Dan Benishek

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce that the circle drive of the Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan, will be named after local son and Iraq War veteran, Sergeant 1st Class James Priestap. Sergeant Priestap graduated from North Dickinson High School in 1985 before attending Ferris State University and Northern Michigan University and joining the U.S. Navy as a rescue swimmer. Sergeant Priestap also served as a police officer at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, where I worked as a physician. While bravely defending his Nation in Iraq, Sergeant Priestap was killed in action on Thanksgiving Day 2006. The entire Dickinson community came together to memorialize Sergeant Priestap at the VA facility where he guarded our veterans, and I am honored today to have helped him fight for this distinction over the past 2 years. This memorial represents a small but important gesture of gratitude, not only for Sergeant Priestap's sacrifice but for his lifelong pursuit of selfless service to others. I'm very pleased that all visitors to the world-class VA hospital in Iron Mountain will soon be able to remember a true hero from northern Michigan who laid down his life so that others could live in freedom.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the life of R.D. ``Dan'' Musser, owner of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, who passed on at the age of 80 on April 13, 2013. Born in Circleville, Ohio in 1932, Mr. Musser graduated from Dartmouth College and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning in 1951, Mr. Musser went to work at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, which was owned by his family. In order not to show favoritism, his uncle W. Stewart Woodfill, who was the hotel's owner, had Mr. Musser work twice the number of hours other employees did while learning about the operations of the hotel. Mr. Musser became the manager of the hotel in 1960, when he doubled the number of rooms in the establishment and extended the hours of the hotel during the summer season. Mr. and Mrs. Musser purchased the hotel from W. Stewart Woodfill in 1979. During the Musser's ownership of the hotel, Mr. Musser worked to run the large hotel with an impeccable attention to detail and a level of personal service found in much smaller establishments. Mr. Musser often wrote over 50 handwritten notes to employees of the Grand Hotel a day regarding items needing attention. During his tenure as owner, the Grand Hotel became a National Historical Landmark in 1989. In addition to his work at the Grand Hotel, Mr. Musser served as Chairman of the Michigan Travel Commission, Chairman of the Mackinac Island Public Works Commission, and was remembered as a civic pillar. When not working to improve the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island, Mr. and Mrs. Musser also enjoyed raising show dogs, his Scottish terrier, Sadie earned the prestigious ``Best in Show'' at the 2010 American Kennel Club Dog Show. Survived by his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren, Musser's great legacy includes building the Grand Hotel into what it is today and working to share Northern Michigan hospitality and beautiful summers with all citizens. On behalf of all residents of the First Congressional District of Michigan, I wish to express my condolences to the Musser family and salute R.D. Musser's contribution to our state and country.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, while we are right to focus this week on passing a budget that puts our country back on a responsible economic path, I rise today to remind my colleagues that it has been over 6 months since four Americans, including our ambassador, were killed by terrorists in Benghazi, Libya. In 6 months, what have we learned? We still don't know why U.S. military assets in the region were not ready, alert and in a position to respond. We still don't know why injured survivors of the attack have been pressured not to come forward with their stories. Frankly, we still don't know what specifically is being done to ensure that decisions about the security of our diplomatic missions are given the highest priority. I stand with Congressman Frank Wolf and 58 of our colleagues in supporting an effort to establish a select committee to investigate and report on the Benghazi attack. Only by aggressive congressional oversight will we ensure that our pitiful response to this attack will never be repeated. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in demanding the administration provide the straight answers that Americans deserve.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Great Lakes Exploration Group on the occasion of the work they do to discover and preserve the maritime history of the State of Michigan and the Great Lakes. The group has not only worked to identify and save historic artifacts, but do so in a way that preserves the cultural heritage of the Great Lakes. In particular, I wish to commend the Great Lakes Exploration Group on discovering the possible location of Le Griffon, a ship that went missing in 1697. If Le Griffon is found, not only will a centuries-long mystery be solved, but, more importantly, the Great Lakes Group will add to the historical treasure trove of our Nation's earliest days of settlement. Through community-based, non-invasive underwater archaeology and research that leaves the bottomlands intact, the Great Lakes Exploration Group was formed to be a worldwide leader in identifying, protecting, and preserving rare pieces of North American history found in Michigan's waters. I wish the Great Lakes Exploration Group all the best in locating and preserving the wreck of Le Griffon and learning what secrets it may hold.