Lisa Blunt Rochester

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2610, the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. Mr. Speaker, we have all received those calls and those emails--folks pretending to be from a Federal agency or law enforcement telling you that they need your personal information or money. And while many of us may ignore those calls or send the emails to spam, the reality is that these fraud schemes are real, they are dangerous, and they are often targeted at seniors. Bad actors preying on older Americans is, unfortunately, nothing new. But in the midst of a global pandemic impacting Americans' lives and livelihoods, cracking down on these scams must be a priority. That is why earlier this Congress I was proud to introduce the Stop Senior Scams Act along with my Republican colleague, Representative Tim Walberg, who worked very hard on this. We send our thoughts and prayers to him. This bill, as its name suggests, was aimed at cracking down on these scams by creating a Federal Trade Commission advisory group and was supported by the AARP. The FTC group that would be created would be made up of government agencies, consumer advocates, and industry representatives to help identify potential sources of fraud. It would create educational materials for our Nation's seniors to protect them from these dangerous schemes and ensure that they are not taken advantage of. Under the leadership of Chairman Pallone and Chairwoman Schakowsky, and thanks to Ranking Member Walden, who is leaving us--and we are also sorry to see him leave--and Mrs. Rodgers, the Energy and Commerce Committee has been focused on cracking down on fraud. It was in that spirit that our committee combined the Stop Senior Scams Act with other antifraud provisions, creating a stronger and more comprehensive bill. I am also proud to say that protecting our constituents is not a partisan issue and that all five measures under H.R. 2610 are bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, one of the most fundamental obligations of government is to protect its citizens. Now more than ever, the least we can do is protect already vulnerable seniors from being taken advantage of by bad actors. The Fraud and Scam Reduction Act would give our seniors the information they need and empower them to avoid these dangerous and malicious scams. This bill is about protecting our grandparents, our parents, our sisters, our brothers, our neighbors, and our aunts and uncles. This is about protecting Americans, especially during a pandemic. I am proud to have worked with the Energy and Commerce Committee. I thank all of the other cosponsors and my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, for the work that they did to strengthen this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support its passage.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. This infrastructure bill invests in our roads, bridges, transit systems, schools, housing, clean water systems, and so much more. Importantly, it will create good-paying jobs, repair critical infrastructure, address the climate crisis, and create healthier and safer communities. I am proud that this bill includes key provisions that I championed in Congress, including repairing our natural gas pipelines to prevent methane leaks, investing in our public buildings to make them more energy efficient, and incentivizing our Nation's ports to reduce harmful emissions. These investments are a down payment on our Nation's future, and they will, indeed, help us move America forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of H.R. 2.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2 because it is a critical investment in our roads, bridges, schools, and other vital infrastructure. Not only that, this plan ensures we build a clean energy economy that will address the climate crisis and make our communities healthier and safer. Amendments Nos. 37 and 71, which we are debating today, are two of my bills that prioritize investments in environmental justice communities. These are the communities that are overburdened with pollution and are being hit the hardest with impacts of both the climate crisis and COVID-19. The Climate Action Planning for Ports Act creates a competitive grant program at EPA that will incentivize ports to implement climate action plans, reduce their air pollution, and engage the communities to reduce the cumulative impacts of the pollution from the nearby port. EPA is uniquely equipped to manage a grant program like this and will complement the Ports Initiative that already exists at the agency. Most importantly, though, this program provides flexibility for ports and port authorities while requiring strong emissions targets and near-port community engagement. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of these amendments and H.R. 2.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on roll call votes cast on February 7, 2020. On Roll Call Vote Number 54, on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``Yea.''

