Mimi Walters

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked hard to make this monumental first step in removing a decades-old barrier. Currently the law prohibits Medicaid beneficiaries aged 21 to 64 from receiving care in an institution for mental disease, or IMD. This prohibition was set into law in the 1960s, long before the opioid crisis, and the time to repeal it in a targeted manner is now. Now is the time, because 115 Americans are dying each day from opioid-related deaths. Now is the time, because on average, 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for opioid misuse. I am happy to work with my colleagues on expanding addiction treatment services, but that should not distract from what we are considering today: increasing access to specialized inpatient treatment for the most vulnerable in society who are struggling with an opioid addiction. We are helping to ensure that people get the care they need in the midst of this crisis, and most importantly, it will save lives. A recent MACPAC report clearly stated that the Medicaid IMD exclusion acts as a barrier for individuals with an opioid use disorder and is one of the few instances in Medicaid where Federal financial participation cannot be used for medically necessary and otherwise covered services for a specific Medicaid enrollee population receiving treatment in a specific setting. The IMD CARE Act is vital to helping our communities end the opioid epidemic by removing that barrier. This bill provides for a targeted repeal of the IMD prohibition. The bill gives States a quicker alternative than Medicaid waivers to provide this much needed care. This bill was carefully crafted to ensure that patients are not being held in IMDs for longer than necessary and the bill also includes an offset. For these reasons, the National Governors Association and the American Hospital Association support the bill. Numerous stakeholder groups have identified the IMD exclusion repeal as one of the most significant reforms we can make to end the opioid crisis. This is such a critical first step. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this motion to recommit and to vote ``yes'' on final passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the motion.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my point of order.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), my colleague, for offering this amendment to H.R. 5797. This amendment seeks to add several components to a State report that is included in H.R. 5797. I appreciate Mr. Kildee's work on this amendment. I think that this information would be valuable, and I am happy to accept the amendment. However, I want to note that we will need to talk to States about the information this amendment would have, and then report. Changes may have to be made, depending on that feedback. I am committed to working out the technical details of the amendment as we move into conference. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chair, the opioid crisis requires us to act now. The IMD exclusion is consistently identified as a significant barrier to care by State Medicaid directors and numerous other stakeholder groups. We need to pass this bill in order to increase access to acute, short-term inpatient treatment. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help individuals suffering with opioid addiction. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the opioid epidemic is ravaging this Nation. Families have been torn apart; lives have been destroyed; and communities are endangered. This crisis does not discriminate. Americans from all walks of life in all 50 States are being held hostage by the scourge of opioids. Tragically, the opioid epidemic claims the lives of 115 Americans on average each day. In my home of Orange County, California, 361 people died from opioid overdoses in 2015. That accounts for a 50 percent increase in overdose deaths since 2006. According to the OC Health Care Agency's 2017 ``Opioid Overdose and Death in Orange County'' report, the rate of opioid-related emergency room visits increased by more than 140 percent since 2005. Between 2011 and 2015, Orange County emergency rooms treated nearly 7,500 opioid overdose and abuse cases. We can put an end to these tragic statistics by providing full access to various treatment options to those seeking help with their addictions. While many of these patients may benefit from outpatient help, others need highly specialized inpatient treatment to ensure they are receiving the most clinically appropriate care. The IMD CARE Act will increase access to care for certain Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder who need the most intensive care possible: inpatient care. Current law prohibits the Federal Government from providing Federal Medicaid matching funds to States to provide mental disease care to Medicaid-eligible patients aged 21 to 64 in facilities defined as institutes of mental diseases, commonly known as IMDs. This IMD exclusion means that Federal dollars may not be provided for the care of Medicaid-eligible patients in this age group for substance use disorder treatments at hospitals, nursing facilities, or other institutions with more than 16 beds. It is time to repeal the IMD exclusion and remove this outdated barrier to inpatient treatment. The IMD CARE Act would allow States to repeal for 5 years the IMD exclusion for adult Medicaid beneficiaries who have an opioid use disorder, which includes heroin and fentanyl. These beneficiaries would receive treatment in an IMD for up to 30 days over a 12-month period, during which time the beneficiary would be regularly assessed to ensure their treatment and health needs require inpatient care. The bill would also require the IMD to develop an outpatient plan for the individual's ongoing treatment upon discharge. Throughout the Energy and Commerce Committee's work on the opioid crisis, the IMD exclusion is consistently identified as a significant barrier to care for Medicaid patients. Not every patient needs treatment in an IMD, but those who do are often among the most vulnerable. What once was a well-intended exclusion on Federal Medicaid spending has since prevented individuals from seeking treatment. In the light of the opioid epidemic, I believe my legislation strikes the right balance. I know some have suggested States continue to seek CMS waivers to allow Medicaid to pay for IMD care. Waivers can be a good option for some States, but not all States want a waiver. In fact, less than half of the States have applied for a waiver. Additionally, a waiver can take a substantial amount of time to develop, review, and approve. We are losing too many friends and family members to force States to navigate a lengthy and uncertain waiver process. The IMD CARE Act allows States to act now to ensure patients who are suffering from addiction get the care they need. The National Governors Association and the American Hospital Association have endorsed this legislation. Other organizations, such as the National Association of State Medicaid Directors and the National Association of State Mental Health Directors, have supported the idea of Congress addressing the IMD. While the repeal of the IMD exclusion would increase mandatory outlays and add costs to the Medicaid system, the IMD CARE Act is fully paid for by curbing unnecessary Federal and State Medicaid outlays. I want to thank Chairman Walden and my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee for their support of this bill, which will provide much needed care to Americans suffering from opioid use disorder. Through the IMD CARE Act, Congress has a unique opportunity to remove a barrier to care and bring specialized treatment to Medicaid patients who desperately need it. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to support this important bill today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 5797.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4684, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act. Mr. Speaker, as the opioid epidemic grows, so does the need for legitimate addiction treatment facilities. Southern California is home to more than 1,100 licensed facilities and countless unlicensed sober living homes, many of which have engaged in activities that exploit patients and endanger communities. Some facilities engage in patient brokering while others fail to treat the underlying cause of addiction, putting patients at risk of relapse. Mr. Speaker, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish best practices for sober living homes to ensure patients receive high- quality care. This bill would put an end to fraudulent behavior and unethical practices conducted by some sober living homes while helping those struggling with addiction rebuild and reclaim their lives. I thank my fellow Californian, Congresswoman Chu, for her work on this important issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018. At the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station just south of my district, 1,800 tons of spent nuclear fuel sits along the Pacific coastline. This spent nuclear fuel must be moved for safety and environmental reasons, but also out of fairness to American taxpayers. To date, California ratepayers have contributed more than $2 billion to the Nuclear Waste Fund, with the promise those funds would help establish a permanent storage facility. H.R. 3053 authorizes interim storage, a necessary step to move spent nuclear fuel out of our communities and into interim storage facilities, until a permanent storage solution is established. Mr. Chair, I speak on behalf of my constituents, who say the time to fix this problem is now. The Federal Government owes it to the American people to fulfill its obligation and take ownership of spent fuel. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3053.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in our effort to raise awareness for the growing opioid epidemic in America, particularly in the State of California. In 2016, nearly 5,000 Californians died of opioid overdoses. Astonishingly, the year before, 122 million prescription opioid pills were dispensed in Orange County. Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow this cycle of opioid abuse and death to continue, which is why Congress must work together to end the epidemic. I proudly supported recently enacted legislation that provides $4 billion of prevention, treatment, and law enforcement programs that help address this growing crisis. Ending the opioid epidemic starts at home. On April 28, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives Americans the opportunity to safely dispose of their excess prescription drugs, including opioids. This effort can reduce the possibility that these pills will find their way onto our streets. There is still work to be done, but I am confident that together we can end the opioid crisis in this country.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of Americans will see an increase in take-home pay because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Under this new law, a typical middle-income family of four will see an average tax cut of over $2,000. Those cuts will vary from State to State. In California, a family of four will see a cut of $2,840, and in New York, $3,129. Individuals and families will take this money and put it toward their retirements, mortgage payments, or college savings. There are over 400 Chipotle locations in California. In fact, California has the most Chipotle restaurants in the country. Since the Tax Cuts and Job Act passed, Chipotle is providing hourly and salaried workers with bonuses up to $1,000 or a stock grant. The company is also improving employee benefits and has announced plans to provide additional paid parental leave. These bonuses and increased benefits make a big difference in people's lives. Chipotle also plans to spend $50 million to renovate its stores. This means opportunities for construction companies and numerous small subcontractors, which will invigorate local economies, including my home of Orange County. Tax reform is spurring the free market economy to provide opportunity and an increased standard of living for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, according to a recent survey, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has significantly improved the economic outlook for small businesses. The survey recorded historic highs in the small business confidence index, showing that support for tax reform is growing within the small business community. In fact, small businesses have rallied around the new tax policy, with over half of the country's small-business owners viewing the law as having a positive effect on their business. Nearly half of small businesses expect to see immediate tax benefits this year. Small businesses are the leading job creators in our country and are the engines of economic growth. Mr. Speaker, McDonald's is one of the largest employers in California, with over 1,000 locations. Following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, McDonald's announced plans to contribute $150 million to cover tuition costs, expanding its current Archways to Opportunity education program. Nearly 400,000 employees are eligible for benefits that can be used toward college or trade school. McDonald's now offers $2,500 per year in tuition benefits for crew members, and $3,000 per year in tuition benefits for store managers. Thousands of McDonald's employees will benefit from this enhanced program, and it is thanks to tax reform that companies like McDonald's are able to do more to empower their employees. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock), a fellow Californian and a member of the House Budget Committee, who represents the Fourth District of California.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham), my friend and colleague, and a member of the House Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, who represents the 10th District of California.