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, like all of my colleagues, I come before you today very concerned about my fellow Americans whose lives were torn apart in October of 2012 due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy, like many natural disasters before it, has caused billions of dollars of damage and has upended the lives of thousands of Americans. Congress gathers here today to consider a very important question: Exactly what is the role of the Federal Government in rebuilding our communities following a natural disaster? Like many of my colleagues, I believe the Federal Government must be a strong partner in responding to natural disasters, but local communities must lead the way in making the important decisions. Only local communities have the firsthand knowledge to prioritize how precious resources should be spent following a natural disaster. While the Federal Government can and should be a partner, it must be just that--a partner. Madam Chair, the Federal Government currently plans ahead and budgets for natural disasters. We have an entire agency, FEMA, dedicated to managing these disasters. Perhaps Congress should have a more comprehensive discussion on how to better budget and prepare for natural disasters, but we can't use one hurricane as an excuse to fund or enhance programs that would normally go through the regular appropriations process. Local communities and property owners impacted by Hurricane Sandy face tough choices. They must prioritize and decide what projects will be rebuilt and in which order. One of the provisions in the underlying Frelinghuysen amendment provides for an additional $50 million in grants from the Historic Preservation Fund for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Sandy. Currently, these types of grants typically require a non-Federal match. The Frelinghuysen amendment strikes the non-Federal match requirement for the Sandy funds. Madam Chair, my amendment would not reduce any of the supplemental funding provided for in the underlying amendment. Again, the amendment does not reduce the supplemental funding. My amendment simply restores the provision that the non-Federal match be applied, as normally required by the National Park Service. In actual practice, this would make the funds more widely available for a larger number of citizens. My amendment is about good government and good investments. It simply ensures that local communities have ``skin in the game'' and truly support the grants that they apply for. If a local community is truly supportive of rebuilding a project, they will band together and find a match, whether it be a local municipality, State government, or private nonprofit. I understand that those opposed to the amendment will say that the impacted property owners require emergency funding. They will argue that in order to obtain the funds, stakeholders should be released of the obligations of a non-Federal match, as many are struggling to get by. To this, I'd like to remind you that our government is still borrowing over 40 cents for every dollar it spends. Just as families must prioritize their budgets, the Federal Government must learn to make adjustments. Federal grants should not be about having fancy consultants or great grant writers. These type of programs should come down to one thing: local support for a project. The ability to provide a non-Federal match ensures community support for those projects. We should no longer waive requirements that ensure local communities will support their efforts. This is about good government and ensuring fiscal responsibility now and in the future. It is my hope that you will join me in supporting this amendment to ensure that this good guiding principle of good government is continued. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENISHEK. I just want to use the balance of my time to say $50 million is able to be spent in a larger area, with more impact, if the spending is done with priorities determined by local contributions, and that it's not going to be the best grant writer or the person with the most connections but it's going to be the communities that come together with their local support that is going to determine how this money is being spent. And I think that's just a better way of prioritizing the increase in spending for the historic preservation fund in this method. I think we've seen in previous disasters where Federal money has been just wasted. And I think that having community input and community donations to this would ensure that the money will go as far as it can and be put to the most effective use determined by local input. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Thanks to the gentleman from Texas. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support my legislation, H.R. 3378, a bill to name the post office building in Munising, Michigan, after the late Mrs. Elizabeth Kinnunen. Mrs. Kinnunen's story is like that of many people's from northern Michigan and all across this Nation. It's a story of an immigrant who came to this country in the hopes of a better life and left America a better place. Mrs. Kinnunen came to our country from Finland in 1903. She married Oscar Kinnunen in 1909. They had 11 children, and like parents do all across this country, they worked hard all of their lives to ensure that their children would have a shot at the American Dream. Mr. and Mrs. Kinnunen operated a boarding house in Marquette, Michigan. They provided warm beds to many timber and mining workers in Marquette County. Eventually, they moved to Munising, Michigan, where Oscar worked for the paper company and Elizabeth worked as a local cook. Mrs. Kinnunen was a faithful member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Munising. Mrs. Kinnunen's life was marked by tragedy. Two of her sons, Eiso and Raymond, were both killed in war while defending the freedoms we cherish so much. Eiso was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge in 1945, and Raymond lost his life in the Korean War in 1952. We will never know the devastating grief their family must have suffered after such an enormous loss. We will also never be able to fathom the somber dignity Mrs. Kinnunen must have felt--in the words of President Lincoln--to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Mrs. Elizabeth Kinnunen died on April 5, 1974, at the age of 81. She is not famous. Her name does not grace history books; but Mrs. Kinnunen's life--the hard work she did, the family she raised, the terrible sacrifices she endured--is a small but important part of this long story that we call the United States. It is the countless lives like hers that has made this country the greatest Nation in the world. Naming this post office in her honor is a thoughtful and lasting way for the community of Munising to celebrate her life and accomplishments. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for Congress to enact comprehensive tax reform and to reduce Federal spending in order to create jobs and boost the economy. Our Nation is facing significant challenges--a weak economy, record deficits, and a Federal Government we can't afford. Many northern Michigan citizens fear for the future of our Republic. The American people deserve solutions to these problems, and comprehensive tax reform is a key part of these solutions. President Obama has made it clear that his preference is to raise taxes on families and businesses, but that plan won't fix our national debt. It won't improve the economy. Instead, Congress should focus on tax reform and real significant spending reductions. The American people have chosen divided government, and with that comes a responsibility for us to work together and fix the problems our Nation faces. So I urge my colleagues and the President to work together to resolve this fiscal crisis and to do what's best for the American people.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, while today we commemorate Chairman Hall becoming the oldest Member to vote in the House of Representatives, we truly honor him, not for his age, but for the leadership, dedication, and commitment he has displayed since he was first elected to Congress in 1980. When I was first elected to the House two years ago, Chairman Hall asked me to join the Science Committee to bring my experience as a practicing surgeon to the Committee. In this way, Chairman Hall has recognized the experience and backgrounds of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, newcomers and seasoned politicians alike. Although Chairman Hall has made many friends here in Washington, what I admire most about him is his genuine commitment to the residents of the 4th district of Texas. As he often says he'd rather be respected at home than liked in Washington. With his gentle disposition and strong leadership, I believe he has found a way to do both. On behalf of the 1st District of Michigan, and my colleagues on the Science Committee, Chairman Hall I thank you for your service to our country and for your leadership on the Committee, and I commend you on this momentous occasion. I look forward to serving with you for many years to come.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the First District of Michigan, I wish to recognize September as World Alzheimer's Month, and specifically today, September 21, 2012, as Alzheimer's Action Day. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that destroys brain cells causing problems with memory, judgment, and behavior. Alzheimer's is a serious disease, and is not a normal part of aging. In fact, while most Alzheimer's patients are over age 65, for as many as 5% of its victims, the disease first appeared in their 40s or 50s. In the United States, an estimated 5.4 million people are living with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the US, and it is the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. It has been projected that as many as 16 million Americans may have Alzheimer's by the year 2050. As a doctor who has treated patients for nearly 30 years in Northern Michigan, I understand the devastating impact Alzheimer's disease can have on patients and their caregivers. In addition to the physical toll Alzheimer's takes on patients, the disease also takes a heavy toll on families serving as caregivers through very difficult times. More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care to a loved one with Alzheimer's. I am reminded of the words which former President Ronald Reagan shared in announcing his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease 18 years ago: ``Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden.'' Very poignantly, Nancy Reagan referred to Alzheimer's as ``the long goodbye.'' In sharing his diagnosis, President Reagan also hoped to promote greater awareness of the disease. Although awareness of Alzheimer's has grown, we need to continue educating others about the disease. While there is still no cure or prevention for Alzheimer's, with early detection one can get the maximum benefit from available treatments that may provide some relief and help maintain independence longer. I encourage everyone to know the early warning signs and how they differ from typical age-related changes. For example, suffering from memory loss that disrupts daily life may be an early sign of Alzheimer's, but occasionally forgetting names or appointments, then remembering them later, is normal as we age. Today, on Alzheimer's Action Day, I stand with the residents of Northern Michigan who are fighting ``the long goodbye.'' I also wish to acknowledge and honor their dedicated caregivers. Thank you for the courage and perseverance you display every day.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe that September 21, 2012, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and remember those who have suffered in captivity in foreign lands, and the many who have never returned home from combat. This day affords us an opportunity to pay tribute to those who experienced unimaginable hardship under enemy imprisonment in service to this great country, but who, through their strength and determination, gained their freedom and returned home as heroes. For those still missing, we continue our commitment to never rest until all are accounted for and their families have peace from the knowledge of learning what happened to their loved ones. We can never repay the debt we owe to those who have devoted their lives in service to this country; we can only continue to demonstrate our gratitude and admiration by honoring and calling attention to their sacrifices. The haunting black and white flag honoring America's prisoners of war and those missing in action, which hangs outside my office, today will fly over the United States Capitol, the White House, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and many homes across the country. This flag reminds all Americans of our veterans' sacrifices, and that our mission is never complete until every man and woman who defended America in distant lands returns home. On behalf of the constituents of Michigan's First District, I wish to thank all the veterans in Northern Michigan for their tremendous strength and bravery. And for the families of those who are still missing, we renew our promise to never rest until your loved ones arrive back under your care.