returned and murdered him in cold blood.

Dr. Graham's loss has been a heavy blow, but his legacy of compassion and enthusiasm lives on through his wife, Julie; their two daughters; and their son, who plans to follow in his father's footsteps.

We are lucky to have the Graham family with us here today to witness the passage of this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, June 8, 2018.

Hon. Greg Walden,

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Walden: I write to you regarding several

opioid bills the Committee on Ways and Means ordered

favorably reported to address the opioid epidemic. The

following bills were also referred to the Committee on Energy

and Commerce.

I ask that the Committee on Energy and Commerce waive

formal consideration of the following bills so that they may

proceed expeditiously to the House Floor:

H.R. 5774, Combatting Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals

(COACH) Act;

H.R. 5775, Providing Reliable Options for Patients and

Educations Resources (PROPER) Act;

H.R. 5776, Medicare and Opioid Safe Treatment (MOST) Act;

H.R. 5773, Preventing Addition for Susceptible Seniors

(PASS) Act;

H.R. 5676, Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement

(SENIOR) Communities Protection Act; and

H.R. 5723, Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and

Payment Act.

I acknowledge that by waiving formal consideration of the

bills, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is in no way

waiving its jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in

those provisions of the bills that fall within your Rule X

jurisdiction. I would support your effort to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees on any House-Senate

conference involving this legislation.

I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional

Record during consideration of this legislation on the House

floor.

Sincerely,

Kevin Brady,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, having no other speakers, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this epidemic knows no boundaries. Opioid abuse continues to devastate families and communities all over this country. As we continue to work toward commonsense solutions to the opioid epidemic, this bipartisan legislation will help break down barriers to nonopioid treatments and give healthcare providers better tools to prevent addiction and to assist in recovery.

I want to thank Chairman Brady for all of his hard work, as well as my friend Ms. Judy Chu of California, who helped develop and introduce this bill.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5774) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop guidance on pain management and opioid use disorder prevention for hospitals receiving payment under part A of the Medicare program, provide for opioid quality measures development, and provide for a technical expert panel on reducing surgical setting opioid use and data collection on perioperative opioid use, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5744, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5774, the Combating Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals Act of 2018, or COACH Act. We have learned that, across the continuum of care, screening for opioid abuse disorder and education for patients and providers is necessary to help eradicate this epidemic.

This legislation includes efforts to develop quality measures related to the treatment of individuals with opioid use disorder, to improve and publicize guidance on opioid prescribing, and to develop expert recommendations on reducing the use of opioids in the surgical setting. These provisions, championed by Representatives Paulsen, Danny Davis, Higgins, Buchanan, Lamb, and Jason Smith, will help improve education for providers and patients to better ensure prevention and care of individuals with opioid use disorder.

The COACH Act also includes H.R. 5699, the Hospital Opioid Solutions Toolkit, which Representative Curbelo introduced with Congresswoman Kuster. The toolkit, to be made available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, will contain resources that hospitals can use to ensure the best practices are being utilized for educating patients and providers about treatment for pain management, including the development of a notification template for hospital staff to better inform patients prescribed opioids of potential risks.

I am thankful for all the hard work on this legislation by Members of both sides of the aisle, especially Representatives Curbelo, DelBene, Budd, and Kuster.

I would also like to thank Chairman Brady for his leadership, as well as the House Committee on Ways and Means' staff for their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5774, the Combating Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals Act of 2018. This is an issue that affects every congressional district. It is imperative that we find solutions that get people into treatment and prevent opioid abuse on the front end.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, June 8, 2018.

Hon. Greg Walden,

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Walden: I write to you regarding several

opioid bills the Committee on Ways and Means ordered

favorably reported to address the opioid epidemic. The

following bills were also referred to the Committee on Energy

and Commerce.

I ask that the Committee on Energy and Commerce waive

formal consideration of the following bills so that they may

proceed expeditiously to the House Floor:

H.R. 5774, Combatting Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals

(COACH) Act;

H.R. 5775, Providing Reliable Options for Patients and

Educations Resources (PROPER) Act;

H.R. 5776, Medicare and Opioid Safe Treatment (MOST) Act;

H.R. 5773, Preventing Addition for Susceptible Seniors

(PASS) Act;

H.R. 5676, Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement

(SENIOR) Communities Protection Act; and

H.R. 5723, Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and

Payment Act.

I acknowledge that by waiving formal consideration of the

bills, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is in no way

waiving its jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in

those provisions of the bills that fall within your Rule X

jurisdiction. I would support your effort to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees on any House-Senate

conference involving this legislation.

I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional

Record during consideration of this legislation on the House

floor.

Sincerely,

Kevin Brady,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to remind my colleagues why it is so important that we continue working to solve this crisis.

Thousands of lives have already been lost because of opioid-related drug overdoses. Tragically, Indiana has been hit especially hard by this crisis. This is a public health emergency, and our response must be comprehensive and swift.

I am proud of the COACH Act, bipartisan legislation that would help prevent opioid misuse and reduced dependence on opioids for pain management.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate local RV manufacturer, Jayco, and to join them in celebrating 50 years of success.

In 1968, Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager developed their first RV prototype on their family farm in northern Indiana and launched a family business that would last for generations. Half a century later, Jayco has grown to include

over 500 acres of manufacturing plants, more than 300 dealers around the world, and countless good jobs for hardworking Hoosiers in our community.

Northern Indiana leads the RV industry in the United States and, as a community, we are grateful to have this company to inspire future generations of manufacturers and to carry on that legacy.

It is an honor to represent Jayco, the Bontrager family, and the hardworking employees who have played such a vital role in northern Indiana's growing economy for decades.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Second District Hoosiers, I want to thank everyone at Jayco for an incredible 50 years, and I look forward to more amazing things to come.