Judy Chu

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 88. This bill contains a provision that can only be described as sneaky. It is an anti-choice provision that has no place in a tax bill. It tries to circumvent our Supreme Court and redefine ``person'' by allowing parents to open 529 college savings accounts for unborn children. Actually, this provision is unnecessary because, under current law, parents can already do this. They can open 529 college savings accounts for future children in their own name and then change the name of the beneficiary after the birth of their child. But the implications of adding ``unborn child'' directly into the Tax Code are serious. This is a thinly veiled attempt to codify the legal concept of the unborn child and, therefore, claim that, legally, the fetus is separate from the mother. This language has appeared in Republican tax bills before, and anti- choice extremists did not attempt to hide its reason for its inclusion. When this provision appeared in the House version of H.R. 1, the GOP tax scam, the spokesperson for the anti-choice group March for Life stated publicly: We hope that this is the first step in expanding the child tax credit to include unborn children as well. This is an obvious attempt to lay the legal groundwork for undermining a woman's constitutional right to an abortion. It is an outright attack on women's reproductive rights. Right before Republicans must turn over control of the House to Democrats and before a record number of Congresswomen are sworn in, Republicans are making a last-ditch effort to erode women's constitutional rights to control their own bodies in order to score one last point for an extremist base, and all in a bill that they know is dead on arrival in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this bill and vote ``no.''

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Aris Anagnos, who passed away on July 23, 2018 at the age of 94. We will remember him for his tireless dedication to justice and humanitarianism. Mr. Anagnos was born in Athens, Greece in 1923. As a young man during World War II, he escaped Nazi occupation to serve in North Africa with the Greek Army, fighting alongside Allied Forces. Following the war, he made his way to Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in business administration from UCLA and went on to a successful career in real estate. Throughout his life, he remained dedicated to peace, justice, and civil rights both in his community and around the globe. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, including a term as President, and founded the Humanitarian Law Project/International Education Development Fund. He spearheaded philanthropic projects like the Saint Sophia Cathedral Foundation's Senior Citizen Home and served as a longtime board member and patron of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), a nonprofit organization helping homeless individuals and families in California to find stable, permanent housing. In response to the 1967 through 1974 military dictatorship in his home country, Mr. Anagnos and his late wife Carolyn organized the Committee for Democratic Freedoms in Greece, and went on to co-found the American Hellenic Council, a non-partisan political advocacy organization promoting democracy, human rights, peace, and stability in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Mr. Anagnos later established the Peace Center in Los Angeles, home to several peace and human rights organizations. His tireless efforts to make a lasting positive impact have touched the lives of countless individuals at home and abroad. Mr. Anagnos leaves behind a remarkable legacy of philanthropy, activism, humanitarianism, and community service, and it is my honor to commemorate his life.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jonathan Gold, award-winning food critic and longtime Pasadena resident, who passed away in July from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. Mr. Gold was the first food writer to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize, in 2007, and was also the recipient of five James Beard Awards for his reviews and criticism. Jonathan Gold was born in South Los Angeles on July 28, 1960, and remained a true Angeleno for his whole life, attending high school in Beverly Hills and college at my alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles. While he is best known for his passion for food, Mr. Gold is credited for introducing Los Angeles and its visitors to new foods, culture and experiences. Mr. Gold began his writing career as a copy editor for the LA Weekly while he was still a student at UCLA. After receiving his bachelor's degree in the history of music, he went on to serve as a music editor for the Weekly, until he began writing his now-famous food column, Counter Intelligence, in 1986. At a time when most food critics were focused on haute cuisine and high-end dining, Mr. Gold was an avid pursuer of local establishments, publishing rave reviews of street food, hole-in-the-wall joints, and neighborhood spots. His poetic prose, vivid descriptions of taste and texture, and eclectic references to everything from pop culture to historical ephemera earned his writing many devoted followers. It was no surprise that he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007. I have personally followed Mr. Gold's work for years, as he moved from the LA Weekly, to Gourmet, to the Los Angeles Times, shining a light on neighborhoods and establishments all around Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Mr. Gold's reviews became an essential guide to Los Angeles, giving a window into the way in which food can bring communities together, writing about both the food itself and the people who prepared it. He frequently wrote about ethnic food and Los Angeles' many immigrant communities, in an effort he described as ``celebrating the glorious mosaic of the city.'' His deep love