Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3663) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to delay the date on which the accreditation requirement under the Medicare Program applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment that are pharmacies.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. 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.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Presently under Medicare, pharmacies supply Medicare beneficiaries with durable medical equipment, or DME, such as canes, crutches and diabetes testing strips. Pharmacists not only provide access to these items but also provide critical services, such as counseling on patient compliance and adherence, which often results in improved health outcomes. In spite of the important and positive role that many pharmacists play in the Medicare DME program, in the past there has been a lot of fraud and abuse that has occurred in the world of DME supply. Accordingly, Congress stepped in and imposed new requirements on DME suppliers that would help rout out fraud, waste and abuse. One of the requirements is to require suppliers of durable medical equipment to obtain quality accreditation by October 1, 2009, or this Thursday, tomorrow. Requiring DME suppliers to be accredited would help ensure that the integrity of the Medicare program is protected and makes sure that beneficiaries have access to quality services and supplies. Unfortunately, as pharmacists have tried to comply with this new requirement, those charged with providing accreditation have been unable to keep up with the demand. Accordingly, a backlog of applications now exists, and there is little hope of having them completed by this week's deadline. If we do nothing, Mr. Speaker, countless pharmacies across the country will be left in limbo, possibly causing problems for beneficiaries seeking to access the DME supplies that they need. Congress should do everything it can to avoid this kind of disruption. The health reform bill provides some relief in this area, but its details are still being worked out. That's why I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense measure which will temporarily delay the accreditation requirement from taking effect. Congress can fine-tune the health care reform legislation to address any remaining problems after January 1, which is the new deadline. I want to thank my colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Space of Ohio, for spearheading this effort, as well as Representatives Jo Ann Emerson, Marion Berry and Jerry Moran. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Space), who is the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to mention that my colleague Mr. Stark, from the Ways and Means Committee, wanted to speak in favor of this bill but was unable to be here. I also neglected to thank Mr. Terry, who was the lead Republican sponsor of the legislation. I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 692) supporting the goals and ideals of Tay- Sachs Awareness Month, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. 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.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 692, supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness Month. Tay-Sachs disease is a very rare genetic disorder that leads to the destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is prevalent in Ashkenazi Jews, French Canadians, Louisianan Cajuns, and Irish Americans. One in 250 Americans are carriers of the disease. If both parents are carriers, there's a one in four chance that a child born will suffer from Tay-Sachs. This is a terrible and unforgiving disease that strikes so early in life the victims don't have much of a chance. As young as 6 months old, children start presenting symptoms. They stop developing and start losing motor and mental skills, ultimately leading to paralysis and death. There's no treatment that can stop the progression of this disease. There's no cure. Because of this, Tay-Sachs is always fatal. Most children do not survive past the age of 4. Prevention is the only remedy, and that can be accomplished through education and information. A simple blood test can indicate if a person is a carrier. With this knowledge, parents can be better prepared and aware of the chances that they have a child with this terrible disease. The resolution before us today supports heightened awareness about and increased research on this disease. I'd like to thank my colleague, Representative Arcuri, for his work in raising this important issue. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I, too, have no additional speakers, so I would yield back the balance of my time and ask for passage.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 314) honoring and saluting Hillerich & Bradsby Co. on the 125th anniversary of the Louisville Slugger.

Mr. PALLONE. 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.

Mr. PALLONE. Having no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 314, honoring and saluting Hillerich & Bradsby Co. on the 125th anniversary of the Louisville Slugger. Louisville Slugger, as the company is more commonly known, is widely considered an American icon, with a long and treasured record throughout baseball history. But Hillerich & Bradsby Co. began as a little-known small business, just like many small businesses in America today. Only after many years of dedication and refined work did the Louisville Slugger become the cherished bat of countless Americans. Since its inception, Hillerich & Bradsby has produced approximately 100 million Louisville Sluggers, and currently makes roughly 1.8 million bats a year. Today, the Louisville Slugger is the official bat of Major League Baseball and is used by 60 percent of today's Major League Baseball players. It has also been used by 80 percent of all National Baseball Hall of Fame hitters such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron. It's virtually impossible to witness a ball game and not see a Louisville Slugger bat in use. I'm pleased to join my colleagues today in congratulating Hillerich & Bradsby Co. on the 125th anniversary of the Louisville Slugger. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I was watching the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, and I was pleased to see that they were moving along in adopting health care reform and in moving it out of committee. It couldn't be too soon. The bottom line is that we've heard more reports about how more and more people have no insurance in this country and that insurance is increasingly becoming unaffordable. I know that the Democrats in both the House and the Senate and, hopefully, some Republicans, are moving forward with health care reform. We are trying to get it done by the end of this year, and it really is important. People need to have affordable insurance. They need to have choices. I think we need a strong public option as well because that will create competition with private insurance. It will bring down costs, and it will allow more people to find affordable insurance. The problem is not getting any better. It's getting worse every day, and health insurance reform needs to be done here in the House, in the Senate, and it needs to be sent to the President as quickly as possible so we can deal with this major problem that we face in this country. I would like to see it done in a bipartisan way.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3631) to amend title XVIII to provide for the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 2010.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act of 2009, of which I am an original cosponsor. Unless Congress acts quickly, millions of America's seniors will find themselves with a smaller Social Security check at a time when they are already stretching every dollar they have. If we don't act today, 27 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will see their part B premium increase from $96 to $110 or $120. That's potentially a 25 percent increase in their Medicare part B premiums when they're getting no increase in their Social Security COLA. It won't just be Medicare beneficiaries who are harmed either. Cash- strapped States will also feel a pinch if we don't act. Most of those impacted by the possible premium increases are dual-eligibles, or those beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid because they may have low incomes. Their premium increases will have to be paid for by States as part of their Medicaid programs. As we all know, States across the Nation are facing large budget deficits and are being forced to slash critical services and increase taxes. This simply is not the time that the Federal Government should be shifting more costs to States who are simply unable to absorb it. Mr. Speaker, even though this is an emergency situation, we have found a way to make sure that the bill is completely paid for and does not add one dime to the deficit. It is imperative that Congress act today in order to make sure that every Medicare beneficiary is financially protected and is able to afford the Medicare services he or she deserves. I once again urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill. Please vote ``yes.'' Vote to protect America's seniors. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman.