Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, yesterday Virginia District Court Judge Henry Hudson's decision striking down one provision of the Affordable Care Act has generated a lot of noise in the last 24 hours.

Opponents of health care reform are celebrating as if the whole law was struck down, even though Judge Hudson refused the Commonwealth of Virginia's request to strike down the entire law and Judge Hudson refused the Commonwealth of Virginia's request to stop implementation of the health care bill which has been proceeding since last March.

Thank goodness the judge had enough common sense not to stop the health care bill's important protections for families and patients that have been implemented since last March, such as age 26 dependent coverage which employers all across America have been implementing since last July, giving families the opportunity to keep children covered on their family's health insurance plan up to age 26; such as protections like the elimination of insurance company rescissions of coverage, the practice of denying claims after the fact, many times after patients have had surgery or have had treatment; such as the $250 payments, which seniors who fell into the part D doughnut hole received in 2010; such as the 50 percent discount for brand-name medications, which seniors in the doughnut hole will start to receive starting on January 1; such as the new Medicare coverage for annual checkups, cancer screenings, smoking cessation, vaccinations for flu, which the new health care bill will provide starting on January 1; such as the early retiree reinsurance program, which employers all across the country, private employers as well as public employers, are using to stabilize age 55 and up retirement health benefits, including 96 plans just in the Commonwealth of Virginia alone.

For all the crowing and boasting by opponents of health care reform, there was less there than meets the eye. But there is no doubt that the judge did strike down an important part of the bill, namely, the shared responsibility provision, the requirement that nearly all Americans carry health insurance, a provision which two other district court judges, one in Virginia and one in Michigan, upheld as a proper exercise of Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce.

Judge Hudson ruled that this provision doesn't ``fit within the letter or spirit of the Constitution.'' Well, Madam Speaker, there is a long, long history of Supreme Court cases which have held exactly the opposite of what Judge Hudson wrote.

Indeed, Antonin Scalia, the leader of conservative forces on the U.S. Supreme Court, himself, wrote that Congress has the authority to enact a regulation of interstate commerce, and it possesses every power needed to make that regulation effective.

Using Justice Scalia's interpretation of the commerce clause, it is clear that this bill's provision to eliminate preexisting condition exclusion, the practice by insurance companies for denying coverage for people with cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic conditions, which require a pooling mechanism which the shared responsibility requirement was designed to accomplish, clearly fits within Justice Scalia's definition of the commerce clause. In fact, we know this from real-life experience.

Seven States tried to enact a guaranteed issuance law requiring insurance companies to insure all people regardless of preexisting conditions, and what happened was that rates went through the roof. Only one State was able to implement a prohibition on preexisting condition exclusions, that was the State of Massachusetts, which was coupled with a shared responsibility mechanism. And, as a result, insurance premiums fell in the individual market by 42 percent.

The impact on interstate commerce in terms of what is happening in the health insurance market could not be clearer. In fact, the trade organization representing America's health insurance industry back in 2008, after the election, made it clear that a shared responsibility mandate requirement is essential to actually executing and performing real reform in the insurance market. Allowing people to enter the market and exit the market when they get sick and when they get better is like insuring a burning building. And the fact of the matter is that the judge's decision, despite the fact that conservative judges like Antonin Scalia have recognized Congress' ability to regulate interstate commerce, which the health insurance industry clearly falls under, would allow for the Congress to set up the real mechanism to make sure that its goal of eliminating preexisting conditions can actually take place. And the health insurance industry knows over the last 5 years the collapse that has been occurring within the marketplace because of rising premiums.

I come from the State of Connecticut. We have Aetna, we have CIGNA, we have United Health Care. These are the largest plans in the country that are selling to employers, and they have seen the percentage of their coverage across America decline, not since the passage of the health care bill, but going back to 2005. And this measure is designed, in fact, really just to stabilize that private health insurance market.

Madam Speaker, in a few short weeks, new Members of Congress are going to be sworn into office. They are going to be given a PIN that gets them into the building, they are going to be given a voting card, and they are also going to be given an opportunity to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefit plan, a purchasing exchange which Members of Congress can participate in, get a nice comprehensive package of benefits, taxpayer subsidies, affordable rates. And on page 29 of this booklet, it makes it very clear that preexisting conditions will not be imposed against them.