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, every 22 hours, a Delaware family loses a loved one to an overdose. Unfortunately, that figure may increase due to the proliferation of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl has made this national public health emergency increasingly deadly and increasingly difficult to address. My home state of Delaware continues to see an unacceptably high loss of life due to the increasing prevalence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and despite the work Congress has done to address this crisis. With the passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, we took significant steps forward to truly address the opioid epidemic. But it is clear that we must do more. We need a comprehensive response to combat the opioid epidemic and the proliferation of fentanyl. I call on my colleagues to provide the funding needed to effectively treat substance use disorder, funding I proudly champion as a supporter of the Respond NOW Act, which would provide $5 billion dollars a year to treatment services. And I hope to work with my colleagues in the near future to advocate for the kind of policies we need to effectively respond to fentanyl and finally bring the relief our communities deserve. We cannot arrest our way out of this crisis and this bill gives me serious concern. Sadly, our criminal justice system is not able to solve this problem. Too often the proposed solution has been to take away judicial discretion in favor of mandatory minimums, disproportionately affecting the poor and people of color. Worse, this drive to incarcerate coupled with the lack of effective treatment for substance use disorder behind the walls of our correctional institutions threatens to make a national crisis into a national disaster. While controlling the flow of illicit fentanyl can help mitigate this crisis, it can only do so temporarily. And that is why I support S. 3201 today because while it is far from perfect, we need to try and curb the increase of addiction and death by fentanyl because too often, these tragic deaths disproportionately impact people of color. This bill will only extend the DEA's scheduling order for 15 months and require an important study to give us the information we need to truly solve this calamity. It will give us time to create the long-term solution the country needs.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I respect my Committee on Energy and Commerce colleagues, but I cannot support this motion to recommit. What we have today is an opportunity to live up to our promise. Democrats promised. Republicans promised. Even the President promised to lower prescription drug costs. Let's not get this confused or mixed up. Colleagues, I want to just make it plain: The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, H.R. 3, is about three things: Fairness, hope, and legacy. Fairness: Is it fair that the United States pays 2, 3, or 60 times more for the same drug as other countries? Is it fair that in a capitalist country our government can't negotiate? We can negotiate for planes, but we can't negotiate for insulin? The Congressional Budget Office says that H.R. 3 will lower out-of- pocket costs and premiums for those on Medicare and it will reduce premiums for 180 million Americans who have private insurance. American households will save $120 billion over 10 years. Let me put it another way: These same Americans will see their cash wages increase by $116 billion. It is about fairness. H.R. 3 is about hope. As AARP has shared, it gives seniors hope that with savings from this bill, we will modernize and expand Medicare and cap part D out-of- pocket costs. The $2,000 cap could be the difference between a lifesaving pill and somebody's rent. Hope: With the savings generated from this bill, we can expand Medicare coverage to include hearing, vision, and dental. Hope: We can accelerate the great American tradition of innovative research for scientific breakthroughs and cures for the National Institutes of Health. And with H.R. 3, we will provide patients like David Mitchell, who testified before our committee about his personal experience with cancer. And what he said is that it taught him something: Drugs don't work if people can't afford them. In other words, if you can't afford it, you don't have it. So, lastly, this will provide us a legacy.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to report that last week the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. We also passed out of committee H.R. 4671, the Helping Seniors Afford Healthcare Act, which I introduced with my colleagues Representatives Andy Kim and Dwight Evans. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries receive financial assistance for their premiums and out-of-pocket costs through the Medicare Savings Programs, or MSPs. Medicare takes great strides to protect low-income beneficiaries through these programs, but there are millions of Americans who fall through the cracks. My bill expands access to the MSPs so more Medicare beneficiaries will be protected from soaring healthcare costs. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting the passage of H.R. 3 and H.R. 4671.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, since January, the House of Representatives has passed bills lowering prescription drug prices, strengthening protections for preexisting conditions, and making sure Americans can find affordable, quality health insurance coverage. I know thousands of Delawareans, small businesses, and millennials all across the board are struggling to afford the healthcare that they need, and in 2019 that is unacceptable. Many of us saw hope and help when the Affordable Care Act was passed, and my commitment to the American people is protecting the ground that we gained while strengthening this landmark legislation. As part of that commitment, six bills stabilizing the ACA and lowering the cost of prescription drugs were incorporated into my bill, the MORE Health Education Act, and the entire package passed the House a few weeks ago. This bill will help lower the cost of prescription drugs by bringing generics to the market faster, helping Americans understand health insurance options available to them, and protect those with preexisting conditions. I am proud that this legislation passed the House of Representatives, and I look forward to working with the Senate to ensure that these bills become law. Every American deserves quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable, and we will keep fighting for our States and for the country.