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, America has a veteran suicide epidemic. Bearing the stresses of wartime demands, today more of our nation's heroes are taking their own lives than are killed overseas. We must do more to be there for our servicemembers when they return home and help them transition to civilian life. I am pleased that the Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized September as Suicide Prevention Month and will undertake an outreach campaign to raise awareness of the VA mental health services available to veterans. This month and beyond the agency will educate communities, health care providers, friends and family members about recognizing suicide risk and the resources available to help our loved ones. As a former VA doctor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I know that the challenges of military life do not end once our servicemembers retire from active duty. Physical and invisible wounds can last a lifetime, and the mental health and well-being of these brave men and women must remain the highest priority for this country. Community organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, family and friends must continue to familiarize themselves with the signs of a veteran in crisis and learn where to turn for support. Congress and the VA must redouble their efforts to ensure there is always someone on the other end of the line to help a veteran or family member in need. Everyone can help fight this epidemic, and be there for those that were there for us. I encourage my colleagues to redouble their efforts to raise awareness of this very serious epidemic, and thank all those who have served our country for their immeasurable service and sacrifice.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment is very simple. It's a single line that adds, at line 15, ``including the health effects associated with the regulatory costs.'' It's a simple principle. Regulations cost money to implement. No one will dispute that. In fact, when the EPA or any other Federal agency wants to issue a new regulation, it's legally obligated to let Americans know both the costs and the benefits of these proposed rules. However, due to a narrow interpretation of this obligation, the EPA often avoids measuring all aspects of the full costs of its proposed regulations, including the impact of jobs lost and the adverse health effects of those lost jobs. Why is this important? I'm a doctor, and there's near universal agreement among doctors, scientists, and statisticians that joblessness and higher energy prices result in negative health outcomes--including suicide, respiratory illness, and a much higher likelihood of early deaths. Despite this, the EPA never admitted that there was a simple negative health effect resulting from its heavy-handed air quality regulations. Dr. Harvey Brenner of the University of North Texas has found that a substantial reduction in coal-powered electricity could cause between 170,000 and 300,000 premature deaths. A 2011 study by the Stony Brook University found that the risk of premature death was 63 percent higher for people who experienced an extended period of unemployment. According to a 2012 report by the American Legislative Exchange Council, Michigan will rank as the fifth worst hit State impacted by the EPA's most recent onslaught. Total job losses in the State could reach almost 15,000. To make matters worse, while employment is decreasing, the electricity rates would be increasing, potentially by as much as 30 percent. Not only would EPA regulations be responsible for Michigan residents losing their jobs and paying more for electricity, it's estimated the State could lose $1.9 billion in manufacturing output by 2015, as well as suffer a loss of $1.7 billion in the State and local government revenue. Let's talk a little bit more about the families in Michigan. We know that the 54 percent of Michigan families that earn $50,000 or less a year currently spend 23 percent of their after-tax income on energy and that Michigan families earning $10,000 a year or less devote 85 percent of their income to energy. As for jobs, a recent study on the economic impact of lakes-seaway shipping found that waterborne commerce sustains almost 27,000 jobs in Michigan. In 2008, over 16 million tons of coal were delivered to Michigan ports, most via the Soo Locks in my district. Although the amount of mercury emitted from U.S. power plants has been cut in half since 2005, the Obama administration continues to insist on implementing harsh new regulations that will not only increase energy prices, but they allow marginal benefits. For example, the EPA already admits that virtually all, more than 99 percent of the claimed benefits of the Utility MACT rule will come from reductions in particulate matter that is already regulated under separate regulations. Families in my district simply can't afford these burdensome regulations, and they deserve an administration that will be truthful about the real economic and health impact of any regulations they propose. I urge Members to support my amendment which, again, is simple. The underlying bill creates an interagency committee to assess the cumulative impacts of current and pending environmental regulations. My amendment would simply require this committee to evaluate the health effects associated with the regulatory costs. Like everyone, I want clean air and water. I grew up on the Great Lakes. I believe those of us who call northern Michigan ``home'' are blessed to live near three of the five Great Lakes. Anyone who visits our area is able to enjoy the clear blue waters of our vast lakes that stretch from horizon to horizon. I would never vote for a bill that would endanger such a national treasure. My friends across the aisle will make all kinds of claims, but the truth is this: This bill does not affect the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate mercury and other hazardous air pollutants but, rather, will help ensure that those regulations are cost effective and use improved processes. Right now, my constituents need jobs, not more regulations. Our Federal agencies need to consider the full costs, both health and economic, of proposed regulations. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for my time, and I urge my colleagues to vote for my amendment and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time, if there's any left.