The people of this country deserve the same type of coverage. And it is my hope, as the appellate courts review that decision yesterday, that they will uphold the Affordable Care Act's provision to stabilize the private health insurance market.

[Press Release, Nov. 19, 2008]

Health Plans Propose Guaranteed Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

and Individual Coverage Mandate

Washington, DC.--Health plans today proposed guaranteed

coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions in

conjunction with an enforceable individual coverage mandate.

Under the new proposal, health plans participating in the

individual health insurance market would be required to offer

coverage to all applicants as part of a universal

participation plan in which all individuals were required to

maintain health insurance.

Health plans also said that premium support for moderate-

income individuals and broad spreading of risk was necessary

to promote affordability and maintain premium stability in

the individual health insurance market.

To ensure that all Americans can access coverage, health

plans also reiterated their long-standing support for making

eligible for Medicaid every uninsured American living in

poverty and strengthening the Children's Health Insurance

Program.

``No one should fall through the cracks of our health care

system,'' said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America's

Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). ``Universal coverage is within

reach and can be achieved by building on the current

system.''

The announcement follows a nationwide listening tour

conducted by AHIP as part of its Campaign for an American

Solution. Concerns about coverage for pre-existing

conditions, continuity of coverage for those between jobs and

maintaining affordability for those with insurance were

raised repeatedly across the country.

``AHIP's Board of Directors is responding to the concerns

of the American people by offering a workable solution to

ensure that no one is left out of the health care system

because of their health, age, income or employment status,''

said Ignagni.

The new proposal builds on the series of comprehensive

reform plans that AHIP's Board of Directors began releasing

in November 2006. Further reform proposals addressing the

affordability, accessibility and quality of health care are

anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Summary of AHIP's Proposal to Guarantee Coverage for Pre-existing

Conditions and Promote Affordability in the Individual Insurance

Market:

Guarantee-issue coverage with no pre-existing condition

exclusions;

Establish an individual coverage requirement with an

insurance coverage verification system, an automatic

enrollment process and effective enforcement of the

requirement that all individuals purchase and maintain

coverage;

Promote affordability by: providing refundable, advanceable

tax credits for moderate-income individuals and working

families; and promoting tax equity whether coverage is

obtained through an employer or the individual market; and

Ensure premium stability for those with existing coverage

through a broadly funded reimbursement mechanism that spreads

costs for the highest-risk individuals.

Background on the Individual Market and Guarantee Issue

AHIP's survey of the individual market shows that

individually purchased health insurance is far more

affordable and accessible than is widely known. The survey

found that 9 out of 10 applicants undergoing medical

underwriting were offered coverage. The plans commonly

purchased by consumers provided substantial financial

protection and a wide range of benefits, including coverage

for behavioral health, prescription drugs and preventive

services.

Some individuals are unable to purchase individual health

insurance coverage in the private market because of their

health status. One approach taken by states to address this

issue has been the enactment of guarantee issue legislation

requiring health plans to offer coverage to all applicants.

These well-intentioned reforms have often resulted in severe

unintended consequences, including significantly higher costs

for all policyholders.

A report by Milliman, Inc. found that enactment of

guarantee issue laws in the absence of requirement that

individuals purchase coverage may incentivize people to defer

seeking coverage until they have health problems--a situation

which unfairly penalizes those who are currently insured.

According to the report, states that implemented these laws

saw a rise in insurance premiums, a reduction of individual

insurance enrollment and no significant decrease in the

number of uninsured. To learn more about the individual

market survey and the Milliman report, please visit

www.ahip.org.

I want to thank Mr. Pomeroy for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, here is the reality today of rising prices for America's seniors and retired veterans.

From October 2009 to October 2010, the following commodities, which consume the lion's share of a senior's household budget, saw significant increases: home heating fuel went up 13 percent, gas prices 3.8 percent, prescription drug prices 3.9 percent, medical care 3.6 percent.

Despite these relentless increases, the Labor Department's CPI formula spit out a 0 percent COLA because the cost of items which the formula counts, like flat screen TVs, personal computers, and recreation activities, went down. For seniors and veterans who are dependent on Social Security and VA pensions, the latest flat screen televisions and personal computers are not high on their shopping lists.

Congress needs to intervene for the benefit of seniors and retired veterans by passing this measure, which will provide emergency help with the real-world budgets of elderly Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Connecticut State Grange on their 125th anniversary.

