Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First I want to commend the author of this particular bill, H.R. 1776. I think that it is a fine bill. I want to commend both the subcommittee chairman, the full committee chairman, the ranking member of the subcommittee and the ranking member of the full chairman. I think that this is a bill that is going to really solve a serious problem. Request for Modification to Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Rush

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my amendment be modified so that it applies to section 505 of H.R. 1776. Due to a drafting error, it currently applies only to section 203 and 404 of the bill.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I will proceed.

Mr. RUSH. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I will reserve my time.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn).

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce H.R. 3909, designating a United States Postal Service facility in the First Congressional District of Illinois as the ``Henry W. McGee Post Office Building.'' Henry McGee, the first black Postmaster of Chicago, gave 44 years of outstanding and exemplary service to the Post Office Department, now known as the U.S. Postal Service. He began his career in 1929 as a temporary substitute letter carrier and ended it in 1973 as General Manager of the eight metropolitan districts of Chicago. For this reason alone, I think it is more than fitting to honor his service and commitment to excellence, by naming the post office facility at 4601 South Cottage Grove Avenue as the ``Henry W. McGee Post Office Building.'' But Mr. McGee's accomplishments do not end here and neither should the praise. Mr. McGee coordinated the arrangements for the 1939 convention of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees and in 1945 he served as president of the Chicago branch of the National Alliance. In 1948, Mr. McGee was appointed by the postmaster to comanage the employment office, later becoming the manager and overseeing the conversion to career employment for a large number of female employees. Continuing to strive for excellence, Mr. McGee acquired his bachelor of science degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and earned a promotion making him General Foreman. Later, he became Superintendent of the largest finance station of the Post Office Department. In 1961, Mr. McGee received a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Chicago, while concurrently being promoted to Personnel Manager for the Chicago region of the Post Office Department, which encompassed Illinois and Michigan. Five years later, Mr. McGee became the first black Postmaster of Chicago. Abraham Lincoln said: ``. . . in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.'' I am honored to submit this legislation saluting 90-year-old Henry McGee, a praiseworthy and admirable man. I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile measure.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to join with my colleague, Ray LaHood, in introducing the Organ Donation and Transplantation Improvements Act of 2000, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the national system of organ allocation and transplantation. Under the provisions of the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the responsibility for establishing and administering a national organ allocation program. In April of 1998, the Department published a regulation which directs the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to address a number of inefficiencies and inequities in the existing organ allocation program. UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing, and a number of transplant centers, strongly objected to the regulation. The groups in opposition sought and secured a rider to the Omnibus Appropriations enacted in 1998 which blocked implementation of the Secretary's proposed regulation. In October, 1998, the Congress suspended implementation of the Final Rule for one year to allow further study of its potential impact. During that time, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review current Organ Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN) policies and the potential impact of the Final Rule. The IOM study was completed in July of last year and provided overwhelming evidence in favor of the new regulations. Nevertheless, at the end of the last session of Congress, a second moratorium was added onto the Work Incentives Improvement Act, that provided for an additional 90-day delay of implementation of the Final Rule. In the midst of this debate, last October, the House Commerce Committee debated and reported legislation, H.R. 2418, that would divest the Department of Health and Human Services of any authority to require anything of the OPTN. Functions of a scientific, clinical or medical nature would be in the sole discretion of the OPTN. All administrative and procedural functions would require mutual agreement of the Secretary and the Network. Opponents of H.R. 2418, including the Governor of the great state of Illinois, believe that the legislation would create an unregulated monopoly of organ allocations, and allow UNOS to run the organ allocation program unfettered. The legislation also favors small states with small centers at the expense of patients waiting for transplants at larger centers. The state of Illinois represents 9 percent of the population and receives only 4 percent of the transplants. The legislation which Mr. LaHood and I are introducing today takes elements from a variety of different sources and combines them into a comprehensive bill aimed at improving the performance of the nation's organ donation and transplant