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, as many of you may know, before coming to Congress, I was a physician in northern Michigan for nearly 30 years, and tonight I want to spend a little time talking to you about Medicare, the President's health care bill, and just health care in general. In practice, many of my patients were on Medicare, and I know how important medical care is to our seniors. It's an important part of their ability to take care of themselves as they get older. Really, the reason I'm here today is to explain that the GOP and the Republicans want to preserve Medicare for our current seniors and for the youth that are coming up because right now the way Medicare is organized, the trust fund will be out of money within 10 to 12 years. Different accountants have different numbers. But basically, unless we do something, we're going to run out of money. We just don't want that to happen. I want to see people still have access to their care. In discussing this issue, it seems as if we've been attacked for trying to end Medicare. But if you see that there's a problem with a system that is running out of money and you don't want to address it, that's just not right. The Doctors Caucus in the House is 18 physicians, nurses, and dentists that represent different areas of the country, and we have a good understanding of health care as it exists right now in America. Certainly, there are problems with health care and access to it. And although we have great health care in America, the problem is it's too expensive. Frankly, the President's health care bill makes it more difficult to keep Medicare viable. Those are a few of the things I want to talk to you about this evening, just touch on to let you understand what I think about how the system is working and how we can improve it. I don't think it's a partisan issue. I think it's something that we need to discuss. Frankly, I just don't think that some of the people that have passed these laws in Congress really understood what they were doing. They admitted the fact that they passed the bill without really knowing what was in it. I just don't think that's really a good idea. What is really the problem with Medicare? The problem is that the population of our country is changing. There are more older citizens than there were; in other words, there are 10,000 new Medicare beneficiaries being added each day. Right now, a little over three people are paying into the system for every person that is collecting. Because of the large numbers of people that are being added to the roles, within a few years there are only going to be two people paying in for each person collecting. That creates a problem in the fact that there are not as many people paying in as are receiving benefits. With the cost of health care going up, it makes it a fiscal cliff. The other big problem that we see with the Medicare situation is the fact that the President's health care law, in order to pay for it, takes $700 billion out of Medicare. That's a lot of money to take out of Medicare and still expect it to provide care for our seniors, more and more of which are coming on to it every day. I think that there is certainly some waste, fraud, and abuse that can be eliminated, and that will help, but it's just not enough. We have to change the system. The system that I think we should change to, frankly, is the system of Paul Ryan and Mr. Wyden of Oregon, who brought together a program where we can put some changes in for those people under 55 that will allow them to choose between different private insurance plans similar to what Federal employees and Members of Congress have. These private plans would be inspected and reviewed by the government to be sure that they're adequate and give people some flexibility in how they spend their money. One of the problems I see with Medicare is that the government ends up deciding how to spend the money rather than the patient. The patient, to me, is the one whose money it is. The people who are spending the money should be the ones who are deciding how it's spent, not some government person or bureaucrat in Washington. Show me the slide on the $700 billion. I just want to show people the slide that demonstrates what's happened to this money. I represent the northern half of Michigan. We have many small towns and small hospitals in my district. Every little town has their community hospital, and it's hours sometimes to the next facility. This slide here shows the $716 billion coming out of the Medicare program, and $294 billion of that money is payments to hospitals. The President describes the Medicare cuts as cutting waste and overpayments to providers. Well, these hospitals are the ones that are providing the care; and as a doctor, I'd be a provider as well. But when you cut $294 billion from our local hospitals, I know, I served on the board of a hospital. Our hospitals are operating at a razor-thin profit margin. They have to stay in the black, otherwise they go out of business. They can't make their payroll. We've recently had a hospital in our district go bankrupt because of their problems with payments from Medicare. This is going to continue to happen as we go forward if we allow this President's health care bill to continue with $156 billion cut from Medicare Advantage, $111 billion to be cut by IPAB and other provisions, $66 billion cut from home health care agencies, $39 billion cut from skilled nursing, $33 billion from FFS Medicare providers and $17 billion from hospice care. These are crucial programs for our seniors. With more and more seniors coming into the program, how are they going to be provided care with less money? I don't see it happening. What's going to happen is there are going to be fewer hospitals, fewer places for patients to get care, so it's going to be difficult; and in my district we may have to travel hundreds of miles to get seen. I think it's pretty darn scary, to tell you the truth. Dr. Harris, another member of the Doctors Caucus, is here with us tonight. He's from Maryland, and he's an anesthesiologist.

Mr. BENISHEK. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. BENISHEK. That's right.