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to the division C Defense appropriations of H.R. 2740. I applaud my colleagues for including expanded authorities in the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act that would allow the Defense Department's Space-Available Flights program to benefit veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability. As you may know, the Space-A program offers free military air travel to eligible participants if there is available space on a flight heading to a destination within the continental United States. Prior to the fiscal year 2019 NDAA, the Space-A program provided Active Duty, reservists, retirees, and certain family members with this benefit. Space-A is an example of programs operated by the military that can and do work for the American people. Expanding the benefit to include 100 percent disabled veterans was common sense, and will help those veterans visit their family, old friends from the service, and even seek services for medical and mental health treatment with the best possible healthcare providers. For 100 percent disabled veterans in Delaware, the expansion of Space-A offered an especially convenient travel alternative due to the Dover Air Force Base's central location within the State. Many such communities across the country are similarly improved thanks to this program. While the effort to expand access to this program to some of our Nation's veterans was well-intentioned, I have heard from some veterans that there may have been an unintended consequence. The new authorities do not allow caregivers or spouses to travel with eligible veterans as part of the program. For many veterans that are rated as 100 percent disabled, the inability to have their caregiver or spouse join them on the flight effectively disqualifies them from utilizing this incredible program. We must ensure that all eligible veterans have equal and fair access to the benefits they have earned. President Lincoln made it clear that it is our country's duty to care and assist those that had borne the battle on behalf of the country, and it is our duty as a country to follow through on that promise. That is why I request that the Department of Defense provide to Congress an assessment of feasibility or possible issues in expanding eligible participants to include spouses and caregivers when traveling with 100 percent disabled veterans. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on improving this benefit afforded to these veterans.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I want to first thank the members of the Appropriations Committee for recognizing the ongoing and critical shortage of primary care physicians and behavioral health specialists, a trend that is projected to continue into the coming years, by requesting that HRSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration, issue a report to Congress on how to better recruit and train these health professionals, as well as recommendations to address health professional staffing shortages. My amendment serves to underscore the importance of the requested report and to encourage HRSA to not just analyze how these efforts can improve staffing shortages in underserved areas, but how we can increase the number of physicians serving in community health centers located in those areas. Delaware, like many States around the country, is facing a severe primary care physician shortage. In 2018, there were just 815 primary care physicians in Delaware, down 5.4 percent from 2013. According to HRSA, of the three counties in Delaware, two of them, Kent and Sussex, exceed the 2,000 to 1 primary-doctor-to-patient ratio, which is a benchmark for shortages. According to a study commissioned by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, this trend is going to significantly impact the State's rural, downstate communities. As HRSA develops recommendations for addressing physician shortages, they should also focus on how we can incentivize primary care physicians, in addition to other physicians experiencing health staffing shortages, to not just practice in underserved areas, but at community health centers. Community health centers bring comprehensive primary care to underserved areas, improving not only access to healthcare, but health outcomes. People in my State depend on community health centers for a variety of reasons. La Red Health Center, located in Georgetown, Delaware, shared that their patients appreciated their access to primary care, behavioral health services, and oral health care all in one place, and that medical services focused on the full lifecycle. For some, they face the inability to access care at private practices. Community health centers will continue to be a vital source of care for underserved communities, and we should know the best ways to attract physicians to serve in them. Madam Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support the amendment. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), a tireless advocate and distinguished Member, the chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2740 and this commonsense amendment. It will ensure that we have the best information available to help all communities, both rural and urban. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, standing on the achievements of brave women who came before me, to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment House passage, expanding the right for women to vote. As we celebrate this historic day, I want to pay tribute to an overlooked but trailblazing woman who helped make it possible, Delaware pioneer and suffragist, Mary Ann Shadd Cary. In her prophetic words: ``We should do more and talk less.'' Using the power of the pen, Shadd Cary was the first woman to edit and publish a newspaper in North America, using that role to combat systemic racism and slavery. After the Civil War, she set her sights on a new cause: voting. She became one of the first Black female lawyers in the United States to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, in 1874, advocating for women's suffrage in these very Halls. Described by W.E.B. Du Bois as ``well-educated, vivacious, with determination shining from her sharp eyes,'' Mary Ann Shadd Cary blazed trails for women everywhere, and throughout her life, always fought in the name of justice and equality. We owe it to her and we owe it to all to continue to fight for our rights.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Pallone for yielding and for his leadership. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. This legislative package is comprised of commonsense proposals that will advance important gains made by the Affordable Care Act and further improve our healthcare system by, one, lowering the cost of prescription drug prices and, two, increasing access to care. Included in this package is my bill, the MORE Health Education Act, which will restore funding to the Affordable Care Act's marketing and outreach programs and, according to the CBO, help an additional 5 million Americans get health coverage. Educating Americans about when they can enroll and what their options are gets more people covered, creates a better risk pool, brings down some of the cost of high premiums, and gets us one step closer to stabilizing the individual marketplace. ACA outreach not only boosts enrollment, but is also cost effective. The private sector spends between $250 and $1,000 per enrollment; however, it costs the government just $29 to enroll someone in the individual marketplace using TV ads--$29. The goal of affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare is not a D or an R, it is an A for American. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the chairman of the committee. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ``sabotage'' is, an act or process intended to hurt or hamper. I am a person who is really particular about words, and I have heard this word used a lot. And when I look at what has happened to the Affordable Care Act over the past few years, the administration has slashed the enrollment period, we scrubbed the ACA from government websites, we have cut in-person assistance, and eliminated almost all of the educational outreach for the open enrollment period. All of the administration's actions were intended to deliberately damage the ACA and hamper American's access to affordable, quality healthcare. I don't question people's motivations. I think we all want the same thing. We all want healthcare for Americans. But this bill, H.R. 987, is intended to do two things. Number one, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and number two, strengthen this historic legislation, the ACA. Today, we have an opportunity to reverse the administration's relentless sabotage of the healthcare system and lower prescription drug prices. And as I think about individuals in my State, I think about a woman who came to me crying because of the cost of her prescription drugs. Every one of us in here wants to see something happen. Today, we have the opportunity to make that happen. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 987.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chair, I would like to revise my remarks made during general debate of the underlying measure, H.R. 987. In my remarks, I stated that the marketing and outreach provision under Title II of H.R. 987 would increase enrollment into health plans by five million over the ten year period as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. Due to the methodology adopted by the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the enrollment effect of the underlying measure, the figure is more appropriately represented as increasing enrollment by about 500,000 each year over the ten year period.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment because by stripping the ACA's stabilization bills from this package, we are reneging on the promise that we made to the American people: access to quality, affordable healthcare. This complete package of bills helps stabilize the ACA which will improve the risk pool, reduce premium cost, and lower the number of uninsured. The CBO found that my bill, the MORE Health Education Act would help 5 million Americans obtain high-quality health insurance created by the ACA. It is supported by AARP, the American Hospital Association, and a number of other organizations, as was mentioned before. From day one, there has been a concern that when we shorten the amount of time that people can enroll, when we tell them that we are not going to let them know what is even available to them, and then we take away the resources and the individuals that can help them get there, that is why we feel like we have been watching and witnessing the move backwards. What we want to do with this bill is move forward. So I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and support the full legislative package for the people.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chair, I would like to revise my remarks made during debate of amendment No. 2 of H.R. 987, offered by Mr. McKinley. In my remarks, I stated that the marketing and outreach provision under Title II of H.R. 987 would increase enrollment into health plans by five million over the ten year period as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. Due to the methodology adopted by the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the enrollment effect of the underlying measure, the figure is more appropriately represented as increasing enrollment by about 500,000 each year over the ten year period.