Val Demings

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, throughout my 27 years of law enforcement experience, I protected and served my community, and I stand here today to protect the most vulnerable of seniors in central Florida, and seniors all around this Nation. We have a responsibility to see that seniors are not put in a position where they will have to choose between buying food or buying their medication, which was the case before the Affordable Care Act. We must resist all efforts to reopen the Medicare part D prescription drug coverage doughnut hole. This doughnut hole required seniors to pay full price for their prescription drugs after they reach their catastrophic threshold. Research found, because of this doughnut hole, seniors would put their health at risk because they could not afford to pay the prescriptions, which ultimately lead to higher healthcare costs. Because of the Affordable Care Act, this doughnut hole is being completely phased out of the Medicare part D prescription drug program by the year 2020. Since the ACA passed in 2010, closing the doughnut hole has saved our seniors more than $23.5 billion on their prescription drugs. We know this is working. Florida seniors enrolled in the program are now saving an average of $987 a year because of closing the loophole. We know what $987 means to the average senior on Medicare. We also know that if these coverage gap discounts disappeared, part D enrollees would have to pay $3,725 for the time period they are in the doughnut hole. This $3,725 represents nearly 15 percent of a Medicare enrollee's income. With too many Floridians and seniors across the Nation struggling to make ends meet, I strongly believe that Congress can do more to make sure we do not go backwards and reopen this doughnut hole. No one should ever have to choose between food or medicine. I urge my colleagues to consider the livelihood and dignity of our most vulnerable seniors and vote for my amendment to protect access to affordable prescription drugs for older Americans. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of Master Sergeant Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department and Deputy Norm Lewis of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. As the former Orlando police chief, I had the honor of knowing both Sergeant Clayton and Deputy Lewis. Sergeant Clayton was violently murdered while responding to a call this morning. Deputy Lewis was killed while responding to a scene during the search for the suspect. As we recognize Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we mourn the deaths of these two public servants. Sergeant Clayton was a fine officer, wife, and mother. She was 42 years young, and had just celebrated her first anniversary with her husband. Deputy Lewis was deeply admired by all of his colleagues. He loved helping people, and it showed in his work. He was just 35. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask all Members to join me in observing a moment of silence to honor and remember these heroes during this difficult time.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. ``The Congress may determine the time of chusing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.''