The National Grange, also known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with local chapter established in 2,700 local communities in 40 states. The Connecticut Grange has been one of the most active, continuously operating since 1885. In Connecticut the Grange has been an integral part of our state's efforts to preserve farmland, support rural communities and maintain the idyllic charm that is such an important part of New England's past.

The Grange has always welcomed farming families to involve themselves in the betterment of rural life and to contribute to its welfare by talent, thought, strength and willingness to labor heartily with fellow Patrons for the general good of the order and of mankind. The Grange's focus on community service, family activities and agricultural causes reflects well on the countless farmers who strive to preserve America's pastoral traditions. In eastern Connecticut, the Grange has a long and storied past supporting communities, maintaining our rural heritage and promoting the agricultural ideals that serve as the backbone of our country.

Not only is the Grange the oldest and one of the strongest farm organizations in America, it is the only farmers' fraternity in the world. The precepts of this farm-family fraternity are fourfold: (1) We should work toward a more prosperous agriculture; (2) Improve practical education; (3) Super-size community life and citizenship; and (4) Build higher ideals of manhood and womanhood among ourselves. With a strong faith in God, a nurturing hope, a focus on charity, and faithfulness to duty, the Granger continues to make rural life more desirable.

Members of the Grange have adopted the following creed; ``United by the strong and faithful tie of agriculture, we mutually resolve to labor for the good of our order, our country and mankind.'' Madam Speaker, I believe those are words we can all live by, and so I ask my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut, in recognizing the Connecticut State Grange on their 125th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan placed a call to the principal of the Charles Barnum Elementary School in Groton, Connecticut, to congratulate the school's 100 percent math score and 92 percent reading score in the Connecticut Mastery tests.

The school's success was notable for two reasons: First, because Barnum is a good old-fashioned public school that raised its test scores to almost perfection the right way--through teamwork by administration, teachers, staff, students, and parents--and second, because it's a school adjacent to the Groton Navy sub base with over 90 percent of its student body children of active duty Navy. These are families which face tremendous challenges with parents away at sea for months at a time incommunicado with their kids. Despite that environment, the Barnum community has made sure that its kids are achieving the highest level of proficiency in reading and math.

Congratulations to Principal Valerie Nelson and everyone at Barnum, and thank you for giving the country an example of educational success which we in Congress should carefully examine as the time approaches to reform America's schools.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor CAPT Vincent Wilczynski. I want to commend Captain Wilczynski for his long and distinguished career as he retires as the Chief of the Mechanical Engineering Section of the Coast Guard Academy.

Captain Wilczynski has served as a visionary leader at the United States Coast Guard Academy. He received the national Professor of the Year award in 2001 and has worked extensively at FIRST Robotics, a non- profit organization that motivates young people to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering. Before assuming his current position at Yale, Captain Wilczynski cultivated and led the Mechanical Engineering Section as a Faculty Member and Chief of the Mechanical Engineering Section. He was also Head of the Engineering Department.

A 1983 USCGA graduate, Captain Wilczynski earned a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate from Catholic University. Captain Wilczynski's many accolades include the 2003 American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME, Distinguished Service Award, the 2005 ASME Edwin C. Church Medal for national contributions in engineering outreach and he was awarded a prestigious American Council on Education Fellowship in 2006.

Captain Wilczynski's outreach and leadership have been invaluable to the USCGA, to Yale and to the Connecticut community as a whole. His unstinting dedication and innovative teaching have touched the lives of many Americans and his dedication will be remembered for years to come. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut, in thanking Captain Vincent Wilczynski for educating a generation of engineers and acting as an example to so many.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor The Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. I want to recognize their impressive 100th anniversary and celebrate this extraordinary milestone.

For the past century, the Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to cultivate the economy of eastern Connecticut. Through their efforts, community and business leaders have come together to strengthen eastern Connecticut's local economy.

It is a privilege to congratulate the Chamber on reaching this historic achievement. Their impact has been felt throughout eastern Connecticut and countless of small businesses have thrived because of the vision and the leadership the Chamber has provided.

Through innovative thinking, the Chamber's 1600 members have fostered a business climate that meets the current and future needs of eastern Connecticut. As the Chamber's members continue to work to grow our economy, it is important to remember that they have served as the voice of Connecticut businesses for 100 years.

