Joseph Pitts

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Ellmers), another member of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire on the time remaining for both sides?

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, congressional Democrats constantly say that the ACA is not a perfect bill, and that they want to make changes. If they are sincere about that statement, they should join us in supporting H.R. 3522, a bill that received bipartisan support at Energy and Commerce to protect American workers who will lose their plan under the Affordable Care Act. Thirty-nine Democrats joined us last year and voted for a similar bill to let Americans keep their plan in the individual market. We should work together to provide that very same protection to the tens of millions of American workers who depend on employer-sponsored health coverage. Last fall, millions of Americans all across the country had their health plans canceled, despite repeated promises from the President and his allies in Congress that if you liked your health care plan, you would be able to keep it. And so, in the fall of 2013, health plan cancelations were concentrated in the individual market. Sadly, millions of Americans with employer-sponsored coverage, group plans, will also face plan cancelations because of the Affordable Care Act. And some experts have testified before the Energy and Commerce Committee that approximately 50 million young American workers with fully insured coverage face plan cancelations or disruptions because of ACA requirements and regulations. Forbes warned last year, and I will quote: ``Starting in October 2014, many employees of small businesses will start getting the same notices that are now being mailed to individuals, informing that their existing health plans are also being canceled.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, Americans rightly feel misled by the President, by congressional Democrats. Their false assurance that Americans could keep their health care plan was recognized as the 2013 ``Lie of the Year.'' So, we have this legislation before us this year to apply to the group plans. As long as they were in existence in 2013, they could be available today. And I urge Members to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The President not only made a promise that, if you liked your doctor you could keep your doctor, he said, if you liked your health care plan, you could keep your health care plan no matter what--period. He also promised reductions in premiums of $2,500 per family. Americans are not seeing the $2,500 reduction in premiums that the President promised under the ACA. Instead, Americans are seeing higher premiums and deductibles under the President's health care law. Some of the premium increases are outrageous, and the deductibles--I don't know how a family could save the $10,000 to $15,000 for their deductibles that some of them are telling us they are going to have. In fact, the administration's own actuaries have confirmed that premiums are going up under the ACA. Earlier this year, actuaries from CMS estimated that 65 percent of small businesses will see premium increases under the Affordable Care Act. Middle class Americans working for these 11 million small businesses will see higher premiums, meaning less take- home pay for working Americans. The American people want real health care reform, but the ACA is making things worse. The President's health care law has led to canceled health care plans, fewer choices, higher premiums, and higher deductibles for middle class families. Ultimately, the law needs to be replaced with better solutions that lower costs and provide better health care choices. However, let's be clear about what H.R. 3522 actually does. The bill does not repeal the ACA. We have heard the mantra of how many 50-some votes there have been to repeal. Instead, this bill simply lets American workers keep their health care plans, and it expands coverage options. Congressional Democrats constantly say that they want to change the parts of the ACA that don't work. If they are sincere about that pledge, they should join us in supporting H.R. 3522. This is a bipartisan bill to protect American workers who will lose their plans under the health care law. As I said last year when we had a similar bill for the individual market cancelations, 39 Democrats joined us and voted for that bill to let Americans keep their plans in the individual market. Congress should work together to provide the same protection to the millions of American workers with group coverage, and that is what the Employee Health Care Protection Act does. Families, not Washington, should decide if they want to keep their health care plans. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, so I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3522. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today is important and necessary legislation to bring greater clarity to the requirements for the safe and secure distribution and dispensing of controlled substances to combat the abuse of prescription drugs. H.R. 4709, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, introduced by my colleagues, Representative Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Peter Welch of Vermont, and Judy Chu of California, will facilitate greater collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators in an effort to combat our Nation's prescription drug abuse epidemic. Safeguarding our prescription drug supply chain is important to protect against diversion and abuse of prescription medicines. H.R. 4709 will clarify key terminology in the Controlled Substances Act to give registrants a better understanding of their responsibilities under the law. Further, the bill will allow DEA-registered companies to submit corrective action plans to address potential violations in the absence of an imminent danger, creating a more robust and meaningful dialogue about addressing drug diversion. That should in turn curtail unnecessary supply chain disruptions that adversely affect patient access to much-needed medications. Additionally, the legislation requires that a report be submitted to Congress by the Secretary of HHS in consultation with the DEA and other government and industry stakeholders about how collaboration between enforcement agencies and industry can benefit patients and prevent diversion and abuse. Equally important, H.R. 4709 will improve enforcement efforts regarding the complex and challenging problem of prescription drug diversion and abuse. It will ensure patient access to necessary medications by creating a more collaborative partnership between drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and Federal enforcement and oversight agencies such as DEA and the FDA. After hearings last April in the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which I chair, we heard that a more feasible and practical solution to this serious problem of drug diversion and abuse is attainable, and those provisions are included in H.R. 4709. The legislation is supported by the National Community Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, as well as the Alliance to Prevent the Abuse of Medicines, among others. I would like to acknowledge and thank my good friend, Congressman Tom Marino, for his excellent work with this legislation. My friend from Pennsylvania is a former district attorney and former U.S. attorney. He understands the importance of law enforcement in this area. But he also understands that we will be more effective if we proceed in a collaborative, communicative, and transparent fashion. He has done excellent work here. Mr. Speaker, by approving this legislation, we will be giving our Nation's law enforcement additional tools while protecting our patients and securing our drug supply chain in a reasonable, commonsense way. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and vote for H.R. 4709. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, July 28, 2014. Hon. Fred Upton, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Upton: On June 10, 2014, the Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered reported H.R. 4709, the ``Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2014.'' As you know, the Committee on the Judiciary was given an additional referral on this measure upon introduction. As a result of your having consulted with the Judiciary Committee concerning provisions of the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary from further consideration of H.R. 4709. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H.R. 4709 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward. Our committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation, and requests your support for any such request. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 4709, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), vice chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and another leader on this issue.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4709) to improve enforcement efforts related to prescription drug diversion and abuse, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Marino), the leader on this issue.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, for over five decades now, the Chinese Communist Party has ruled Tibet harshly and has treated the Tibetan people with great disdain. The current regime says that Tibet is open to all visitors, but the truth is that actual access is highly restricted and is subject to arbitrary closures. It is difficult for tourists to access the region, and it is almost impossible for journalists and diplomats to get in to report on conditions. When Chinese officials get visas to the U.S., they are not kept out of certain States or cities. They are free to travel our Nation, as are Chinese tourists and reporters. It is time that the Chinese Government lives up to its word and allows access to Tibet, not only for Americans, but for the many religious pilgrims from nations around the world. I am a proud cosponsor of Congressman McGovern's bill, H.R. 4851, the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2014. The bill restricts access to America for those Chinese Government officials who are responsible for blocking travel to Tibet. This is a matter of basic fairness and is critical to ensuring that human rights are protected in Tibet.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following: [From the Christian News Network, Feb. 6, 2014] (By Heather Clark) West Chester, PA.--A baby boy was recently born in Pennsylvania after his life was spared from abortion through a miraculous series of events. Baby Roman was 18 weeks gestation when his parents went to Planned Parenthood in West Chester last July for an abortion. ``I went to Planned Parenthood because I was stuck in my own world doing everything that I wanted to do,'' Roman's mother, Cartier, who had a previous abortion in 2012, told Christian News Network. ``I was going to go get another abortion.'' Cartier, 21, had three other children and a stepchild, and was living in government housing, where she was limited to an occupancy of six people. If she had the baby, she and her husband feared that they might have to find housing elsewhere, but had nowhere else to go. At Planned Parenthood, Cartier found out that she was too far along in her pregnancy to have an abortion at the facility. She was directed to go to Cherry Hill, New Jersey that day to end the baby's life. ``[Planned Parenthood] gave me this paper and said, `Here's other places that will do it,' '' she explained. ``And when I left, my husband and I got in the car [and were going to drive to New Jersey for the abortion].'' That day, a number of Christian sidewalk counselors stood outside of the facility offering help to abortion-minded mothers. Mary Ellen Caris, who has been active in pro-life ministry since 1989, was one of the counselors that eventually had contact with the couple. ``They came out an hour or so after they initially went in,'' she stated, ``They didn't look at us, and they didn't want to take any information.''

