Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4351, the Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024. I thank Mrs. Chavez-DeRemer, the sponsor of H.R. 7251, the House bill passed unanimously by the Energy and Commerce Committee. We applaud her leadership on this important bill and on the reauthorization of this program. The Poison Control Network Program supports local poison centers to ensure that they can provide 24/7 access to specially trained providers, physicians, or toxicology experts, to provide guidance on possible poisoning and toxic exposures. This reauthorization will help continue to provide resources for the Poison Help Line, which is a toll-free number for people to access trained experts. It also renews funding for a nationwide media campaign to spread awareness for the Poison Help Line and disseminate best practices for poison prevention. In fiscal year 2021, the most common poisonings reported were related to medications such as nonprescription fentanyl. This category is the most common poisoning that resulted in death for both adults and children. In fact, children under the age of 6 were involved in almost half of all calls to local poison centers. Poison centers play a critical role in helping to curb the rates of poisonings and toxic exposures. Reauthorizing this program will ensure local centers receive the resources they need to educate their communities and be available to help patients in need. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a subcommittee chair on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7406) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research, training, and investigation related to Down syndrome, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7406, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2024, which I have led alongside my colleagues Diana DeGette, Tom Cole, Rosa DeLauro, Pete Stauber, and Eleanor Holmes Norton. As many know, one of my primary missions here in Congress has been to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. It is deeply personal to me. Our son, Cole, was born with that extra 21st chromosome, and for the past 17 years, I have seen the world through his eyes. It has made me a better mom and a better legislator. When the INCLUDE Project was established in 2018, Down syndrome was among one of the least studied and funded genetic conditions at NIH despite being the most common chromosome abnormality, affecting 1 in every 700 babies. Individuals with Down syndrome also have an increased risk of common diseases and medical conditions, such as cardiac issues, autoimmune conditions, and an early onset Alzheimer's-type dementia, which means the value of this research is hardly limited to the Down syndrome community. It has the potential to provide benefits to millions of people battling other conditions, as well. The INCLUDE Project has made great strides, funding over 200 research awards, producing at least 600 publications, and helping to coordinate Down syndrome research and resources at over 20 institutes and centers. H.R. 7406 will help us take Down syndrome research to new heights and usher in a new era of breakthroughs to ensure that every person with Down syndrome and their families have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), the dad of Isaac, most importantly.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6033) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to improve access to health care information technology for non-English speakers, as amended.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6033, the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act, or SPEAK Act, of 2024, led by Congresswoman Michelle Steel. Mrs. Steel's legislation will make telehealth more accessible for patients with limited English proficiency. Telehealth became widely used during the COVID-19 public health emergency with as many as one in four Medicare beneficiaries utilizing the platform. In 2022, Congress further extended the availability of telehealth services through the end of this year. I believe that telehealth technology can, in some cases, help seniors access care in a timelier fashion, keeping them healthier and, in some cases, avoid costly complications from delayed treatment. As Congress considers further extensions of telehealth flexibilities, this bill will ensure more seniors with limited English language proficiency can still benefit from telehealth. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel), who is the leader of this legislation.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 265) to reauthorize the rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program, and for other purposes.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 265, the SIREN Reauthorization Act. EMS agencies play a critical role within our healthcare system, especially in rural areas where they may be the only provider for miles. More than half of rural EMS agencies are staffed solely by volunteers and oftentimes must raise their own funds just to continue operating. The SIREN Reauthorization Act would continue vital resources for the Rural Emergency Medical Services Training program, which helps support local EMS agencies with recruitment and training efforts as well as purchasing equipment, including overdose reversal medication. First responders are on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and must be able to properly acquire and administer overdose reversal medications to help save lives and prevent overdose deaths. Reauthorizing this program is crucial to help bolster the rural health workforce. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7858) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Medicare incident to modifier for mental health services furnished through telehealth, as amended.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7858, the Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024, led by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. James), a valuable member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Speaker, Mr. James' legislation will put in place program integrity measures so that we can better understand the extent to which telehealth is working for patients on Medicare. Over the past several years, telehealth has proven itself to be a vital way for patients to access care, especially in rural communities. Telehealth services are still being used widely among Medicare beneficiaries compared to prepandemic levels. Evaluation and management services, such as doctors' visits and following up to imaging, have accounted for nearly all of telehealth spending in Medicare. As Congress works to continue allowing seniors to access telehealth through Medicare, this bill will implement a key recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general to increase transparency and allow more detailed data collection on types of providers performing telehealth services. This will help ensure Medicare beneficiaries are not just benefiting from expanded access and quality care, but the best value these technologies have to offer. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, September 11, 2024. Hon. Jason Smith, Chair, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC. Dear Chair Smith: I write regarding H.R. 7858, the ``TELEMH Act of 2024,'' which was referred in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means. I ask that the Committee forgo action on the bill so that it may be scheduled for consideration on the House floor. This concession would in no way affect the Committee's jurisdiction over the subject matter of the bill. In addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I would support the Committee's request for conferees on the conference committee. Finally, I would be pleased to include this letter and your response in the Congressional Record during debate on the bill. Thank you for your consideration of my request and for the extraordinary cooperation shown by you and your staff over matters of shared jurisdiction. I look forward to further opportunities to work with you this Congress. Sincerely, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. James).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I was absent during yesterday's final vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 397.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.