During these challenging times, it is easy to lose hope. We need to replace lost jobs and we need to reinvigorate Connecticut's economy. If any of us are ever tempted to lose faith in our ability to persevere, we need only look to the shining example the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce has provided. The Chamber has provided unwavering leadership in its determination and advocacy for Connecticut businesses. They have led the way toward economic growth for the past hundred years, and I know they will continue to do so for the coming century.

The Chamber's ingenuity and innovation has served as the backbone of our region, and I ask all of my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut, in recognizing the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce on their 100th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brigadier General Kenneth W. North, who passed away on September 21, 2010. Kenneth North fought for his country and survived seven years in a Vietnamese POW camp, and I am honored to stand in tribute to him.

General North was born in 1930 in Rockville, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1953. In 1974, he completed studies at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. In Vietnam, North served as a fighter pilot and flew 33 combat missions before being downed by enemy fire on August 1, 1966.

Kenneth North repeatedly faced down his tormenters during his seven years at the Hanoi Hilton. North was often beaten and tortured; he endured guards jacking his bound arms behind his back until the shoulder joints split. He suffered through these torturous sessions and defied his captors through bouts of solitary confinement.

North, the son of a Vernon mill worker, was released with 100 other POWs in August 1973 and was the first man off the plane on March 7 when he reunited with his family.

General North's military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device and two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster and several unit citations.

North was buried in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. During the ceremony, Air Force fighter jets streaked over Pleasant Hill Cemetery in a final salute. I now ask my colleagues to rise with me so that we too may honor Brigadier General Kenneth North, a true American hero.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to mark the passing of a skilled educator, energetic community leader, and dear friend. Henry M. Kelsey of Old Saybrook died this past Saturday after a five month battle with cancer. He leaves behind a loving family, countless friends and students, and a void in the community that will be difficult to fill.

Hank was born and raised in eastern Connecticut and lived there his entire life. He treasured his small town upbringing and told stories of exploring the streams and traveling the back roads around Clinton, where he grew up. I can tell you that Hank carried this curiosity and youthful optimism with him everywhere he went. How fortunate we are that his greatest and longest adventure was a 37 year teaching career-- one where his energy could educate and empower young people. He was a demanding teacher who both inspired and entertained his students in the classroom.

Hank insisted on lending a hand to the bigger picture of education policy and became very active in education issues at the local, state, and federal levels. He held multiple degrees in the subject of education and worked to empower teachers at Gilead Hill and Hebron Elementary schools. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education named Hebron Elementary School a recipient of its coveted Blue Ribbon Award for high performance and student achievement. Hank would be so proud of this recognition which validated his many years of work and dedication.

Hank was also a tremendous advocate for civic engagement. After moving to Bolton, he chaired the town's Democratic Town Committee as well as its Fire Commission. Between his work in education and his involvement in the community, he was a guy that really walked the walk. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Lucia, his mother Doris, and his brother, Paul. Hank was married for many years to his first wife Rusty, also a teacher and activist who succumbed to cancer after a long, valiant battle. I too will miss Hank and am grateful for the opportunity to have known this remarkable person. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and honoring the life of Henry M. Kelsey.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor Sergeant Steven J. DeLuzio, of Glastonbury, Connecticut. Steven was killed on August 22, 2010 when insurgents attacked his unit in Paktika, Afghanistan. I had the honor of attending the funeral service for Steven in which hundreds of friends, relatives and others took time to honor his life, his service, and his sacrifice.

For those who knew Steven, they talk of a man who was passionate about life, about service and about sports. Steven played four years of varsity ice hockey and was an avid Yankees fan in part just because his father loved the Red Sox. Our thoughts are with Steven's father Mark and his mother Diane. My heart goes out to his brother Scott, his fiance Leeza Gutt, and the scores of friends and family members who had the privilege of knowing Steven DeLuzio.

Steven graduated from Glastonbury High School in 2003 and joined the Vermont National Guard after being motivated by the attacks of September 11th. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. After returning home, Steven was again deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010.

Sergeant Steven DeLuzio led a life that serves as an example to all. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut, in honoring Sergeant Steven J. DeLuzio for his sacrifice. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the DeLuzio family in their time of need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a very special occasion for the First Baptist Church of Waterford. Next month the Church will be celebrating its tricentennial--300 years in Connecticut and a rich history that predates our nation.