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1528) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to allow a veterinarian to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location, as amended.

Mr. PITTS. 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 materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include an exchange of letters between the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, April 28, 2014. Hon. Fred Upton, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Upton, On April 3, 2014, the Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered reported H.R. 1528, the ``Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013.'' As you know, the Committee on the Judiciary was given an additional referral on this measure upon introduction. As a result of your having consulted with the Judiciary Committee concerning provisions of the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I too agree to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary from further consideration of H.R. 1528. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H.R. 1528 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward. Our committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation, and requests your support for any such request. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 1528, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1528, the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014, introduced by Representative Kurt Schrader of Oregon. This is a commonsense bill that is supported by the veterinary community and will bring clarity to the sometimes conflicting guidance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA, relative to the Controlled Substances Act and the ability of a licensed veterinarian to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location. Simply put, the bill allows veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances in the field. This bill has a direct impact on my district--home of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center. Vets are often required to provide ambulatory services in the field, especially in rural areas and for the care of large animals such as cows or horses. Sometimes it is not feasible for owners to bring the animals to a hospital or a clinic like New Bolton Center, and so vets provide essential house call visits. Clarification of the law is necessary to allow vets to transport, administer, and dispense controlled substances outside of their registered location whether to provide pain management, anesthesia, or euthanasia. Passage of this important legislation will allow veterinarians the complete ability to provide care to their animal patients beyond their clinics. This will protect the health and welfare of the Nation's animals, ensure public safety, and safeguard the Nation's food supply. A companion bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on January 8, 2014. H.R. 1528 includes 185 cosponsors and is supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the ASPCA, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and a veterinary coalition coordinated by the AVMA of over 110 organizations. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), who is a veterinarian himself.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close.

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask all of the Members to support this commonsense bill that is on behalf of the life and safety of our animal patients and the safety of our food supply. I urge bipartisan support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4631) to reauthorize certain provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to autism, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PITTS. 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 materials into the Record on the bill.