system. The bill includes elements from: The existing National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA); H.R. 2418, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Amendments of 1999; The OPTN regulation promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services and revised in 1999; and Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine in its 1999 report: Organ Procurement and Transplantation. The goal of the Donation and Transplantation Act is to increase organ donation rates and to foster a fair and effective system for improving the nation's organ transplantation system. The legislation that we are introducing supports a number of programs aimed at increasing organ donation by establishing a grant program to assist organ procurement organizations (OPO) and other non-profit organizations in developing and expanding programs aimed at increasing organ donation rates; creating a Congressional Donor Medal to be awarded to living organ donors or to organ donor families; establishing a system of accountability and places the responsibility for increasing organ donation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS must report its progress to Congress); and establishes a system of support for state programs to increase organ donation. Congress created the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) in 1984 to create a fair and effective system for matching organ donors with patients in need of organ transplants. The Act maintains the high medical standards established by Congress in 1984; further defines the organ allocation standards established by Congress in 1984 in order to ensure a fair and equitable system of allocation based upon the recent recommendations of the Institute of Medicine; establishes new standards of financial accountability in the operation of the OPTN; and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the OPTN contractor to monitor and enforce the policies of the OPTN. The Act further removes the burden for organ allocation from the Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and establishes a process, based upon sound medical criteria, for the certification and recertification of OPOs. The legislation further provides an opportunity for OPOs that fail to meet standards to implement a corrective plan of action. Our legislation implements the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine through the creation of an advisory board to review OPTN policies and ensure the best performance of the OPTN in the effective and equitable procurement and allocation of donated organs. The legislation also includes a provision to reimburse individuals who donate organs for the non-medical travel expenses and maintains the current standard of enduring that patients have the best data and information about the nation's organ transplant system. Finally, Mr. Speaker, as with the current law, our legislation provides that the OPTN will continue to be operated by a private non-profit organization, with rules that will be subject to review by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. Speaker, the legislation that Congressman LaHood and I have introduced today is a sound compromise worthy of consideration. I hope that our colleagues will join us in support of this legislation.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. I want to thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time, and I want to commend him for his leadership on this very, very important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5, the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act. This Social Security earnings limit is wrong and archaic. Why penalize able-bodied senior Americans who can work? At a time when our economy is in need of an experienced workforce, we should not be turning our backs on seniors who have valuable experience and skills. The worst part of the earnings limit is that it penalizes poor senior citizens. Mr. Speaker, not every senior who retires has private pensions to supplement their Social Security benefits. Health costs are rising; prescription drugs are unattainable. Seniors need to work to supplement their Social Security benefits. No longer should we force seniors to choose between food and medicine. Do not deny our seniors their basic rights. We must do away with this archaic earnings limit which deprives our seniors of their earned benefits. Again, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago Amadou Diallo was shot to death in the vestibule of his Bronx apartment. Last week, the four New York City police officers who shot and killed unarmed Amadou Diallo were found not guilty of any crime related to his death and walked out of the Albany courthouse as free men. Sadly, Diallo's death is the final consequence of a city police system where law enforcement officers are allowed to run amuck. This dismal loss of life just highlights the need to rein in unchecked police officers and curb reckless, aggressive law enforcement activities. We need better police training, training that addresses diversity and sensitivity issues, training that includes conflict management, how to diffuse a situation without using a gun. Maybe then we can restore some of the lost faith and trust in law enforcement officers and in the criminal justice system. We have to hold law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. There can be no more Amadou Diallo-like deaths in this Nation.