In 1710, the First Baptist Church of Waterford was founded by members who withdrew from the First Baptist Church of Groton to create a new church on the western side of the Thames River. They built a meeting house on Pepperbox Hill, which they shared with another congregation. Some services in these early years were held at the homes of the church's members. The third and current sanctuary, the Jordan Meetinghouse, was built on Rope Ferry Road in 1848. Today, the First Baptist Church of Waterford is the second oldest Baptist church in the State of Connecticut.

It shares a spectacular history with the town--having even served as the seat of its government. It was once a recruiting station for the Civil War. More than anything else, however, the church's 300 hundred years are defined by its deep involvement and generous contributions to the community around it. Today, the church serves people in the Waterford area by providing assistance from food to medicine to heating oil.

The First Baptist Church of Waterford is an historic and treasured institution that has persevered, survived attacks by English forces during the Revolutionary War, given our nation statesman, soldiers and helped those in need. Three hundred years is a truly remarkable achievement. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the First Baptist Church of Waterford on this milestone and wishing the church well for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lyman Memorial High School students Rachel Mackewicz, Kelly Pestey, Erin White and Emily Von Edwins. I want to offer my congratulations to these students who placed second at the Eastern Regional FFA Dairy Products Contest on September 18, 2010.

These students, along with their faculty advisor Mrs. Brenda Wildes, honorably represented themselves, their family and their community at the Eastern Regional FFA Dairy Products contest. By finishing in second place, the team not only placed higher than any previous Lebanon FFA team, but also qualified to compete for the national title at the National FFA Convention.

Since it was founded in 1928, The Future Farmers of America has promoted agricultural education for millions of students across the country. FFA's commitment to bringing students, teachers and agribusiness together helps to ensure that each generation of our nation's leaders comes equipped with the agricultural understanding necessary to lead our country. Last summer, I was fortunate enough to meet with some of these impressive young leaders at the Connecticut state FFA convention and saw firsthand the important impact the FFA has on middle and high school students across the country.

It is important to highlight the important role the FFA and this team of students in maintaining our rural heritage and promoting the agricultural ideals that serve as the backbone of our country. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut in recognizing the Lebanon Regional Future Farmers of America Chapter for their achievement and wishing them good luck at the national competition.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American. Warren Edward Diffendall of Deep River, Connecticut passed away earlier this year and will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery this week. As a soldier and active citizen, Warren gave much of his life to our great nation.

Warren was a veteran of World War II--a Tech Sergeant in the Eighth Air Force, 489th Bomber Group, in England. He was a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator that flew 2 historic missions on D-day. With such an honorable record in the armed services under his belt, Warren went on to serve his country for a long time after the war.

He spent many years doing good work to protect the environment and its inhabitants as a special agent for the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and for the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service. Having worked extensively with these organizations in Connecticut, I can tell you from firsthand experience how crucial people like Warren are to protecting the livelihoods of Connecticut's fisherman and the safety of our land and waterways. In addition, he became a passionate grower of fruits, vegetables, and flowers after settling in Deep River.

When we honor men and women like Warren Diffendall who served their nation during wartime and peacetime, we are reminded of why these individuals are referred to as our ``greatest generation.'' I stand here today to honor the memory of Warren Diffendall for his service and sacrifice. Anyone who devoted their life to protecting our nation and ensuring its prosperity for future generations, in the manner that Warren did, is worthy of our eternal gratitude. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and honoring the life of Warren Diffendall.

Madam Speaker, It is with a heavy heart that I rise to mark the passing of a great ally and advocate for working families in Connecticut. Brian Petronella, President of The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 371 in Westport, died suddenly on Friday. He leaves behind a remarkable record of public service and long list of victories on behalf of workers and their families.

Brian was a skilled labor leader who never forgot his beginnings as a member of 371. He believed in decent wages, benefits, safety, and respect for his brothers and sisters and cared deeply about their rights. In his role at Local 371 and in his own life, Brian put these values into practice each day. He held leadership roles on the local and international levels of UFCW and had many successful organizing campaigns under his belt.

