Timothy Walz

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1545 offered by the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), who is the ranking member of our Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and, as importantly, a champion of policies that make sure the scourge of opioid addiction is addressed in this Congress, and is a leading expert on it. This legislation would make significant progress towards curbing substance abuse disorders and diversion of prescription medication in our veteran population. As you heard, currently, a veteran's dependent can receive a prescription for a controlled substance from a provider in the community, and then they receive the same prescription for the same controlled substance from a VA provider without either provider's knowledge of what happened. Congress, in the past, has attempted to remedy this problem but, due to confusion within the VA, was unsuccessful. I believe that Congresswoman Kuster's legislation would clear up this confusion and allow the VA to better serve both veterans and their dependents by allowing the VA and community providers to recognize and treat substance abuse disorders instead of contributing to them by unintentionally overprescribing. Mr. Speaker, I fully support this legislation. I would encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), my good friend and the ranking member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and a critical partner in serving our veterans.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), our vice ranking member of the full Committee on Veterans' Affairs and a true champion of veterans.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in passing H.R. 1545. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this piece of legislation. I want to thank the chairman personally for bringing this forward and for being very eloquent in his words on what this does. It is appropriate that it is part of this block of legislation dealing with appeals reform also. I thank the folks who have worked on this for years: Mr. Denham, Mr. Langevin, Ms. McSally, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Costello, Ms. Kuster, Mr. Higgins of New York, and Ms. Shea-Porter. As originally introduced, this bill sought to change a current requirement stipulating that initial physical examinations of those seeking to file disability claims must be conducted by the VA. It was to allow veterans to see a local doctor. Again, as the chairman so clearly pointed out, it was to relieve some of the pressure on the VA, while recognizing we have quality, ethically trustworthy physicians in the private sector who can deliver some of these services. The idea was that requiring the VA to accept private medical evidence from a qualified physician would ease the benefit process in rural communities, expedite diagnosis of disabilities, and reduce the wait times and the backlogs. This is a problem that we have been working on for many years. We introduced similar language in 2013, 2014, and 2015. I would like to thank all my fellow members, both on and off the committee, and those who are no longer in Congress for working toward this. I am especially thankful to Chairman Bost and Ms. Esty for having worked with me to tighten the scope of this bill to address the cost that the Congressional Budget Office scored it to. As it is now, the bill requires an annual report on how veterans obtain private medical evidence in support of their claim, how often it is rejected, and why. It is my hope that this data will help build our case for mandating that the VA accept all credible private medical evidence. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good and need to get started gathering this data as soon as possible. As we also work to improve the appeals process today, making it more convenient for veterans to get and submit medical evidence, this component will be important. By continuing our work on this issue, veterans will be able to complete their claims faster; start receiving the benefits that they have earned faster; and make sure that the stress you heard about with 20 years of waiting, much of that time seeing private physicians and gathering evidence to support the very claim that is being denied, this piece of legislation should make sense with that. Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone involved with this. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation, H.R. 1725. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to support H.R. 1329, as amended. The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act provides a 1-year cost-of-living adjustment for the rate of compensation for veterans with service- connected disabilities as well as the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors. As most of us know, this adjustment is tied directly to the rates of increase in Social Security benefits. Disability payments are vital to the economic well-being of most veterans, and that support should never be eroded by inflation. This bill ensures that does not happen. I thank Chairman Roe for bringing the bill to us in a totally bipartisan process, and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, as always. The names of Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Esty have been brought up a lot today. It says something about it. They are tackling issues that have lasted years. They are bringing up important issues that are going to impact the well-being of veterans. You heard them both say it. They did so in a bipartisan manner that I think serves the reputation of this House well. We sorely need more true bipartisan problem solving like this. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1329. But as we get ready to close on the final piece of seven pieces of legislation, some that have taken years, that have included diverse groups coming together to try to find solutions, you are seeing today all seven of these bills are going to pass this House. They are going to pass with overwhelmingly, if not unanimous, bipartisan support. I have stood on this floor and have expressed my displeasure and my discomfort when we don't work together. Today it is one of those pleasures to stand here and say this is what the American people expect, and this is the hard work that needs to be done. That kind of thing does not happen by chance. It usually takes one person standing at the middle of that in leadership to make it happen. I would like to thank my friend and colleague, our chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), for ensuring that veterans come before politics, veterans come before partisan differences, and that veterans legislation can be done together in a bipartisan manner. So, I thank him for that and encourage support of all of these pieces of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Paralyzed Veterans of America urging rejection of the latest version of the American Health Care Act. Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington, DC, May 3, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) urges rejection of the latest version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). PVA is the nation's only Congressionally-chartered veterans' service organization solely dedicated to representing veterans with spinal cord injury and/or disease. Consequently, we are very concerned about the conflicting information circulating about this legislation and the adverse impact it could have on our members and millions of other people with disabilities. As we understand it, the AHCA cuts $880 billion out of the Medicaid program in order to finance tax cuts that will explode the deficit and largely assist upper income individuals, corporations, and providers. The Medicaid changes are particularly devastating to people with disabilities. Under the cap and cut proposal, the federal government would no longer share in the costs of providing health care services and community services beyond the capped amount. This would eliminate the enhanced federal match for the Community First Choice Option under Medicaid that provides attendant care services in the community. Thanks to this program, many poor veterans with serious non-service- connected disabilities have been able to move from nursing homes into their communities. The AHCA also weakens Medicaid by ending the Medicaid expansion earlier and offering Medicaid block grants to states. Data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows expansion has helped thousands of veterans and their caregivers. For veterans and PVA members in particular, the AHCA continues several problematic policies of the ACA as well as troubling new provisions that could affect the ability of many veterans and their family members to afford health insurance in the private market. The underlying AHCA bill: Continues to exclude CHAMPVA beneficiaries--dependents of the most catastrophically disabled veterans--from the dependents' coverage policy up to age 26. Fails to remove the prohibition on enrollment into the VA health care system for Priority Group 8 veterans, thus denying these veterans access to the principal health care system for veterans. Denies access to tax credits making health insurance affordable to anyone eligible for a host of other federal health programs, including those ``eligible'' for coverage under Title 38 health care programs. This would prevent many veterans who may be ``eligible for'' but not enrolled in the VA health care system from accessing these tax credits intended to help people buy insurance. Not only do the changes made to the original version of the AHCA continue its failure to protect veterans and people with disabilities, they make these circumstances worse. The latest changes would allow states to seek waivers that would allow insurers to charge higher premiums to people with pre- existing conditions, including people with disabilities. The new amendments also would allow states to seek waivers from the ACA's requirement that certain essential health benefits must be provided, including crucial services for people with disabilities such as prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management. The combination of these changes would make it nearly impossible for people with pre-existing conditions to find affordable plans that cover basic health care services. Throughout these past few months, the American people have been calling for a bipartisan effort to improve the nation's health care system. Congress should heed these voices, stop its pursuit of the flawed American Health Care Act and work together through regular order to strengthen all Americans' access to affordable, high quality health care. Sincerely, Carl Blake, Associate Executive Director.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, there are many reasons that people may come to the conclusion this is not the piece of legislation for them. I would argue most egregious amongst this is the manner in which it was done. There was clearly an error made on the 7 million veterans you heard about. I do not question a single Member's commitment in here to caring for veterans. You did not do it on purpose. You did it because you had to, to meet the arcane rules of the Senate, so you stripped it out, and you will, by all intents and purposes, fix it in the Senate. For you, I would say good luck with that. But for the Members who are sitting here: Why would we not debate this? Why would we not fix it? Why would we not go through regular order so all of us would ensure there is not a loophole that would deny coverage to 7 million veterans. This is too important to rush. It is too important to make errors like this. It is darn sure too important to count on the Senate to fix it. And it was our responsibility. So here we sat with 30 seconds among 15 of us to make points that are important to the American public. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues: reject this. Come back and do it right, and provide the health care our veterans deserve.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rochester, Minnesota's Painters Local 681 on their 100th anniversary. Local 681 should be immensely proud of this achievement and of the excellent work they have done for our community over the many years. Organizing for fair pay and safe working conditions is a fundamental right of all workers, and I applaud Local 681 for building and preserving this important tradition.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of S. 544 to eliminate the sunset on the Veterans Choice Program. This bill will basically allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue spending previously appropriated resources in the Veterans Choice Program to provide direct and timely patient care to veterans. It allows the VA to charge a veteran's healthcare insurer for nonservice-connected care so that veterans aren't sent expensive medical bills, wasting time trying to figure out how to get them paid. Finally, it allows the VA to share medical information with community care providers so patient care is better coordinated. This legislation is identical to H.R. 369, which passed unanimously in our Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It includes amendments offered by members of that committee. I would like to take a moment, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate and thank the chairman of the committee for the bipartisan way that he approached this. The issue of veterans care is a passionate issue for all of us. The issue of the Choice Program arose out of the crisis in Phoenix and other places in 2014, and a sunset that needed to be addressed was handled in a professional manner. It brought all parties together. I think the chairman is going to get a unanimous vote. They have got one in the Senate. I can see that, under less steady hands, where this may have bogged down, and I appreciate the chairman's sense of urgency in getting it to this point. It puts us in a good place. So thank you for that. It also gives us the time we need to come to a bipartisan fix for the Choice Program. We know, under the Choice Program, veterans are still waiting too long to receive care. As we said, in 2014, we all supported the Choice Act because of the crisis. Throughout the country, veterans were waiting, and in some cases dying, because they were waiting for care. If we recall right, an honorable and decent man, the VA Secretary, resigned over this crisis. So this was an important issue that needed to be addressed. We passed the Choice Act so that veterans could get that care. The Choice Program was created as a temporary fix, designed to end this summer or when the VA spent the $10 billion. As the chairman said, there is about $1 billion left in Choice. With veterans still in need of care, we cannot possibly allow that to go back without addressing where it needs to go. It would be a waste of money, a waste of time, and it would make veterans' wait times even higher. The bill gives us time to rewrite the Choice Program. The bill will give us time to address all of the problems with Choice so that veterans' care is managed and coordinated with VA and community care providers and so that veterans do not have wait times. It will also make sure the money will continue to be spent on veterans' health care. I look forward to working with the chairman. As I said earlier, his steady hand and visionary leadership has gotten us to this point. It will ensure that we can figure out what the next iteration of community-based care looks like, and we can come together, bring that to the floor, and get it passed. For this reason, I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation so veterans can receive their care now while Congress continues to work to improve upon that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), my good friend and a friend of all veterans, our ranking member on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), my good friend and also a good friend of veterans, the vice ranking member of the full Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley), the ranking member of our Health Subcommittee.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. O'Rourke), my good friend, the ranking member of our Economic Opportunity Subcommittee.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining? I have two speakers to go.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa), a good friend, a new member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, someone who came to the House of Representatives and asked to serve veterans and be on the committee.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Kihuen), who has taken a keen interest in veterans' issues. I am grateful that he is here today.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to thank the chairman, the staff, and everyone who has been here. I think, of all the committees that are modeling the behavior of democracy, bipartisanship, and what our government stands for, the Veterans' Affairs Committee is one that takes that responsibility seriously. The chairman always models it. I think this is a case of that. You heard the speakers come here. This is a big issue. There may be some differences in how the delivery, long term, looks, but there is no division on getting the best and most timely care to our veterans. With that, I encourage my colleagues to support S. 544. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Chairman, as mentioned last night during general debate on the underlying bill, the VA has experienced a shortage of medical providers. This shortage impacts not only a veteran's access to care, but also the quality of care a veteran may receive. Dr. Wenstrup's amendment is smart. It would allow the VA more authority, information, and resources, all of which they need to compete with non-VA facilities. The honorable Member from Ohio has worked hard to ensure that what we are proposing with this legislation is reasonable from all sides. I am grateful for that. I do not object to the various changes he is proposing with this amendment to the timeline, to the GAO reporting deadline, and to the establishment of a recruiting database from a ``shall'' to a ``may'' authority. This is exactly what we should be doing, putting forward good pieces of legislation, making sure that the VA gets the best possible people, keeps them there, and care for our veterans. I fully support the gentleman's amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed to the amendment.