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor the Reverend Dr. Louis Rawls on the occasion of the celebration his tenure as Pastor of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Rawls was born July 16, 1905 in Union, Mississippi to the union of James Rawls, Sr. and Louiza Donnell. Dr. Rawls accepted the call of the Lord at the age of twenty-six. He served as pastor of Canaan Baptist Church for nearly ten years. In 1941, the Lord directed Dr. Rawls to organize the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he has served as Pastor, preacher and teacher for the past fifty-eight years. With the power of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Rawls has felowshipped more than 23,000 souls into the church. Dr. Rawls graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in 1928 and Moody Bible Institute in 1934. Dr. Rawls is the recipient of eight earned degrees and six honorary degrees. Dr. Rawls was a founding member of the Chicago Baptist Institute and the founder of the Illinois Baptist State Convention. He has served on numerous boards including, the NAACP, the National Association of Evangelists and the National Religious Broadcasters of America. Building a ministry that focuses on the total man, Dr. Rawls founded the Willa Rawls Manor and the Tabernacle Community Hospital and Health Center. Dr. Rawls has worked extensively in the civil rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, the NAACP and the Urban League. Dr. Rawls is a devoted and loving family man to his wife, Willa and his three children, Lou, Samuel, and Julius Lee. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with thousands of family and friends who will gather in Chicago on November 27, 1999 to recognize the life achievements of Reverend Dr. Louis Rawls, Pastor of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and I want to encourage Dr. Rawls to continue to be steadfast and unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord. I am truly honored to pay tribute to this outstanding Servant of God and am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Chicago's unsung heroes, the late George B. Salter. His untimely death on October 24, 1999 will truly leave a deep void in our community. Mr. George B. Salter was born in Hickory, Mississippi on October 13, 1916 to the union of Sallie Johnson Salter and Frank Salter. Mr. George B. Salter would later marry his high school sweetheart Louise Lucille Stroter. To this union two daughters were born, Brenda Yvonne Salter and Henrietta Louise Salter. A Navy veteran, Mr. George B. Salter committed part of his life to protect the freedom of Americans and to further fight for the freedom of others around the world. While in the Navy Mr. George B. Salter was a member of the prestigious Navy band playing the trumpet while stationed in Earl, New Jersey. Mr. George B. Salter was employed for over 40 years by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad (presently Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad) where he rose in the ranks and became the first African-American to be appointed to the position of crew supervisor. Mr. George B. Salter was a steadfast believer that with the proper amount of work anything was possible. Mr. George B. Salter took an active part in his community. This was seen in his utmost consecration to his vocation as God's faithful servant. As a Senior Usher in charge of the Balcony at Liberty Baptist Church, George B. Salter enjoyed helping Liberty's official greeters bring their children upstairs. Mr. Salter brought hope and optimism to ordinary folks whose lives he touched so deeply never holding anyone at arm's length. Mr. George B. Salter was a relentless community builder, a loving father, and a doting grandfather, completely unselfish in all of his endeavors. Mr. Salter leaves behind his devoted wife of 58 years Louise, his daughter Brenda Salter Jones married to James Jones Sr., Henrietta Salter Leak married to Spencer Leak Sr., and four beautiful grandsons James Jones Jr., Spencer Leak Jr., Stephen L. Leak and Stacy R. Leak. The man they called ``Papa'' will surely be missed. My fellow colleagues please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. George B. Salter, a true beacon of the Chicago community.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my opposition to the process by which we are considering some of the most important legislation that this House will debate during this session of Congress--the Medicare, Medicaid and Schip Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I would have liked to have had the opportunity to fully debate the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP changes that this legislation makes. Particularly, in light of the impact the Balanced Budget Act has had on Illinois hospitals. Illinois hospitals are experiencing severe financial hardship as a result of the Balanced Budget Act of 1977 (P.L. 105-33). The cuts mandated by the BBA were supposed to simply slow the growth in the Medicare program. However, the Act ``overcorrected'' the growth in Medicare spending and severely reduced Medicare reimbursements to hospitals and health service providers for five years beginning in 1997. In Illinois alone, it is estimated that hospitals will lose $2.8 billion in Medicare payments over a five year period. The financial burden of the BBA cuts is particularly acute for the teaching hospitals in my state. Because Illinois ranks fifth in the nation in the number of teaching hospitals, and these facilities are expected to lose more than $1.6 billion over the five-year period, of the BBA's life. These cuts have a devastating effect on the communities that they serve. I opposed the Balanced Budget Act when it was debated by the House of Representatives in 1997. I believed that it was bad policy then, and believe that it is bad policy now. In order to provide relief for the teaching hospitals and other health service providers that were so adversely impacted by the BBA, I introduced legislation, Health Care Preservation and Accessibility Act of 