of Los Angeles showed in the rich map he created of the city and its people, crisscrossing the San Gabriel Valley in his pickup truck, always in search of new and exciting places to eat and new people with whom to share a meal. Mr. Gold is survived by his wife, Laurie Ochoa, and their two children, Isabel and Leon. It is my distinct honor to commemorate the life and writing of Jonathan Gold and his lasting impact on Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the YWCA USA as they celebrate their 160th anniversary. With a mission that is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, the YWCA is exactly the kind of organization we need today. It provides leadership development programs for young women in topics ranging from economic empowerment to engaging young girls in STEM fields. From its humble beginnings, the YWCA now operates 1,300 program sites across 47 States and the District of Columbia, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families. It has been at the forefront of social progress, from civil rights to voting rights, to equal pay, to healthcare reform. It is currently the largest network of providers to help victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. In my district, the YWCA in San Gabriel Valley serves nearly 4,000 people, annually, through its domestic violence program called WINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the YWCA for 160 years of great work.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the American Innovation Act. But before I talk about the underlying bill, I want to make clear that this bill is part of the Republicans' larger tax scam 2.0. Instead of increasing opportunity or addressing the income inequality for Americans, the Republicans are doubling down on their failed policies that benefit the wealthiest Americans and are ultimately paid for by the middle class. As a result of the Republicans' tax law, health insurance companies in State after State are announcing higher premiums for next year, while health coverage for those living with preexisting conditions is on the chopping block. To make matters worse, the Medicare trustees cut 3 years off the life of the Medicare trust fund because of the Republican tax bill. But instead of backing away from their mistake, the Republicans are doubling down. Their second round of tax cuts for the wealthy will further compromise the future of Medicare and Social Security, depriving seniors the benefits they have earned. Not to mention, Republicans are cutting taxes for the rich for the second time in less than a year. By simply making permanent the cut to the top individual tax rate, Republicans are providing a huge tax cut for just a fraction of the top 5 percent of taxpayers. At the same time, the Republicans have doubled down on their attack on the middle class by making permanent the limits to the State and local tax deduction. In fact, in my home district in California, 37 percent of tax filers claimed the SALT deduction in 2016, and the average SALT deduction was $18,517 according to IRS data. This is nearly double the cap that Republicans have put in place, and that means that middle class families in my district are footing the bill for the wealthy's permanent tax cuts. In addition, Republicans are also permanently limiting the mortgage interest deduction and casualty loss deduction. Furthermore, the so-called party of fiscal conservatism will be passing over $3 trillion in tax breaks in less than a year. Because of the Republican tax law and President Trump's irresponsible policies, the U.S. Treasury is now borrowing money at a rate of $5.4 billion per day. This package, like the one before it, is being rushed through with no hearings and no input from stakeholders. A rushed and lopsided process resulted in tax bill 1.0, and, in fact, Democrats have identified over 100 problems with the Republicans' tax law. Republicans are doubling down on their flawed policies with this exercise, with bills guaranteed to be dead on arrival in the Senate. Tax scam 2.0 is another reckless tax cut for the wealthy that leaves behind average, hardworking families. Now I would like to discuss H.R. 6756, the American Innovation Act. This bill has never received consideration in a public committee hearing. Last year, the Republicans' rushed process created the end result of a disastrous tax law that is riddled with problems. Yet rather than learn from their mistake, the Republicans are, once again, moving forward with legislation without the appropriate oversight. Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe in American innovation and entrepreneurship. As the only member of both the House Small Business Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, I know just how critical small businesses are to the growth of our economy. They create two out of every three new jobs and allow people to be their own bosses. I know that my Democratic colleagues and I would have enthusiastically and actively participated in the construction of bipartisan legislation to help small businesses deduct more of their startup costs. This is something I care deeply about because access to capital is one of the biggest challenges facing our entrepreneurs today. However, Democrats were shut out of the process once again as the bill was rushed to the floor. With only a few days left for Congress to be in session, the Republicans have yet to address rising healthcare costs and how to pay for innovation and value in our healthcare system. They have done nothing to stop the haphazard and reckless trade policy coming out of the White House. And this week, the Republicans are driving these so-called tax reform 2.0 bills down a road to nowhere. If they were serious about helping small businesses and innovative startups, they surely would have not treated these provisions like an afterthought to their 2017 tax bill. Therefore, I oppose H.R. 6756 and encourage my colleagues to do the same. We should work together to ensure that small businesses and innovative startups have the tools to not just survive, but actually thrive in the economy. We can do better in a fiscally responsible manner that does not recklessly add to the deficit. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to clarify something. I appreciate the comment from Chairman Buchanan regarding Mr. Thompson's amendment, but that does not change the fact that, during tax bill 2.0 and its markup, every Republican present voted against permanent natural disaster relief on H.R. 6760. Mr. Speaker, Democrats are strong believers in the power of American innovation and entrepreneurship. Democrats support small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy and create two out of every three new jobs. My Democratic colleagues and I would have loved to participate in the drafting of bipartisan legislation to help small businesses and innovative startups succeed, but that is not the process that the majority adopted. This bill, just like tax scam 1.0, has never received the scrutiny it deserves in a public committee hearing. A rushed and lopsided process resulted in the disastrous tax law. Yet, rather than learn from their mistakes, Republicans are once again rushing through legislation without the appropriate oversight. This process should tell you how serious the majority is about helping small businesses, which is not very. If the Republicans were serious about helping small businesses last year, they surely would not have enacted their so-called small business tax benefit to disguise a massive tax cut for millionaires. If Republicans were serious about helping small businesses and innovative startups today, they surely would not have treated these provisions like an afterthought, guaranteed to be dead on arrival in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I believe we should work together to ensure that small businesses, ranging from mom-and-pop shops to cutting-edge startups, have the tools they need to thrive in this economy. But we should do it the right way, with hearings and input from stakeholders, and in a fiscally responsible manner, not by saddling future Americans with more debt. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 6757, the Family Savings Act. It is outrageous that, after our markup, a provision was snuck into the bill, behind closed doors, through a manager's amendment that seeks to further an extreme anti-choice agenda and has no place in this tax bill. Chairman Brady's manager's amendment, offered behind closed doors in the Rules Committee, has added language that would allow parents to open 529 college savings accounts for unborn children. The term ``unborn children'' is defined as a child ``in utero'' at any stage of development carried in the womb. This provision is completely unnecessary because, under current law, parents are already able to open 529 savings plans for future children in their own name, and then change the name of the beneficiary after the birth of their child. The implications of this insertion, however, is serious. In the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, the Court declared that ``the word person, as used in the 14th Amendment, does not include the unborn.'' So let me say, there is no ambiguity here. This is a thinly-veiled attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court's decision by inserting the words ``unborn child'' in, of all places, the Tax Code, so that codifies in law a legal concept of the unborn child, therefore, establishing the fetus is protected separately from the mother. This is the same language that anti-choice advocates tried to insert into the GOP tax scam bill 1.0, but where the language was ultimately stripped out. At that time, a spokesperson for the anti-choice March for Life group stated that H.R. 1, the GOP tax scam bill, ``. . . we hope that this is the first step in expanding the child tax credit to include unborn children as well.'' This language is, therefore, obviously, an attempt to lay the legal groundwork to undermine a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, plain and simple. Based on this language alone, women's groups NARAL and Planned Parenthood are opposing this bill. This is nothing more than a political gimmick conducted in secret in order to score political points for Republicans trying to placate their extreme base. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this bill and vote ``no''.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chris Jeffers, a true public servant, on his retirement after a remarkable 38 years serving in local government. For the past 29 years, Chris has served as City Manager of two San Gabriel Valley cities in my district, Monterey Park and Glendora, where his leadership and dedication have made him a pillar in our communities. As City Manager of my hometown of Monterey Park for 16 years, Chris led an expansion of our library, added hundreds of new housing units for seniors and new residents, and expanded the city's business and retail space. He chaired the American Communities for Cleanup Equity, a nationwide coalition of local governments working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and coordinated development of the Greater San Gabriel Valley Community Development Corporation, a partnership of local cities and banks created to invest in small business startups. In 2007, Chris accepted the role of City Manager in nearby Glendora. During his tenure, the city was named the Los Angeles area's most business-friendly city under 65,000 residents in 2014 and was twice recognized by the Public Technology Institute for its adoption of new technologies to streamline the way that the government interacts with citizens and businesses. Glendora has even been awarded best downtown and friendliest city by the San Gabriel Newspaper Group for four years running, and a survey of local small business owners showed that over 80% found the city to be an excellent place to have a business. Chris's record speaks for itself, and he is proof of the tremendous impact that one can make through dedication to public service. I thank him for his 38 years of contributions to our communities and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I rise today to honor the life of Laura Efurd, a cherished staffer and public servant who passed away earlier this month at the age of 54 after a hard-fought battle with ampullary cancer. Laura was born on the Big Island of Hawaii, and raised both in Kona and Mililani, Hawaii. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Political Science from Ouachita Baptist University and began her career in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Assistant to former Congressman Tommy F. Robinson of Arkansas. After earning her Master's Degree in International Communications from American University, she joined the staff of the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii as her Legislative Director in 1990. During her time on Capitol Hill, Laura played an instrumental role in elevating the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She was there at the founding of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in 1994 and served as the Caucus' Principal Staff Member from 1995 to 1999 under the chairmanship of Congresswoman Patsy Mink. The Caucus began with five Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of the House and two Senators. They hailed from two states and the Pacific Island territories of American Samoa and Guam. Today, CAPAC includes a historic high of 15 Asian American and Pacific Islander House Members and three Senators who represent ten states and territories. There is no doubt that Laura's work helped to build the foundation to give us the voice that we have today. In her quiet way, she helped our Caucus to become twice as loud. Laura was also one of the founding Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association and was one of the driving forces behind the creation of an internship program for young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to pursue careers in public service. She left Capitol Hill in 1999, when she was appointed by President William Clinton, first to the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, and then as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House's Office of Public Liaison. During her time in the Clinton administration, Laura was instrumental in the creation of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which created a coordinated voice within the White House and federal agencies to address issues of critical concern to our American communities. Outside government service, she joined the executive leadership of ZeroDivide--an organization based in California dedicated to increasing economic and educational opportunities, expanding civic engagement and access to technology, and improving health care for low-income and underserved communities. She later returned to the U.S. Congress and most recently served as a trusted aide to Senator Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii, where she managed the daily operations in Senator Hirono's Honolulu State Office. Laura also served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission Consumer Advisory Committee, the Center for Women's Policy Studies, and as Chair of the Governor of California's Task Force on Broadband, Community Development, and Public/Private Partnerships. In all of these roles, she worked tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless. Her desire to help and uplift others remained a central focus throughout her career. Laura's friends often recount they had a very clear picture of her intelligence, her kindness, and her concern for others--as well as the steel in her spine. They also say she was one of the best listeners they have ever known. She never focused on promoting herself. Instead, she worked behind the scenes to ensure that others had a seat at the table and dedicated her life's work to helping people find their voices. Those were the battles she loved winning. Even though Laura did not seek the spotlight, she was truly a force of nature who made a lasting impression on the lives she touched. I know that her legacy will live on through her family and friends, as well as the institutions she helped to create and shape throughout her career. The Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus join Laura's family and friends both in mourning her loss and celebrating the historic contributions of a truly great American.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 6311, which, contrary to its name, would do very little to help Americans access quality healthcare coverage. Instead, it would force families to accept low-quality, catastrophic health plans, or junk coverage, that does not meet healthcare needs and leaves ordinary Americans to foot the bill when something goes wrong. What does a catastrophic and high-deductible plan mean? Well, it is a disaster for many. Recent studies have shown that 40 percent of Americans cannot afford even a $400 emergency expense, let alone the thousands of dollars necessary for a medical emergency, which could happen to any of us, but that is the plan Republicans are offering. Americans would get a plan that is substandard. No one wants to have health coverage that doesn't actually cover much at all. What is more, these catastrophic and high-deductible health plans are especially harmful to women. Since 50 percent of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, many parents in these plans will not have saved enough to cover these high deductibles or unexpected costs. Furthermore, most pregnancies last 9 months and, thus, span more than one plan year. That means during the course of a single pregnancy, a mother in one of these plans would have to hit her deductible twice. Maternity care services without complications can average around $10,000 per pregnancy. What would happen in a pregnancy with complications? The Affordable Care Act was passed so that we could move away from junk plans that offered nothing in terms of coverage and left people with thousands of dollars in medical debt. This bill is just another attempt to undermine the ACA, and we cannot go back.