Mr. BENISHEK. Thank you. I truly appreciate my colleague from Maryland taking a little time to be with us tonight and give us his insight as a physician here on the floor. I would like to say a few words about IPAB. This is the Independent Payment Advisory Board. This is the mechanism that Mr. Obama's health care plan has for controlling costs. And really, what it is, it's 15 appointed bureaucrats, each making $165,000 a year, with no congressional oversight, whose only purpose is to reduce Medicare spending. So if the Medicare budget goes up too much and is over the limit, these guys in Washington are going to decide what to cut. They're going to decide if you deserve a PSA prostate test or deserve a mammogram or you deserve a colonoscopy. They're going to decide that they may not pay for that. If we don't act, this board could being making these kind of decisions as soon as 2015. Denial of payment for care is going to really lead to denial of care for our seniors. I don't think it's fair for these Washington bureaucrats who know nothing about the patient to be making these decisions. I'm used to taking care of patients, and sometimes we have to make some really difficult decisions. But those decisions have been made between the physician, the patient, and the family, not some bureaucrat in Washington who doesn't know the patient and can't decide if this patient really qualifies for care and should not be denied. So I just think it's so wrong to allow bureaucrats that don't know the patient to be making these decisions, and I just want to make sure people understand the seriousness of this. There's no appeal from this board. There's no getting somebody off this board once they're appointed. It's really unbelievable. Tonight, also, I have the pleasure of being joined by my colleague from New York, a nurse, Ms. Buerkle of New York. Thank you for joining us.

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank my colleague from New York for joining us this evening. I appreciate her insight. I just want to say a couple more things about this tax that she mentioned on medical device manufacturers. You know, in my district as well, we have a couple of companies that make the drills for orthopedic surgeons where they put in the screws and that sort of thing. This tax is, I think it's a 2.3 percent tax, not on their profits, but on their gross. So even a small startup company that's trying to innovate, which we have in my district, and create a new device that will help people with care, even if they're losing money, they have to pay the tax on any gross receipts they have. That, to me, is like the most regressive part of that tax. Besides that, it's forcing our medical innovators to move their companies overseas. I mean, you know, people aren't stupid. They realize that if they're going to be taxed here in this country even though they're losing money, they're going to move that manufacturing capability to Europe, and that's already been happening. So this law is taking the medical innovators in this country--and everyone knows this country has been leading the way in the world in medical innovation for the last hundred years. It's forcing those people to go overseas to do business. That's not good for America. That's taking highly skilled people and asking them to go somewhere else to do business because we have a bad climate for that. I want to talk just a little bit longer this evening about some real health care reform. I mean, as I mentioned, the President's health care bill doesn't fix the problem with health care. The problem with health care is it's too expensive. This bill doesn't make it less expensive. It's becoming more expensive. When Medicare runs out of money, the way they're going to fix it is by decreasing payment to the hospitals and doctors that are providing you with care, so they're not going to want to take care of you either. So let me just talk a little bit about a couple of, I don't know, commonsense ideas that we're talking about on this side of the aisle. The first of those is health care insurance. I mean, the problem with insurance is it costs too much. So, what can we do to make it cost less? Well, I mean, I like to compare the difference between health insurance and car insurance. In car insurance, you can choose from a thousand different companies in this country from Florida to California to Wisconsin to Michigan and pick a company that suits your needs, and if you don't like that company, you switch to another company. Right now, employers control most of the health insurance. We need to have a plan that, number one, gives the individual control over their health insurance so that you can pick a health insurance policy that you like even if the employee next to you chooses a different policy. Why should it have to be the same? Why should you have to carry insurance for acupuncture if you never use acupuncture? Some States actually mandate the coverage of acupuncture. This is why insurance costs so much. Your car insurance does not pay for an oil change. It does not pay for new tires. It does not pay for routine, small expenses that you can expect because that's not what insurance is for. Insurance is for a catastrophic event. If you want your car insurance to pay for oil changes and new tires, it's going to cost a lot of money because that's not the purpose of insurance. The purpose of insurance is to protect you from a catastrophic event. That's why the Health Savings Account is an important component of free market health care reform because then you have--for example, say you're working for somebody; instead of paying your health insurance, your employer pays into a Health Savings Account, which is then your money to use for health care. And it comes to you tax free, so you're not paying any taxes on it. It would be the same as if your employer was paying for a health insurance policy for you. So with that money, then, you could be paying for your routine health care out of that. Now, this is money in your account now, so you may want to choose how you spend that a little carefully because that money is in your Health Savings Account, that's money that belongs to you now, and you can use that any way you want for your health care. Or maybe if you don't even use it all, that would be there for you in your