1999, H.R. 3145, to restore some of the Medicare reimbursements that the BBA reduced. The legislation was intended to accomplish this in a number of ways: (1) H.R. 3415 would freeze the cuts in indirect medical payments (IME) to teaching hospitals at 1999 levels. It also freezes cuts in the disproportionate share payments (DSH payments) at 2% and provides payments directly to those serving a large share of low-income patients; (2) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments for Graduate Medical Education (GME) to children's hospitals for the Medicare FY 2000 and 2001 cost reporting periods for the direct and indirect expenses associated with operating approved medical residency training programs; (3) sets a floor on outpatient hospital payments so that rural hospitals do not fall below 1999 levels and establishes a new payment system for rural health centers; (4) revises the payment system for community health centers so that it more adequately reimburses for the costs of care and allows safety net providers that provide health coverage to low-income Americans to be directly compensated for their services; (5) eliminates the $1,500 per beneficiary cap imposed by the BBA and replaces it with a payment system that is based on the severity of illness; (6) revises the BBA's new prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities by increasing reimbursements for patients needing a high level of services to more accurately reflect the cost of their care; (7) delays a scheduled 15% reduction in the home health interim payment system if the Secretary of Health and Human Services misses the deadline for instituting the new prospective system. H.R. 3415 also allows for interest free recoupment of overpayments due to HCFA's underestimation of the interim payment rates for certain agencies. Finally, H.R. 3415 provides additional protections for seniors citizens and persons with disabilities and strengthens protections and sanctions for Medicare fraud and abuse. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the Health Care Preservation and Accessibility Act of 1999 when it looked as if we could not reach agreement on even the minimal BBA relief that the legislation before us provides to Illinois hospitals, and hospitals across the nation. I am reluctantly supporting the legislation before us today, because it is the only option that has been presented to us. But it is my hope that we will have the courage to revisit this issue in the next session, and complete the job that we have only begun with H.R. 3075.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in remembering an extraordinary athlete and person, Mr. Walter Payton. Walter Payton was a hero on and off the football field. Throughout his life, he epitomized courage, determination and dignity. Self- motivated by a standard of excellence, he used his intelligence and God-given ability to excel in his professional and personal life. As you know, this standard of excellence is detailed in the numerous stats, and records he accumulated throughout his football career. In thirteen years of playing professional football, Walter set 28 Bears records and 7 NFL records. The All time NFL leader in total rushing yards (16,726) and combined net yardage (21,803), Payton was truly one of the greatest running backs who ever played the game. He rushed for 1,000 yards in 10 of his seasons, and set the longstanding record for most rushing yards gained in a single game. I still recall Walter's historic performance against the Minnesota Vikings, where he rushed for 275 yards, and carried the ball 40 times. Furthermore, I am sure that if a record existed for endurance, Walter would have set that as well. Payton only missed one game in his entire career, which spanned 13 seasons and 190 games. I recall many moments watching Walter and being in awe of his numerous athletic feats. His sheer will, determination and courage will forever be a measure for athletic and personal excellence. Throughout his thirteen stellar years with the Chicago Bears, I cannot recall a single time when Walter chose to run the ball into the sidelines, rather than run straight into an opposing defender or group of defenders. He displayed courage when confronted with any obstacle. Even while facing the toughest obstacle in his life, Walter bravely announced to the world his battle with the liver disorder and cancer, that would claim his life. On occasions that Walter visited me in my office, his humility and down to earth approach always impressed me. It was refreshing. It was those qualities that became even more evident during these last few months. ``Sweetness,'' graceful, courageous, electrifying and charming are just a few of the characteristics that Walter embodied throughout his life. I am deeply saddened by Walter Payton's passing. My prayers are with his loving wife and children. In closing, I will forever treasure the many memories Walter Payton has left behind, and I hope his family and his many friends rest assured knowing that he has found comfort in God's hands.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank the gentlewoman from Texas for all of the work that she has done on behalf of this bill at the committee level and at the subcommittee level. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the chairman of the committee, for all his work. I want to also thank the ranking member the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for all the work that he did on behalf of this bill, and also I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the subcommittee, for all the work that he did on behalf of this bill. Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999, I also support certain provisions that were added in the Senate by unanimous consent and that enjoy strong bipartisan support. Specifically, I refer to a provision added by Senator Hatch which is merely a technical clarification to the L visa. As my colleagues know, the L visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa. The technical amendment permits an American company which is part of an international business, to transfer managers and employees to the United States from a foreign country. This amendment allows American companies to remain competitive. Additionally, another provision added by Senators Lott and Daschle allow foreign doctors to work for 5 years in disadvantaged areas, provided, and I repeat, provided that no American doctors are available to perform these jobs. I want to assure my colleagues that these amendments will not take jobs away from our American doctors and these amendments are within the spirit of this legislation. Hence, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 441, as amended by the Senate. As you may know, my reason for introducing and encouraging support for this legislation is quite simple. It will assist the underserved communities of this Nation by providing adequate health care for their residents. Today there are some areas in this country which experience a scarcity of health professionals. Even though numbers indicate that no nursing shortage exists nationally, such an area exists in my district, the First District of Illinois. The Englewood community, a poor, urban neighborhood with a high incidence of crime, is primarily served by one hospital, and that hospital is the St. Bernard's Hospital. This small community hospital's emergency room averages approximately 31,000 visits per day. Fifty percent of their patients are Medicaid recipients and 35 percent receive Medicare. The Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1989 created the H-1A visa program in order to allow foreign-educated nurses to work in the United States. The rationale for the H-1A program, as acknowledged by the AFL- CIO, the American Nurses Association and others, was to address spot shortage areas. St. Bernard's hospital utilized the H-1A program to maintain an adequate nursing staff level. The H-1A program was vital to St. Bernard's continued existence. Prior to this program, St. Bernard hired temporary nurses. As a result, the hospital's nursing expenditures increased by approximately $2 million in an effort to provide health care to its patients in 1992. This additional cost brought St. Bernard's close to closing its doors. The H-1A visa program expired on September 30, 1997. Currently, no program exists that would assist hospitals such as St. Bernard's in their efforts to retain qualified nurses. My legislation merely seeks to close a gap created by the expiration of the H-1A program. H.R. 441 prescribes that any hospital which seeks to hire foreign nurses under these provisions must meet the following stringent criteria: number one, be located in a health professional shortage area; number two, have at least 190 acute-care beds; number three, have a Medicare population of 35 percent; and, number four, have a Medicaid population of at least 28 percent. Mr. Speaker, these are stringent requirements. This bill needs the support of the Members of this body, and I encourage Members of this body to support this legislation and support H.R. 441.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Chicago's unsung heroes, the late George B. Salter. His untimely death on October 24, 1999, will truly leave a deep void in our community. Mr. George B. Salter was born in Hickory, MS on October 13, 1916 to the union of Sallie Johnson Salter and Frank Salter. Mr. George B. Salter later married his high school sweetheart Louise Lucille Salter. To this union two daughters were born, Brenda Yvonne Salter and Henrietta Louise Salter. A Navy veteran, Mr. George B. Salter committed a part of his life to protect the freedom of Americans and to further the fight for the freedom of others around the world. While in the Navy Mr. George B. Salter was a member of the prestigious Navy band playing the Trumpet while stationed in Earl, NJ. Mr. George B. Salter was employed by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad (presently Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad) where he rose in the ranks and became the first African-American to be appointed to the position of crew supervisor. Mr. George B. Salter was a steadfast believer that with the proper amount of work anything was possible. Mr. George B. Salter took an active part in his community. This was seen in his utmost commitment to his vocation as God's faithful servant. As a senior usher in charge of the balcony at Liberty Baptist Church, George B. Salter enjoyed helping Liberty's official greeters bring their children to the steps. Mr. Salter brought hope and optimism to ordinary folks whose lives he touched so deeply never holding anyone at arm's length. Mr. George B. Salter was a relentless community builder, a loving father, and a doting grandfather, completely unselfish in all of his endeavors. Mr. Salter leaves behind this devoted wife of 58 years Louise, his daughter Brenda Salter Jones married to James Jones Jr., Henrietta Salter Leak married to Spencer Leak Sr., and four beautiful grandsons James Jones, Spencer Leak Jr., Stephen L. Leak and Stacey R. Leak. The man they called ``Papa'' will surely be missed. My fellow colleagues please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. George B. Salter, a true beacon of the Chicago community.