Peter Roskam

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just want to go into a little bit more detail and focus on how it is that we are here today and why there is an urgency to this. The gentlewoman just mentioned some staggering statistics: 9,000 pills per individual over a decade in a particular town. It tells you that the system has gotten entirely out of balance. There are a lot of explanations and there are not a lot of clean hands: We know that there have been government policies that have driven, in part, the opioid crisis by evaluating providers on whether or not pain satisfaction has been completed on the patient side of things; We know that in some cases there have been healthcare providers that have not gone into the detail of getting to the root of a problem; We know that we, as a culture, put extraordinary pressure on healthcare providers when we tell them we want them to help us get out of pain; and when we do that, sometimes, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we put ourselves at risk, and we know that pharma has a lot to answer for. All of those things we know are true, and I think what is encouraging to me is this idea of people coming together on both sides and recognizing we don't have to live this way anymore. We don't have to have a system that drives people in this direction. Let me just go back to this inspector general report from the Department of Health and Human Services that says that 79 million prescriptions involving opioids were prescribed in 2016 alone. That is a staggering number. And I think that, if we are diligent, if we are forward thinking, and if we continue to work together, both sides of the aisle coming together, Mr. Speaker, I think that, in 10 years, our country will be having a different conversation on opioids. It may take that long, but I think, in 10 years' time, if we do the work, if we are committed to this, we can look back and we can say: That was a time when the United States came together around a public health crisis; that was a time when people had a general understanding that they needed to get over the normal approaches on things; and that was a time that people came together with holistic approaches. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong support of H.R. 5676, a bipartisan bill centered on protecting Medicare beneficiaries from abusive opioid prescribing, while ensuring appropriate access to medically necessary medications. This bill strikes a balance, which we need. H.R. 5676, introduced by our colleagues--Mr. MacArthur, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Schweikert, Mr. Collins, Ms. Kuster, and Mr. Tonko-- extends an existing authority in the Medicare fee-for-service program to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. According to a recent report released by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, one-third of Medicare part D beneficiaries received an opioid prescription in 2016, costing the program $4.1 billion and representing as many as 79.4 million prescriptions. The report found that as many as half a million part D beneficiaries received high amounts of opioids, with almost 70,000 receiving extreme amounts of opioids, many of them as a result of doctor shopping. For years, the Medicare fee-for-service program has been able to suspend payments to a provider or a supplier pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud against the provider or supplier. Extending this authority to the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans will help bridge the gap in the care of beneficiaries and halt the fraudulent activity that contributes to the opioid crisis. I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on the Ways and Means Committee for their commitment to working cooperatively on this, and also our colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, particularly Congressman Burgess, who chairs the Health Subcommittee, and also Chairman Walden. They played a role in laying the groundwork for policies like this that crack down on abusers. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work on this issue on both sides of the aisle and with the administration on policies that will further strengthen the integrity of the Medicare program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 8, 2018. Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Walden: I write to you regarding several opioid bills the Committee on Ways and Means ordered favorably reported to address the opioid epidemic. The following bills were also referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I ask that the Committee on Energy and Commerce waive formal consideration of the following bills so that they may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor: H.R. 5774, Combatting Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals (COACH) Act; H.R. 5775, Providing Reliable Options for Patients and Educations Resources (PROPER) Act; H.R. 5776, Medicare and Opioid Safe Treatment (MOST) Act; H.R. 5773, Preventing Addition for Susceptible Seniors (PASS) Act; H.R. 5676, Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement (SENIOR) Communities Protection Act; and H.R. 5723, Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and Payment Act. I acknowledge that by waiving formal consideration of the bills, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is in no way waiving its jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in those provisions of the bills that fall within your Rule X jurisdiction. I would support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees on any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Kevin Brady, Chairman.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5676, currently under consideration.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5676) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize the suspension of payments by Medicare prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans pending investigations of credible allegations of fraud by pharmacies, as amended.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I have spent a lot of time, as I know we all have, listening to my own constituency, the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago. I have listened to physicians, police chiefs, educators, caregivers, and others, and I have heard a common theme, and the common theme is: We need legislation that encourages the use of alternative treatments, that increases provider education and assists with detection of those who are at risk. The Preventing Addiction for Susceptible Seniors, PASS Act, will help do this. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee for working together in a bipartisan effort by recognizing this crisis and coming together in offering this solution. I would also like to thank our colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their commitment to working on this, particularly my counterpart who chairs the Health Subcommittee, Dr. Burgess, and Chairman Walden as well. This bill was brought through the committee process in a bipartisan fashion, and now, on the floor, I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of H.R. 5773, the PASS Act, to prevent overuse and overprescribing in the Medicare program. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 5773, a bipartisan bill centered on curbing opioid overuse by increasing program integrity efforts and increasing resources for beneficiaries to help ensure that they are properly adhering to their prescribed pain medications. My home State of Illinois is experiencing a notable increase in opioid-related overdose deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there has been a 44.3 percent increase in drug overdoses from 2013 to 2016. This staggering statistic is not limited to my district alone. This crisis has affected all of our districts, and for some, the four walls of our own homes. For this reason, Congress is taking action today to continue our work to deliver solutions to the opioid epidemic that is plaguing far too many American families. H.R. 5773, which I have introduced with my colleagues Representatives Knight, Sewell, and Sinema, packages several previously introduced bills. Specifically, H.R. 5773 includes policies under my bill H.R. 5716, the Commit to Opioid Medical Prescriber Accountability and Safety for Seniors Act, otherwise known as the COMPASS Act, introduced with Representative Larson, that ensures prescribers are notified of their opioid prescribing patterns to help educate them on proper prescribing. Second, the bill includes H.R. 4841, the Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act, led by Representatives Schweikert and Mike Thompson, to standardize electronic prior authorization to reduce physician burden and ensure medically necessary access to drugs, like opioids, that have dangerous side effects and high risk of abuse. And third, this bill contains policies from H.R. 5715, the Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act, led by Representatives Renacci and Sewell that will establish a portal to better facilitate communication between plan sponsors and the Medicare program to prevent opioid overuse and overprescribing. And finally, the bill contains policies from H.R. 5684, the Protecting Seniors from Opioid Abuse Act, championed by my colleagues Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania and Mr. Thompson of California, which expands Medication Therapy Management services to those who are at risk of opioid overuse. Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance policies like all the bills we have today that will further prevent opioid overuse and overprescribing, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 8, 2018. Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Walden: I write to you regarding several opioid bills the Committee on Ways and Means ordered favorably reported to address the opioid epidemic. The following bills were also referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I ask that the Committee on Energy and Commerce waive formal consideration of the following bills so that they may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor: H.R. 5774, Combatting Opioid Abuse for Care in Hospitals (COACH) Act; H.R. 5775, Providing Reliable Options for Patients and Educations Resources (PROPER) Act; H.R. 5776, Medicare and Opioid Safe Treatment (MOST) Act; H.R. 5773, Preventing Addiction for Susceptible Seniors (PASS) Act; H.R. 5676, Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement (SENIOR) Communities Protection Act; and H.R. 5723, Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and Payment Act. I acknowledge that by waiving formal consideration of the bills, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is in no way waiving its jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in those provisions of the bills that fall within your Rule X jurisdiction. I would support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees on any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Kevin Brady, Chairman.

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5773, currently under consideration.

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5773) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require Medicare prescription drug plans to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, require electronic prior authorization for covered part D drugs, and to provide for other program integrity measures under parts C and D of the Medicare program, as amended.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, all of us, everybody we know, has a lot of things that they are dealing with on a daily basis. There are challenges, and there are issues and little minicrises, until somebody gets a phone call that says that their child is in the emergency room with an opioid overdose. Then, all of a sudden, you have one crisis. That has been happening in my constituency, and I know that has been happening in districts all across the country. The first time this issue was brought to my attention, it was from a friend of mine. The coroner in DuPage County, Illinois, in my district, Dr. Rich Jorgensen said: Peter, there are kids who are dying of this crisis. He kept being a voice on this and bringing it to my attention. He and others in my home county, the HOPE Taskforce, have been joining together. I have met with them. They have given me feedback. Similarly, there is another task force, the Substance Abuse Coalition in McHenry County, Illinois, doing similar work. As I have met with them, they have said that one of the challenges is that this drug, this fentanyl, comes in through the United States Postal Service. When you first hear about this, you are incredulous about it. You say: No, that can't be. But the more you learn, the more you realize that this is a major problem. In fact, in terms of importing this or this crossing our border, my understanding is that this is at the top of the heap. To understand the nature, the science, and the medicine behind fentanyl is to mean that it scares the living daylights out of you. This molecule gets in your body, and the power of it is just overwhelming. So I want to thank Mr. Bishop, and I want to thank Mr. Pascrell for the work that they are doing on a bipartisan basis to bring people together to work through this and to come up with solutions. Now, this is not the only thing that is going to be happening here. This is in the context of other pieces of legislation. This is in the context of looking at treatment reimbursement, of screening, and of education. But this inbound flow is something that this Congress can do something about. Just in a nutshell, bringing together the United States Postal Service, the CBP, and also the United States State Department to work together in a coordinated fashion is something that my district is really pleased about. So I am pleased to be here to advocate on its behalf, and I urge its passage.