estate once you die for your children. So you want to be careful with that. So when you're going to go get an MRI for your shoulder, you may not just go to the place that your doctor may recommend, you may shop around for an MRI. Because I know, for example, that at some places you can get an MRI for $2,500, at another place you can get an MRI for $600, the same MRI. Unless you actually kind of look around for it, you're not going to be able to find that deal. You're not going to even know about it because right now you don't even care about it perhaps because your insurance pays it and you have a copay that doesn't affect you. But if you're taking this money out of a Health Savings Account, you're going to be shopping more. That's the power of transparency in cost. So, looking around to see where you can save money to keep money in your Health Savings Account, and then shopping for insurance that suits your needs, not the needs of the person next to you, but suits your needs so that you may choose an insurance company, like for your car insurance, that differs from our neighbor's but suits you just fine. You may have Chevrolet insurance or you may have Cadillac insurance, but it's your choice. Those are just two things that I think would really diminish the cost of medicine and not involve taking over everything by the government and actually decrease costs. The other thing that nobody really talks about much in the cost of medicine is the cost of malpractice. Malpractice is something that doctors can be very uncomfortable with, but sometimes injuries do occur. Is it a good result for a patient who's been injured to have to go to court for 5 or 6 years and then have to pay fees for attorneys of 50 to 60 percent of the judgment after 5 or 6 years in court? Is that justice for an injured patient? Frankly, it's not something that doctors want to see. Doctors want to see, if there is actually an injury, let's have it dealt with in a reasonable fashion. Let's have it adjudicated in an administrative law situation when there has been an injury. A panel of people can decide, yes, there has been actual injury, let's make a judgment, and let's give that patient a judgment, and let's get it done with within several months. That would be better. It would eliminate the entire cost of a trial, the attorney fees and all that, and physicians would like it. Patients would like it, I think, because it would give them speedier access to justice. I think that by doing that we would eliminate a lot of the extra costs that come into medicine. Right now, if you come into the emergency room for something, a pain in your belly, you're going to get a CAT scan pretty much automatically because the doctor is afraid of being sued. And it doesn't cost him anything, it doesn't cost the patient anything, he's going to order a CAT scan, he's going to order the x-ray, he's going to order a lot of tests just to protect himself. These are some of the hidden costs of malpractice that people don't really think about. They just think about the cost of malpractice as simply the cost of the doctor's insurance, which can be expensive. Right now, different States will have different abilities to attract physicians because they have different means of dealing with malpractice. But I think that for the patient, really, we need to have a better system where they get compensated faster and with less aggravation than the system we have now. So, I think the main thing that we're talking about on this side, we talk about health care reform, is to talk about having a conversation with the American people. Maybe you don't agree with some of these ideas on how to make our health care system better and more efficient. Well, I can understand that. Let's have a conversation. Let's decide how we can do it better. Let's try a pilot program in one State. Let's allow States to experiment in how to do things. Let's not write a bill of 2,700 pages in the middle of the night that nobody read and then put it on the American people and say it's going to be great, but we don't know what's in it because we haven't read it, and then go through the next 2\1/2\ years realizing that it's a mistake. I mean, there definitely needs to be room for improvement in our system, but can't we have this conversation in an open fashion? I think a lot of people even on the other side would realize that, hey, we made a mistake, but isn't it more important to admit that we made a mistake and try to move forward in a fashion that actually cuts cost? We see it's not cutting costs. It's been devastating to the American economy. I've talked to small business owners across my district over the past 2 years and they say the same things again and again: There's regulations cost us money and our health care cost us money; it's going to make us not be able to hire more people. So I think we've made some real mistakes here in the past, but now is the time to address them and move forward and try to make some commonsense decisions. Frankly, I'm happy to hear from people with ideas. I hear ideas from people all the time in the district that really make some sense and are certainly worth trying out. So with that, I want to thank the members of the Physicians Caucus that were here this evening for our evening hour, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks to commemorate those who perished as well as the first responders, volunteers and bystanders who acted so valiantly on that day we will never forget. Eleven years later, the events of that tragic day are still vivid. It was a day marked by fire and ash. By dust and smoke. By tears and sorrow. But it was also a day that showed the world what type of people call America home. While we witnessed the great evil which man is capable of producing, we also saw the great heroism and good nature of America's citizens. It showed the selflessness of our first responders who rushed into burning buildings to save the lives of people they never even met, or the countless people, including residents of Northern Michigan, who stood in long lines to give their own blood or donate their time or materials to rescue workers and the recovery effort. There were certainly countless other acts of heroism and bravery on that day that the world will never know. Terrorists may have been able to knock