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, State hospitals all over the country are experiencing severe financial crisis due to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA 97, P.L. 105-33), which reduced Medicare reimbursements to hospitals and health service providers over a 5-year period. The BBA cuts ordered in 1999 were supposed to slow the growth of Medicare and save $112 billion over 5 years, including $4 billion from Medicare payments to hospitals. However, the BBA, which I opposed, has imposed severe financial burdens on teaching hospitals, rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health providers. In my State alone, hospitals are estimated to lose $2.8 billion in Medicare payments over a 5-year period. The financial burden of the BBA cuts is causing severe pain for the teaching hospitals in my State. Because Illinois ranks fifth in the Nation in the number of teaching hospitals, and these facilities are expected to lose more than $1.6 billion over the 5-year period, of the BBA's life. These cuts have a devastating effect on the communities that they serve. In order to provide relief for these hospitals, I am introducing the Health Care Preservation and Accessibility Act of 1999, which will restore one-third of the difference between the projected and actual savings from hospitals. The legislation will accomplish this by freezing the cuts on teaching hospitals, rural hospitals, children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs, skilled nursing facilities and home health care. Specifically, my legislation will restore cuts in the following manner: Teaching Hospitals: Freezes the cuts in indirect medical payments (IME) to 1999 levels. It also freezes cuts in the disproportionate share payments (DSH payments) at 2% and provides payments directly to those serving a large share of low-income patients. Children's Hospitals--GME: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments as specified to each children's hospital for the cost reporting period under Medicare for FY 2000 and 2001 for the direct and indirect expenses associated with operating approved medical residency training programs. Rural Hospitals: Sets a floor on outpatient hospital payments so that rural hospitals do not fall below 1999 levels and establishes a new payment system for rural health centers. Safety Net Providers: Revises the payment system for community health centers so that it more adequately covers the costs and allows those providers that furnish service to low-income Americans to be directly compensated for their services. Rehabilitation Therapy Caps: Eliminates the $1,500 per beneficiary cap imposed by the BBA and replaces it with a payment system that is based on the severity of illness. Skilled Nursing Facilities: Revises the BBA's new prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities. My bill will increase reimbursements for patients needing a high level of service to more accurately reflect the cost of their care. It will establish a demonstration program where the rule requiring a 3-day hospital stay for skilled nursing services can be waived for certain illnesses. Home Health Providers: Delays a 15% reduction in the interim payment system if the Secretary of Health and Human services misses the deadline for instituting the new prospective system. It also allows for interest free recoupment of overpayments due to HCFA's underestimation of the interim payment rates for certain agencies. My legislation also provides additional protections for senior citizens and persons with disabilities and strengthens protections and sanctions for Medicare fraud and abuse. I hope that my legislation, the Health Care Preservation and Accessibility Act of 1999 will provide the much-needed relief to the Illinois Hospitals that have been harmed by the 1997 BBA-imposed reductions.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this motion to instruct. It is very simple for me, Mr. Speaker. It is vital that the conference committee move forward on this very, very important and crucial piece of legislation, H.R. 1501. Mr. Speaker, let me remind the Members here that the Senate passed gun safety legislation in early May of this year, early May, Mr. Speaker. Now it is mid-October, and we still have no action on this particular bill. The House, Republican House leadership, waited over a month to consider gun safety legislation. While they waited, in the back room, in the smoke-filled back room, the NRA was busy at work drafting a phony loophole-filled bill that weakened even the current law. More than a month passed before the conferees were appointed. In the meantime, the Republican leadership raised phony issues, blue slipping issues to justify their delay. Any excuse for delay was the order of the day, any excuse. The most suspicious argument was foisted upon this body, excuse after excuse, delay after delay. They actually claim, Mr. Speaker, as a final resort, they claim the ban on importing high-capacity ammo clips was really a tax bill. How ludicrous. How ridiculous. Mr. Speaker, it is so shameful that the conference has held only one meeting, and this was over 2 months ago, on this very, very important and critical issue. The people in my district, the First District of Illinois, they are pleading, they are begging, they are waiting for this Congress to do something about gun safety. They want us to move, and they want us to move quickly. Mr. Speaker, 6 months have passed, 6 months since Columbine, and still this body has done nothing. While we have sat around like knots on a log, sat around while guns are taking the lives of our children all across this Nation. The Jackson-Lee motion to instruct simply instructs conferees to get to work, get to work immediately, get to work now, report the conference substitute by October 20, the 6-month anniversary of Columbine, and give both the House and the Senate time to consider gun safety before this session of Congress adjourns.