In addition to Brian's professional role and successes, he was a vibrant member of the community--one that worked tirelessly to help those around him. He generously raised money for and gave his time to the Leukemia Society, the Women's Network, and after school programs in the area.

Most important to him though was his family. His father was also a nationally recognized leader at UFCW, and Brian's success was a source of great pride in the Petronella family. Brian's wife Elaine and daughters Lindsey and Ashley were the number one priority in his world and his passing as a husband and father is the hardest loss of all.

I had the pleasure and honor to know Brian for over ten years. He was smart, funny, and down to earth. His success did not go to his head--if anything it made him more committed to working for the people he represented so ably.

Brian left us too early. He leaves behind a life of work that should be the envy of anyone seeking to better our society. He was a consummate professional, loving family man, and friend that I was lucky to have. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and honoring the life of Brian Petronella.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor three incredible athletes from eastern Connecticut. Lonnie Braxton III of New London, Stuart English of Madison, and Christopher Duncan of Groton all competed in the 2010 Special Olympics National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska earlier this month. These three tennis players, along with every other member of Connecticut's team, made our State proud by bringing tough competition to their opponents and exemplifying sportsmanship.

I want to congratulate Lonnie in particular for winning the gold medal in the singles competition. He went undefeated in the division and gave an incredible performance over the course of the games. Lonnie's victory is the product of hard work and a great deal of training in Connecticut. All of this training happened as Lonnie continued with his classes and work at Puffins restaurant in Groton. I have had the pleasure of eating at Puffins and Lonnie is very hard- working and pleasant for all the customers. What a great role model for us all.

Stuart and Christopher also took home medals playing tennis for Connecticut--winning bronze and silver in singles, respectively. The Connecticut tennis team gave an excellent performance and I am particularly proud of the strong eastern Connecticut contingent on that team.

Having attended ceremonies and events of Special Olympics Connecticut, I am familiar with the good work they do. These competitions are, above anything else, about the athletes who participate in them. We should be grateful for the unique opportunity they provide and the overwhelmingly positive impact that the competitions have on the lives of the athletes. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lonnie, Stuart, Christopher, and every member of the Connecticut tennis team for their hard work and victory at the National Special Olympics.

Madam Speaker, today on the eve of Medicare's 45th anniversary, I rise to recognize the tireless work and fierce vigilance of an organization that has prioritized the care needs of Medicare beneficiaries, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, as well as bring to light a coverage issue that the agency has been worked on for years: lengthy hospital observation stays.

Earlier this summer, I had discussions with leaders of the Center for Medicare Advocacy about lengthy hospital observation stays which has inhibited care for Medicare beneficiaries. Excessive time on hospital observation status has been shown to create two potential problems for Medicare beneficiaries. First, prescription drugs administered in the hospital during an observation stay are not included in the inpatient deductible cap, which can easily become unaffordable for patients and their families if the medications are not included in the beneficiary's Part D formulary. Secondly, time spent on observation status in a hospital is not counted towards the three-day inpatient hospital stay required for the beneficiary to receive skilled nursing care. Both potential consequences create financial and care burdens for Medicare beneficiaries.

Earlier in the month, I met with the Renshaw family from my district that had been negatively affected by a lengthy hospital observation status. After falling and breaking his hip, Mr. Renshaw, an elderly Medicare beneficiary, was taken to a local hospital treatment where he was subsequently put on observation status. He remained in the hospital for four days. After he was released, Mr. Renshaw required skilled nursing care for his rehabilitation. However, because Mr. Renshaw was placed on observation status instead of admitted officially as an inpatient, his time in the hospital did not count towards the Medicare three-day hospital stay required for skilled nursing care. His family was forced to write a check for nearly $10,000 in order to get him the care that he needed because Medicare would not cover this benefit.

In response to the Center for Medicare Advocacy's vigilance on this issue and the experiences shared with me by the Renshaw family, I am introducing the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act. My legislation will fix this unfair component of Medicare law that arbitrarily differentiates between patients on inpatient versus observation status with obtaining necessary skilled care. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act will count a beneficiary's time on observation towards the three-day hospital stay requirement for skilled nursing care. And while my legislation does not address the challenges associated with unaffordable out-of-pocket prescription drug and other costs associated with lengthy hospital observation stays, I look forward to working with the Center for Medicare Advocacy on finding a long-term solution to this urgent problem.