down our biggest buildings, but they have never been able to diminish the kindness and generosity that the American people and millions of our neighbors around the globe have in our hearts. On that sad day, residents from all corners of our country reaffirmed what it means to be an American united with our neighbors across this vast land. It is my hope that all Americans can continue to represent the spirit of those who perished through our actions and conduct towards one another. On behalf of the citizens of Michigan's First Congressional District, I wish to recognize the extraordinary actions of ordinary Americans on that fateful day and express my condolences for those who were lost on September 11, as well as those who lost their lives in the military conflicts that stemmed from this attack. Their heroism and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is an honor and pleasure to pay tribute to Corporal Richard M. Morrison for his extraordinary service to our country both on and off the battlefield, for which he has been named the 2012 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Veteran of the Year. Corporal Morrison served in the Fighting 4th Division of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. Long after he retired his Marine Corps' uniform, Corporal Morrison has continued to serve our country as a public servant and mentor to our veterans. He has dedicated his life to serving veterans and their families in communities throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Corporal Morrison is currently affiliated with the Walter W. Cole American Legion, the Marine Corps League Detachment and Military Order of the Devil Dogs among other organizations. Corporal Morrison has also been elected as the Adjutant, Vice Commander and Commander of American Legion Post 301, as well as the American Legion 11th District Commander. For his more than 25 years of work as a Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs Service Officer and his 8 years as Chairman of the American Legion Department of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee, the American Legion officially named their annual officer service school the ``Richard Morrison Service Officer School.'' During 2012, Corporal Morrison attended all American Legion district and zone meetings; visited four Marine Corps Detachments; served on the 2012 Michigan Marine Corps League State Convention Committee; taught students about military history at six local schools; trained American Legion Service Officers; and was a member of the Delta County Veterans Council Funeral Honor Guard. On behalf of the citizens of Michigan's First District, it is my privilege to recognize Corporal Richard M. Morrison as the 2012 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Veteran of the Year for his service, sacrifice, and continued patriotism.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, today, I join all Northern Michigan in extending my greatest sympathies to my constituent Ms. Vickie Hayes, of Vanderbilt, Michigan, as she and her family mourn the loss of Marine Sergeant Justin Hansen. Sergeant Hansen was killed during combat operations in Badghis Province, Afghanistan on July 31, 2012. Justin had previously served in Iraq and was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. A gifted athlete, Sergeant Hansen served as captain of the track, wrestling and football teams for the Kingsley High School Stags during his high school career. Sergeant Hansen also enjoyed outdoor activities such as snowboarding and was an avid motorcyclist--often doing these activities with members of his family. Sergeant Hansen graduated in 2003 from Kingsley High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2005. He attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he graduated with honors. In 2006, Sergeant Hansen was selected to participate in and graduated from the Basic Reconnaissance Course in Coronado, California. He was also stationed at Camp Schwab with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He was later deployed with the 31st Expeditionary Marine Unit and joined the Special Operations Command in 2009. His honors include the Purple Heart, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Good Conduct Medals, certified Corps Parachutist, and a brown belt in the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts program. Sergeant Hansen is survived by his parents, Ms. Vickie Hayes of Vanderbilt, Michigan, and Mr. Richard Hansen, of Williamsburg, Michigan. Sergeant Hansen is also survived by his stepmother, Shawna Hansen; stepfather, Steven C. Cornell; sisters, Adrienne (Matthew) Russell, of Traverse City, Morgan Compton and Veronica Compton of Kingsley; stepbrothers, Jeremy Borey, of Chicago, IL, and Adam Cornell, of Traverse City; stepsister, Jessica Borey, of Elk Rapids; grandparents, Wayne and Ardyce Hansen, of Traverse City, Ken and Sandra Sleder, of Traverse City, and Carol Hays, of Jackson; niece and nephew, Madison Goodwin and Garrett Russell, of Traverse City; aunts and uncles, Steve Hansen of Pacifica, California, Richard and Sue Costlow of Traverse City, USAF Chief MSgt. Erick M. and Mary Hays, of Benton, Louisiana, Lonnie and Valerie Schaub, of Grand Rapids, Dave and LeAnne Sleder, of Traverse City, Jeff and Bev Sleder, of Katy, Texas, and Kathy Sleder, of Fort Collins, Colorado; as well as a large extended family throughout the United States. I can find no words that can fully express my gratitude for his service to our country or for the sympathy I feel for family, friends, and loved ones by the loss of this young man. I know Justin's memory will live on through our actions and conduct towards others. To Justin's family, I can offer only the hope that you will find solace in the loving embrace of your family, friends, and the kind providence of God. I am well aware that my words will not soften your overwhelming grief, but I am reminded of the words of President Lincoln, written to a mother during the Civil War, ``I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' On behalf of the citizens of the First District of Michigan, I would like to express my profound sadness for the loss of Sergeant Justin Hansen. Northern Michigan has certainly lost one of its finest, and his memory and service will not be forgotten.