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage the Pro Football Hall of Fame to induct an extraordinary athlete called Buddy Young, a Chicago hero and graduate of the Wendell Phillips High School in my district. As Chicago Sun Times columnist Steve Neal recently observed, Buddy Young was among the greatest NFL running backs of the modern era. From 1944 to 1946, Buddy Young was an All American halfback for the University of Illinois' fighting Illini. In his first season as a college football player, Young was runner up for the coveted Heisman Trophy. As one of the most electrifying players on the team, he tied renowned football legend Red Grange's college record for touchdowns. In 1947, Young led the NCAA college all star football team in an astounding upset victory over defending pro football champions, the Chicago Bears. Due to his outstanding performance during the game, Buddy Young was selected as the game's MVP. Following his college football career, Buddy showcased his athletic talents on a number of pro football teams. He is best remembered as a standout offensive threat for the Baltimore Colts where he set a kickoff record that is still standing today. Also, Young's 27.7 per yard kickoff return average is currently ranked fourth in all-time pro football record books. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Young's record and play as a Colt was so superior that the franchise retired his number, an accolade afforded to only eight other Colt football players. Furthermore, it is worth noting that, of the nine Baltimore Colt football players to have had their numbers retired, Buddy Young is the sole player who has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Although well known for his great football accomplishment, Buddy Young has excelled in other aspects of his life. As the director of player relations of the National Football League, Young was the first African American to become an executive in any major sports league. Additionally, while in college, Young won the NCAA Division I track and field championship in the 100 yard dash, the 220 yard dash, and he set a world record in the 60-yard dash. Already, Mr. Speaker, Buddy Young's athletic achievements have earned him induction into the College Football, Chicagoland, and the Rose Bowl Halls of Fame. It is now both fitting and warranted for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to induct this athlete of athletes into its cherished halls. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I again encourage the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee to induct Claude Buddy Young into its prestigious and historical group of athletic legends. Only then will Young's place in athletic history be rightfully immortalized alongside other legends of the great game of football.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), Congressman from the 7th Congressional District, for holding this special order. This special order is important to the hospitals in my district, the hospitals in urban America and, as the previous speaker indicated, the hospitals in rural America. I want to say to my colleague from the 7th Congressional District that, again, he is on point. We served in the Chicago city council together. He was a leader on health care issues in the city council. He was a leader on health care issues when he was a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and now in the Congress he is a leader on health care issues, and I want to applaud him for his leadership and again thank him for holding this important special order. To the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), I want to join with my colleague from the 7th Congressional District in indicating my support for her, my support for those distressed constituents in her district, those individuals who are experiencing hardship now because of Hurricane Floyd. I want her to know that any time she wants to visit her son, who is a constituent of mine in the 1st Congressional District, she certainly can come in; and we will roll out the red carpet for her, as we have done in the past. The Balanced Budget Act, Mr. Speaker, is causing real pain for hospitals, for patients, and the communities that they serve. The BBA has produced an unintended financial burden on Chicago teaching hospitals, on rural hospitals, on skilled nursing facilities, and on home health providers. The issue is important, to me and to others, because Illinois ranks fifth in the Nation in the number of teaching hospitals. Teaching hospitals not only provide training to our Nation's future doctors but they also provide uncompensated care to underserved communities. In my State, the State of Illinois, these teaching hospitals provide 59 percent of the State's charity care. Additionally, in teaching hospitals in Illinois and in academic medical centers in Illinois, there are at least 80,000 Illinoisans statewide who are employed by these hospitals. As a matter of fact, Illinois teaching hospitals and academic medical centers are one of Illinois' largest employers. They add more than $3 billion in salaries and benefits to the Illinois economy. Because of these BBA cuts, these hospitals will lose $1.678 billion between fiscal year 1998 and fiscal year 2002. $1.678 billion the hospitals in Illinois will lose between fiscal year 1998 and fiscal year 2002. These cuts would be atrocious, these cuts will undeniably deny many low- income patients adequate and much-needed health care. This year this Congress passed a budget resolution that would have allowed for $792 billion in tax breaks, mostly to millionaires and billionaires, those who are living the good life, but not one red cent to fix the damage to Medicare from the BBA. Ironically, today in this Congress we are seeing that Members who voted for the BBA 2 years ago, they are now switching. They are now reversing their positions. They are now supportive of fixes to Medicare. Mr. Speaker, the Members on both sides of the aisle, this Congress, the Republicans particularly, this Congress must fess up and admit that it made a mistake; and it must do the right thing by funding for substantial increases in Medicare reimbursements.