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for votes on 6/12/2018. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 258; YEA on Roll Call No. 259; and YEA on Roll Call No. 260.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Sean Morrow, a constituent of the Sixth District of Illinois. On June 19, Sean will be taking command of the United Nations Security Battalion in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone on the Korean Peninsula. This unit is the most forward-deployed on the peninsula and stands on the front lines of freedom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, facing the North Korean People's Army eye to eye in defense of democracy and our way of life. As the son of a Korean war company commander myself, I am honored that my constituent is taking the helm of this command at such a crucial time. Sean is a warrior-scholar. A Ph.D. candidate in international relations at the University of Chicago, he is committed to protecting the United States on the battlefield but also rigorously studying the pressing national security challenges we face and their solutions. He has dedicated his life and his career to keeping our Nation safe. Mr. Speaker, I wish Sean, his wife Meghan, and their three children God's very best, and I thank him for his service.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Monroe Elementary School in Hinsdale, Illinois for earning the prestigious Green Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education. The Department of Education awards the Green Ribbon to schools that reduce their environmental impact, improve the health and wellness of their students, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education. I am proud to represent many of the students at this award winning school; Monroe Elementary has earned due credit for a job well done. Monroe Elementary provides a unique environmental education program through their ``Living Classroom''--a set of gardens that stretch across approximately .85 acres of the school's property including a butterfly garden, a prairie, a pond, and their ``George Washington Vegetable Garden.'' In the Living Classroom, students get the opportunity outside the classroom to explore nature and learn about plants and animals. Monroe also sponsors a student ``Green Club,'' which monitors lunch waste and leads the school's recycling and upcycling programs. I commend the Green Club for their environmental stewardship. Their work highlights how engaged the school body is in protecting the environment. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Monroe Elementary School for earning the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon, and for their tireless work protecting the environment.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, this is a heartfelt issue obviously, but we are talking about rough stuff. We are talking about stuff that attracts gangs. We are talking about stuff that attracts drug trafficking. We are talking about stuff that attracts violence. We are talking about things that you would be ashamed to bring a child to. We are talking about things that if it were to happen in the well of this Chamber, many of us would look away because we would be shocked at the gratuitous violence. To characterize this as a cultural norm that we should just walk away from is a misrepresentation, in my view. It is not persuasive to me. It is wrong. It is wrong if it happens in the 50 States, it is wrong if it happens in the territories, and we ought not be complicit in it. The notion that this is going to drive this activity underground is a hackneyed old argument. We heard that before as it relates to the 50 States. That wasn't persuasive. We know what this activity is. We ought not be complicit in it. Mr. Chairman, we should pass this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, although I don't like what she is about to say, in courtesy, I yield 1 minute to the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight).

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chair, I will yield myself 30 seconds because I have got to watch this clock sort of tight. So here is the situation: Animal fighting is inappropriate and wrong no matter where it happens. It is against the law in the continental United States, and, I should say, in all 50 States, and what we are proposing is to make that a standard in the territories as well. There are some elements of animal fighting that is illegal in territories, but not altogether. This has been a long journey. It is a 40-year journey in this country. It reached a crescendo about 10 years ago when a standard was created in all 50 States. What this amendment does, Mr. Chairman, is very simple: it proposes to do the same thing in the territories. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ecolab, Inc. on winning the World Environment Center's (WEC) 34th Annual Gold Medal Award. The WEC Gold Medal is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition for commitment to the practice of sustainable development. This week, Doug Baker, the chairman and CEO of Ecolab, Inc., will receive on behalf of the company the WEC's Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. Ecolab, Inc. was selected because of its commitment to global water conservation, and its development of tools that demonstrate the value of water and reveal water-related risks so customers can make better informed decisions. Together, these innovations are helping customers improve water and energy use while preserving natural resources. Notably, the company helped customers conserve 171 billion gallons of water in 2017, and aims for 300 billion gallons of water conserved annually by 2030. Ecolab, Inc. is an international leader in advancing global water stewardship through partnerships aimed at conserving natural resources. Ecolab, Inc. partners with non-governmental organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy to help advance water conservation and stewardship initiatives throughout the world. Ecolab, Inc. has also demonstrated international leadership as a founding partner of the Alliance for Water Stewardship's Water Stewardship Standard, a globally consistent and locally adaptable framework to inform decisions and to promote sustainable freshwater use. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in celebrating this special occasion and congratulating Ecolab, Inc. on winning the WEC's Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Brian Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Barrington 220 Community Unit School District in Barrington, Illinois. On April 12, 2018 it was announced that Dr. Harris was elected to serve on the executive committee of AASA, American Association of School Administrators. This July, Dr. Harris will be sworn in as an executive committee member and will serve a three-year term. Founded in 1865, ASAA advocates for equitable access for all students to the highest quality education, and develops and supports school system leaders. Dr. Harris has been a member of AASA, as well as the Illinois Association of School Administrators since 2010. He has also been a member of the AASA governing board since 2014. Prior to joining Barrington 220 as the Superintendent of Schools in 2014, he served as Superintendent of Schools for Community Unit School District 200 in the Wheaton/Warrenville, Illinois area and Assistant Principal at Barrington Middle School's Station campus. As the leader of one of the top school districts in Northern Illinois, Dr. Harris is well-prepared to serve on the executive committee, where he will bring over 30 years of experience and expertise in education to the national level. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in recognizing Dr. Brian Harris for his outstanding leadership and being elected to serve on the executive committee of the American Association of School Administrators.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mrs. Lisa Buchholz, a first grade teacher at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for being awarded with the prestigious 2018 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership. This honor is bestowed on those teachers in recognition of their contributions to building a stronger, better-educated society. Every year since 1986, Golden Apple has chosen 10 outstanding teachers to receive the award. Award recipients are nominated by their fellow educators, students, parents and community leaders. The 2018 award recipients were selected over 650 nominations, highlighting Mrs. Buchholz's worthiness. Over the course of 27 years in the classroom, Mrs. Buchholz has encouraged thousands of students to strive for the highest of standards and to expect more of themselves and each other every day. It is no coincidence that as a result of her leadership many of her students adopt an ``I can'' attitude in school and life. According to a former- Golden Apple recipient who reviewed Mrs. Buchholz's nomination, ``It's like you can tell the magic and the chemistry the minute you walk into her classroom.'' Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me to recognize Mrs. Lisa Buchholz for her outstanding leadership in teaching and congratulate her on being awarded with a 2018 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elgin, Illinois native Jeff Swoboda on being named Chief of Police for the Department of Police Services in Fort Collins, Colorado. After 25 years of service to the Elgin Police Department, Chief Swoboda is well-prepared to move into the next season of his life and lead the Fort Collins Police Services. Since joining the Elgin Police Department in 1992, Chief Swoboda worked his way up the ranks and was named Chief of Police in 2010. Early on in his career, he spent 5 years as an officer for the Resident Officer Program of Elgin. After his time in the Resident Officer Program, Chief Swoboda went on to attain the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Deputy Chief. After exceeding expectations and standing out as first-class leader, Chief Swoboda was named the Elgin Police Department's Chief of Police on April 16, 2010. Chief Swoboda's passion for excellence and his ability to hold those in the department to the highest level of accountability has not only been noticed by the residents in Elgin, but it has also caught the attention of community leaders across the country. When the Fort Collins, Colorado Department of Police Services began their search for a new Chief of Police, Chief Swoboda stood out as someone ready to take on the new responsibilities and was seemingly made for the job. On April 5, 2018, after an exhaustive hiring process, Chief Swoboda was named Chief of Police for the Department of Police Services in Fort Collins, Colorado. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in congratulating Jeff Swoboda on being named the Chief of Police for the Department of Police Services in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Representative Patti Bellock of Hinsdale, Illinois. Representative Bellock has served as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, representing the 47th district since 1998, and has been a champion for victims of domestic violence. On Saturday, April 28, Representative Bellock will be recognized by Family Shelter Services, which works to combat domestic violence in DuPage County, and provides relief and support to victims from all walks of life. Representative Bellock is being recognized for her constant support of the agency's mission, advocacy for tougher laws on domestic violence and efforts to keep Family Shelter Services funded in whole. During Representative Bellock's time in the Illinois General Assembly, she has been a strong voice for victims of domestic violence and tougher laws on domestic violence. Representative Bellock is a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force and has received national attention for her leadership in passing the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). GATA eliminates duplicative grant requirements and reduces administrative burdens for agencies, while increasing accountability and transparency throughout the process. GATA provides relief and support to agencies like Family Shelter Services, allowing them to best serve communities in need. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and thanking Representative Patti Bellock for her tireless work advocating for victims of domestic violence and tougher laws on domestic violence.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Oregon for his support, and I yield back the balance of my time.