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 119. This resolution is nothing more than an election year stunt by Republicans to distract from the growing list of issues they failed to address this Congress. Let me be clear: This vote is a sham. If Republicans truly wanted to debate the merits of a carbon tax, they would allow the Ways and Means Committee to hold hearings with expert testimony and robust discussion. In fact, multiple members of our committee have already introduced bills that tackle the ever-pressing issue of climate change, which is impacting the health and well-being of American families and future generations more and more each day. This is not just a Democratic concern either. There is even a Republican carbon tax bill expected to be introduced in the coming days. Instead, here we are, wasting what little time we have left this Congress, debating a pointless resolution while there are urgent problems waiting to be resolved. Congress should be passing legislation to address the double-digit increases in healthcare premiums caused by the repeal of the individual mandate by the GOP tax scam or reuniting immigrant children with their parents. The fact is, Mr. Speaker, this vote is a wasted opportunity and just another example of Republicans placing political expedience over regular order. As a member of both the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, I would love to participate in a real debate about how we can address climate change. My constituents are clamoring for us to act. But if Republicans are going to continue to ignore and deny the existence of this crisis, the least they can do here, in Congress, is to use this time to legislate, not electioneer.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. James Bok Wong, who passed away on May 25, 2018 at the age of 96. Dr. Wong was a lifelong leader in his community, an immigrant, a businessman, and a veteran. Dr. Wong was born in Canton, China in 1922. After immigrating to the United States in 1938, he served with the famous Flying Tigers Air Corps, the first American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force during World War II. Following his service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland under the G.I. bill, and went on to earn both a Master of Science and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. An entrepreneur and businessman, Dr. Wong rose to become a distinguished figure in the biochemical industry. He served as chief economist and director of international technologies for Dart Industries, and founded his own company, James B. Wong Associates, Inc., through which he licensed U.S. technologies to spearhead the dairy industry in China. In 1971, Dr. Wong founded the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Foundation to support the growing Chinese American community in Los Angeles. The foundation has provided educational and leadership opportunities to countless young people and played a key role in encouraging civic engagement. Dr. Wong was also a longtime leader in the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, serving as national marshal, president, and a member of the board of directors. Recognized with an L.A. Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 1977, Dr. Wong later received a History Makers Leadership Award by the Chinese American Museum in 2014. Dr. Wong leaves behind an enduring legacy of dedication and service to his country and his community. He is an inspiration to all those who knew him and it is my honor to commemorate his life.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this cruel, anti-immigrant bill. This bill is so bad, they even want to destroy legal immigration to this country. For decades, our immigration laws were discriminatory, favoring Nordic and Western Europeans, restricting Italians and Jews, and banning the Chinese completely. Finally, in 1965, during the civil rights era, Senator Ted Kennedy ushered in a fair immigration system based on family reunification. Because this system brings families together, immigrant households are less likely to rely on public benefits. And immigrants are also buying homes and starting businesses at a faster rate. But now, with this bill, Republicans are trying to undo that progress and make America White again. Worse, they are tearing families apart to do this. While Trump and Republicans are ripping parents from children at the border, they are trying to do the same through our immigration laws. This war on families must stop.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, today, I brought with me two young people: Alcides Guandique, age 11, and Jose Guandique, age 13. When I look at them, I think of 2 days ago when I visited the Trump detention center at the southern border in San Diego with Members and Leader Pelosi. There we saw children torn from the arms of their parents under Trump's zero-tolerance policy. We talked to the kids. We talked to the mental health counselors who told us that children are traumatized. Most of them have come here with their parents because they were threatened with murder and rape by gangs in Central America and Mexico. But because of Trump's policy of separation, these children have lost the one constant person in their lives. As a psychologist, I took note when the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics visited detained kids. She said that, normally, kids like this are rambunctious and running around. But these kids are either screaming or crying or permanently quiet, and, in fact, that kind of toxic stress can permanently affect their brains. There is only one way to describe it: government-sanctioned child abuse. President Trump must own up to the policy that is his and his only. He has the power to stop this terrible cruelty. Instead, he is using these kids as a bargaining chip for $25 billion for a border wall. It is time for him to stop. Stop ripping children from the arms of their parents. America is better than this. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42,000 Americans died from opioid-related drug overdoses in 2016. That is five times more than the overdose rate in 1999. As we have heard from countless Members in this Chamber, there is no congressional district that hasn't been impacted by the opioid crisis. No town or city is immune from the devastating impact of addiction, and I hope that the steps we take today are the first of many to address the needs of our communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, estimated that in 2016, 11.8 million Americans over the age of 12 had misused opioids in the past year and 3.8 million were currently misusing prescription pain relievers. But while we are seeing news reports of the devastating toll this crisis is taking on our Nation's young people, it is important to note that our seniors are also suffering. From 2005 to 2014, individuals 65 years and older experienced an 85 percent cumulative increase in opioid-related inpatient stays and a 112 percent cumulative increase in emergency department visits, the largest increase of any age group. Compared to other age groups, individuals 65 and older have the highest rate of opioid-related inpatient stays in 13 States, including my home State of California. This crisis is especially acute for the nonelderly Medicare population. In 2015, nonelderly Medicare beneficiaries, or those who qualify on the basis of disability, had opioid utilization rates more than twice that of elderly beneficiaries. The bill before us, H.R. 6110, contains numerous provisions aimed at improving access to treatment for Medicare beneficiaries suffering from opioid use disorders, including access to nondrug opioid alternatives. While every alternative will not work for every person, when dealing with a crisis of this magnitude, I believe that we must use every tool in the toolbox. This bill contains two bipartisan provisions I authored with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski) for working with me on language that would direct CMS to study barriers to patient access to nondrug alternatives for opioids in chronic care settings. Studies conducted by the NIH have concluded that alternative treatments, like acupuncture, can be effective in treating conditions like chronic pain. This issue is very important to me, because I have been working to expand access to acupuncture since I first arrived in the California State legislature many years ago. I have heard firsthand what a difference acupuncture can make in the lives of patients. I remember very clearly when I heard the testimony of a woman who had severe back pain, but did not want invasive surgery and risk possible addiction to morphine. Instead, she sought acupuncture, and it worked for her. She avoided the risks associated with surgery and certain pain medications. Furthermore, we know access to physical and occupational therapy also helps alleviate pain and eliminates the need for an opioid prescription. By asking CMS to examine where barriers to these alternatives exist, we can open the door to more treatment alternatives for beneficiaries. I am also proud that this bill includes a provision I authored with the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Noem) to address the need for more psychologists in the Medicare program. This bill would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to examine ways for beneficiaries to familiarize themselves with coverage for psychologist services and request a study from the General Accountability Office on the viability of mental and behavioral health services in the Medicare program. As one of only two psychologists in Congress, I firmly believe that expanding access to psychologist services in Medicare is one of the most important things we can do to improve the mental health of our senior population. We know that those who suffer from depression or other mental health disorders are particularly vulnerable to addiction. For those who have already taken the incredibly difficult step of seeking treatment, we need to ensure that they have access to the full range of mental health professionals who can support them on the journey to recovery. H.R. 6110 also contains a number of provisions from my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. Congress Members Levin and Marchant authored a provision to review certain Medicare payments in outpatient settings to determine whether there are financial incentives in the Medicare program to use or prescribe opioids instead of evidence-based, nonopioid alternatives. Next, the legislation includes a provision introduced by Congress Members Sanchez and Roskam that would direct the Secretary of HHS to evaluate the extent to which Medicare Advantage programs offer medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, and cover nonopioid alternative treatments not otherwise covered under traditional Medicare as part of a supplemental benefit. Finally, this bill would also include a provision from Congress Members Danny Davis and Rothfus that would provide grants to federally qualified centers and rural health clinics to help offset the cost of training providers to become certified in dispensing medications for opioid abuse dependence. While the provisions in the bills before us this afternoon will certainly move us in the right direction, we cannot stop here. For example, the Medicaid program pays for the majority of mental health and substance abuse treatments in this country and, yet, we see multiple attempts by Republicans over the past 4 years to slash this program. We must maintain protections for those with preexisting conditions so that those who sought treatment for their addiction disorders are not punished for trying to get sober. We must maintain the progress we have made with the Affordable Care Act and work together to bring down the premiums for American families so that, should they need coverage for mental health counseling or substance abuse treatment, no one is shut out because of how much money they make or what State they live in. So I hope that today represents the first step, and I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will continue to work with us to invest in prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts all across the country. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged to see my colleagues on the other side of the aisle turn their attention to this critical issue. But this is not a new problem, and the coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act have been among the most significant steps the Federal Government has taken to stem the tide of the opioid crisis. And yet, Republicans in Congress and President Trump have actively worked to repeal this landmark law. The Medicaid expansion and the increased coverage under the individual market have provided millions of Americans access to health insurance, and research has shown that Medicaid expansion States have seen a greater reduction in deaths from opioids than nonexpansion States. Again, Medicaid is the biggest payer for substance use disorder treatment in this country. We simply can't afford to go back. As we discuss this crisis today and in the week to come, we must broaden our understanding of the ways in which we, as a Nation, approach chronic pain. That is exactly what H.R. 6110 does. While there will always be patients who have a legitimate need for these medications, we need to look beyond a system where an opioid prescription is the automatic default. This means we need to look to alternative methods of treating pain, whether it be acupuncture or physical therapy or a medical device. It means we must examine existing policies that may have inadvertently incentivized opioid prescribing practices. But as much as we look forward, we must also address the crisis in front of us. So I am thrilled to see provisions in this bill that would study Medicare Advantage plans already doing groundbreaking work in substance abuse disorder treatment. I am also glad to see that this bill provides direct resources to the front lines in the form of grants for federally qualified health centers to provide additional training for our providers. I hope that, in the future, we will work to expand access to alternatives, both within the Medicare program and in the broader population, and ensure that no matter where someone lives or what kind of insurance coverage they have, they are able to seek treatment. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6110, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I offer my support for H.R. 5774, the COACH Act, which was introduced by Congress Members DelBene and Curbelo. This bill focuses specifically on provider education and would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop a toolkit that provides best practices to hospitals for reducing opioid use. Every year, approximately 51 million Americans undergo inpatient surgery each year, and 80 percent of those patients receive opioids to treat postsurgical pain after a low-risk surgery. This is an alarming number, as studies have found that an opioid prescription at discharge is an independent risk factor for chronic opioid use. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 10 percent of patients who are prescribed opioids for long-term use develop an opioid use disorder. This was the case with my constituent Ryan Hampton, who was a promising young college student when he broke his knee in a hiking accident and received an opioid prescription at discharge. Ryan fell hard into addiction, eventually turning to heroin and becoming homeless. While Ryan has beaten the odds and is now a national advocate for those in recovery from addiction, many are not so lucky. So it is with people like Ryan in mind that I support this bill today. We should be giving our providers every tool possible to help them battle the opioid crisis and, hopefully, change behavior in such a way as to limit unnecessary opioid prescriptions. In my district, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control program has worked with hospitals, plans, cities and providers to develop a 5-year strategic plan to address the opioid crisis in our country. We know that not every hospital has the resources or ability to develop such a plan. By providing a centralized toolkit available to all hospitals, under-resourced providers will have the best access to best practices that have helped communities combat the opioid epidemic. With so many individuals first experiencing opioids via a hospital procedure, it is critical that we give our providers every resource they need to make the best medical decisions for their patients while reducing the number of opioid prescriptions overall. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I offer my support of H.R. 5775, the PROPER Act. This bill, introduced by my colleagues Representatives Paulsen and Kind, would require Medicare Advantage and Medicare part D plans to provide information to beneficiaries on the risks associated with prolonged opioid use, as well as coverage information about alternatives, like nonpharmacological therapies, devices, and nonopioid medications. It is important to ensure that our providers in hospitals and outpatient settings have up-to-date and accurate information about opioid use. But it is equally critical that this information is provided to beneficiaries. Additionally, providing information on coverage of alternative therapies could help beneficiaries who may want to try a nonopioid pain management therapy to do so, thus avoiding a prescription where it may not be necessary. This bill also requires that by January 1, 2019, all pain-related questions be removed from the hospital consumer assessment of healthcare providers and systems survey, with some exceptions. If hospitals are graded on how much pain patients are feeling, they likely would seek to minimize the patient's pain through pain management drugs like opioids. In order to properly address this crisis in the Medicare program, we must ensure that beneficiaries have the information necessary to make informed decisions about their pain management plan. Madam Speaker, just as we are working to improve provider education, we must not leave our Medicare beneficiaries behind. I support this bill because it would ensure that Medicare Advantage and Medicare part D plans provide their beneficiaries with information on the risks of prolonged opioid use, as well as information about coverage for alternatives for pain management. Earlier in this debate, I mentioned a woman who testified that although she was experiencing severe back pain, she did not want to risk taking addictive pain medication and instead turned to acupuncture. It worked for her, and she told me that because of her acupuncture treatment, she was able to live pain free. Now, this is not to say that every alternative will work for every patient, but we should give patients the ability to choose their own pain management therapy. I believe H.R. 5775 is an important step toward this goal. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Our country is truly facing a crisis when it comes to opioids, and the Medicare population isn't immune from this. We must be careful in our approach and ensure that the policies we enact in Congress don't leave out those who have a legitimate medical need for these medications, like those with cancer, those in hospice, or those with genetic conditions like sickle cell disease. H.R. 5773 is a modest step in the right direction, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on ways to address the opioid crisis within the Medicare program. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 5773, the PASS Act, introduced by Congress Members Sewell and Roskam. This bill focuses on policies to help Medicare plans prevent opioid use in the Medicare program without limiting access to needed medications for our seniors. First, H.R. 5773 requires that Medicare prescription drug plans establish mandatory lock-in programs for seniors who are at risk of opioid overuse. These programs curb fraud, abuse, and misuse of prescribed medications, while at the same time ensuring that seniors who have legitimate need of these medications can access them. For example, these controls prevent doctor and pharmacy shopping and will prevent duplicative and medically inappropriate drug therapies that can lead to prescription drug abuse. This bill would also require that any beneficiaries who are at risk for opioid overuse be eligible for the benefits provided under the Medication Therapy Management Program. This program helps patients understand all of their medications and how they are working together. It allows a pharmacist or other health professional to give beneficiaries a comprehensive review of all of their medications and talk to them about any interactions, risks, or side effects. This bill would also include a provision introduced by Representatives Mike Thompson and David Schweikert that would streamline the electronic prior authorization system, which is meant to ensure that certain drugs are covered by an insurer before the drug is dispensed. The PASS Act also includes a provision introduced by Representatives Sewell and Renacci which streamlines communications between the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Medicare part C and D plans regarding program integrity. Finally, H.R. 5773 would direct the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to annually notify Medicare part D prescribers who are identified as outlier prescribers compared to their colleagues in their specialty and region. This has certain exclusions, for example, patients receiving hospice care, but will be used to help prescribers, who may not realize that they are an outlier, to reevaluate their practices and make adjustments before any harm is done. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 5676, the SENIOR Communities Protection Act. The Affordable Care Act granted the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to suspend payments to Medicare's part A and B providers pending investigations into credible allegations of fraud or abuse. The SENIOR Communities Protection Act would grant that same authority to Medicare part D plans. This bill would only allow plans to suspend these payments if doing so would not cause an access or network adequacy problem for the beneficiaries served by the pharmacies or hinder any law enforcement efforts. This change would give Medicare an additional tool to help crack down on bad actors who put seniors at risk. For example, this could help plans and Medicare crack down on the practice of pill dumping, where a small pharmacy receives millions of opioid pills from a distributor that far exceeds the population of patients it serves. In one case, it was found that a single small town pharmacy received the equivalent of more than 9,000 pills per resident over the course of a decade. In another case, an opioid distributor shipped 9 million pills to a town of 406 residents over just a 2-year period. That is an average of 717 pills per person per year. While opioid distributors are required to report suspicious activity, congressional investigations have revealed that distributors did not perform sufficient oversight of these shipments. As our communities are flooded with these drugs, it is important that Medicare plans have the ability to stop the bad actors when they are identified. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.