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Maryland for his efforts on behalf of the historically black colleges. I want to commend the chairman for his untiring efforts on this particular resolution. I also want to commend the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn, for his work, for his authorship of this particular resolution. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 293, a resolution which expresses the sense of this House of Representatives in support of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, which began on September 19, 1999. Historically black colleges and universities, HBCUs, are post- secondary academic institutions founded before 1964 whose educational missions have historically been the education of African Americans. Located in various regions of the United States, there are now about 105 HBCUs in existence. HBCUs consist of a mixture of community and junior colleges, 4-year colleges and universities, and both public and private institutions. HBCUs enroll less than 20 percent of African-American undergrads, but HBCUs award one-third of all bachelor degrees and a significant number of the advanced degrees earned by African Americans throughout this Nation. Since inception, HBCUs have stood poised as a catalyst for educational opportunity for generations of African Americans. These institutions were born of the belief that post-Civil War black freedmen should become immediately educated. These 105 institutions which were created for this purpose today continue to provide quality higher education and professional nurturing to a broad mixture of diverse individuals, including people of other ethnic backgrounds and racial origins. Today I rise to commend these institutions and their faculties, their students and their administrators, those individuals who have created this initial goal of providing quality higher education to African Americans and others. Mr. Speaker, I just want to relate that I am a product of Albany, Georgia. When I was in the kindergarten going to my first school in Albany, Georgia, as a 5-year-old, I always approached school with a certain awe, because located directly across the street from the grade school where I entered into kindergarten was Albany State College. I believe that Albany State College and my experience of watching and being involved in that environment have created a foundation that have helped shape my life and have made me the person that I am today. It created in me a yearning for education. It created in me a struggle and a strive for excellence. I know that historically black colleges throughout this Nation have provided doctors and lawyers and engineers and professionals of all types. I want to commend these institutions because I know that the reason the 1st Congressional District of Illinois is an outstanding district, the reason that it is a productive district is because, in the 1st Congressional District, we have a number of HBCU graduates from all walks of life.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to pay tribute to the life of a respected journalist, a superb writer and a true Chicagoan. Phil Walters covered the streets of Chicago with his own unique style and in his own brilliant way. He shared Chicago's life and times with millions of television viewers for more than 30 years. My relationship with Phil began some 30-odd years ago when as a reporter for NBC's Channel 5 he covered me in my work as a civil rights activist. Even then, as a young journalist, Phil's insightful reporting and the passion he brought to telling Chicago stories proved to be award winning. The man and his work will be long remembered and long cherished by Chicagoans for years to come. Phil Walters passed on Sunday, September 12, 1999, and is survived by his wife Paula Weiss and his son Tyce. Our condolences are with his family and with his friends.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, the VA-HUD bill that we are considering today is unacceptable. At a time of unprecedented economic prosperity, the question is: Why is it that we are cutting the supply of affordable housing instead of increasing the supply of affordable housing? The cuts proposed by the Republicans will be devastating to our Nation's most vulnerable citizens. The majority proposes to cut $1.6 billion below last year's levels. The VA-HUD bill does not include any of President Clinton's requests for new housing and economic development assistance, such as 100,000 new Section 8 vouchers, APIC, which is America's Private Investment Companies, and other initiatives. In the City of Chicago, these cuts would deprive 2,530 people of jobs; 1,915 people of affordable housing; and deny assistance to 397 homeless families and persons with AIDS. It is estimated that the City of Chicago will lose $33,975,000 as a result of the VA-HUD cuts. My constituents are asking, what is going on here in Washington? Well, I will tell what is going on here. The proponents of this huge tax cut are looking for ways to pay for their plan for their wealthiest supporters. Unfortunately, they chose to do this on the backs of the poor, our most vulnerable citizens. I urge my Republican colleagues to fully fund VA-HUD. We must expand, not cut, the programs that meet vital housing and economic development needs of our most vulnerable citizens.