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this is a simple amendment designed to ensure that Congress is able to review the Department of Health and Human Services' own analysis of the ACA's marketing and outreach programs. In April of this year, I led a letter signed by 30 of my House colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee requesting HHS disclose any studies and data related to their marketing and outreach efforts for the ACA. HHS and CMS have had more than 50 days to respond to this request and provide crucial documents to the public and Congress. The lack of response confirms our concerns about transparency and commitment to implementing the current law. While estimates vary, it is clear that marketing and outreach efforts created by the ACA could significantly improve the lives of tens of thousands of Americans. Many of these Americans are simply unaware of the health insurance and financial assistance options available to them. HHS and CMS have the power and obligation to assist the public in understanding these options. My colleagues would agree that HHS and CMS also have the obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars by doing this effectively. Because of this, earlier this morning, I sent a follow-up letter requesting that these documents be released without delay. The results of this study need to be made public so that Congress can enact effective policy that reaches our common goal of quality and affordable health insurance for all Americans. Simply put, public awareness of the ACA isn't as high as folks are made to believe, and the ACA's marketing and outreach program was an effective tool in helping Americans make informed decisions for their families. According to Joshua Peck, a former senior adviser at CMS who oversaw the marketing program, the private sector spends between $250 and $1,000 per enrollment. How much did it cost the Federal Government? Twenty-nine dollars. It costs government just $29 to enroll someone in the individual marketplace using TV ads. That is a good use of taxpayer dollars. A July 2018 Government Accountability Office report on ACA outreach and enrollment even cites the HHS' study, which looked at the most cost-effective forms of advertising for new and returning enrollees. The GAO found that the study named television ads as one of the best forms of advertising for enrolling Americans. Despite objective, fact- based analysis, the administration eliminated these ads. Mr. Chairman, I support the underlying legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support my amendment and make clear that HHS should be transparent and release these studies. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and also support the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of my colleagues Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, to honor and congratulate Beatrice ``Bebe'' Coker, a mother, sister, artist, advocate, mentor, leader, and recipient of the 2019 John H. Taylor Jr. Education Leadership Award. Bebe, as she is affectionately called, is a lifelong advocate for quality public education, the arts, and diversity and inclusion. She was honored by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce affiliate, The Partnership, Inc., at Superstars in Education Reception and Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2019, for her unrelenting dedication and leadership in advancing education for all children and making our community a better place to live and work. Ms. Coker is a revered community mobilizer and literacy advocate, as well as a champion of social justice in Delaware. Among her many contributions to our state, Ms. Bebe was appointed by former Gov. Pierre S. du Pont to join the Citizens Alliance for Public Education to ensure the peaceful desegregation of Delaware schools. She has volunteered for countless organizations, including The Christiana Cultural Art Center, the NAACP Young Adults Group and the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. She chaired the State Civil Rights Commission and has aided numerous organizations focused on literacy. Bebe holds a bachelor's degree from Morgan State University and a Doctor of Humanities from Delaware State University. She is a playwright, poet, and lyricist. She is, quite simply, a renaissance woman. Never one to shy away from fighting for what she believed in, her work throughout Delaware has had a tremendous impact on us all. As a writer, or through her work in the community, she has always been an honest story teller--the stories of our past, our present, and those that inform the work we do to create a better future. A mentor to many young people, Ms. Coker's greatest source of pride and support is embodied in her three ``daughter/best friends'', retired Capt. Laurie Coker, U.S. Navy Public Health Services, CDC, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Joan Coker, Head and Neck Surgeon, Wilmington, DE; and Julie Coker Graham, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. While each has accomplished much in the ``career-world'', Ms. Coker's pride stems from each embracing a love of service to others as their privilege and responsibility. A community activist in Delaware for over 50 years, Bebe is an inspiration to me. I am proud to stand here today with my fellow Delawareans honoring an extraordinary woman with an extraordinary heart, who is steadfast and unmovable in our community and who consistently sacrifices her time and talent to improve the lives of others. Ms. Coker's anchor is her strong faith in God and lifelong words she was taught to live by, ``Don't let your talents take you, where your character can't keep you. It is all about the ``integrity of one--you''.