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Collins), a fellow member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Representative of the 27th District of New York.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney), a member of the House Financial Services Committee and the Representative of New York's 22nd District.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), my friend and a member of the Committee on Agriculture and the representative of California's 21st District.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, in February, Congressman Paul Mitchell of Michigan and I established the Tax Reform Truth Tellers series to combat the misinformation being spread about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Today I had the distinct honor of joining my colleagues from the great States of California and New York to talk about the benefits this historic tax reform bill is having on our communities and local economies. When it comes to taxes, our two States have something in common: some of the highest State tax rates in the country. My district in Orange County, California, is home to great people, beautiful weather, and a rich history, but it is also located in the highest taxed State in the Nation. It is my duty to find ways to help my constituents build and achieve their American Dream, whether it is opening a small business, sending their children to college, or saving for retirement. Unfortunately, high taxes can prevent these dreams from becoming a reality. While the State legislatures in Sacramento and Albany keep placing crushing tax burdens on their residents, congressional Republicans take action to lower the Federal tax burden on hardworking Americans and job creators in our districts. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did just that by lowering rates and restoring the ability of American companies to compete globally. For too long, our Tax Code was broken. It imposed high tax rates on families, individuals, and small businesses; it was full of special interest loopholes; it contained a tax structure that encouraged companies to ship jobs overseas; and individuals, families, and job creators spent nearly 9 billion hours each year preparing their taxes, which cost the economy $400 billion in lost productivity. Last December, we addressed those issues and fixed our outdated Tax Code when we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This legislation lowers rates for nearly every taxpayer, doubles the standard deduction for individual and joint filers, and maintains popular deductions that will help working families in cities like Irvine, Mission Viejo, and Tustin. When the new withholding rates took effect in February, Orange County residents saw their take-home pay increase. Now, families and individuals are rightfully keeping more of their hard-earned paychecks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has also encouraged economic growth and job creation. Since the tax reform package was signed into law, our economy has experienced its most robust growth rate since 2005, consumer and manufacturing confidence are near record highs, and just last month, the U.S. economy experienced its strongest month of job growth in nearly 2 years. Over 500 companies have given their employees new benefits, like pay raises, bonuses, and increased matching 401(k) contributions. In the last 3 months, 4 million American workers have received bonuses. Furthermore, the National Association for Business Economics has increased its 2018 economic growth projections to nearly 3 percent. This positive economic news is a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Mr. Speaker, the results of tax reform are exceeding our expectations, especially in my district. Some were concerned about the potential ramifications this bill would have on Orange County, but in the last few months, our community and local economy has flourished. Orange County residents are keeping more of their paychecks, allowing them to spend and invest their own money as they see fit; after all, it is their money, not the government's. Local businesses are benefiting, allowing them to create jobs and provide higher wages for their employees. One example is the Walt Disney Company, Orange County's largest employer and the place where I held my first job as a senior in high school. With their savings under the new Tax Code, Disney gave each of its 125,000 employees a $1,000 cash bonus. Disney also established a new higher education initiative that will cover tuition costs for hourly employees. STERIS, a medical device company, has several facilities throughout the State of California, including one in Tustin. Following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, STERIS gave its employees a $1,000 bonus. Throughout the country, millions of Americans are benefiting from tax reform, and STERIS is an example of a company making those benefits a reality for my constituents in Tustin, California. These Orange County companies reflect just a small sampling of the success the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is having across the Nation. Today, my colleagues from California and New York will share their stories from their districts about how their communities and local economies are thriving due to the new tax law. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), a United States Army veteran, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and a representative of California's 25th District.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the topic of my Special Order.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, It is my honor to rise today in recognition of the 130th Anniversary of the City of Orange, California. Incorporated on April 6, 1888, Orange was once home to a population of less than 1,000 people. Since then, it has become home to world-class institutions and award- winning schools. The Children's Hospital of Orange County and UC Irvine Medical Center are located in Orange, where they serve the local community and families throughout Southern California. It also boasts 25 Gold Ribbon schools with a nearly 98 percent graduation rate. Much has changed over the last 130 years, yet Old Towne Orange remains a living time capsule of this community's humble beginnings. As the antique capital of Southern California, thousands of visitors come each year to see the plaza's traditional architecture and enjoy one of the best Main Streets in the Nation. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the community members who live there, the City of Orange has preserved its unique charm and has rightfully earned its place in the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Speaker, Orange is an invaluable cornerstone of Orange County and an important economic driver for our region. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the City of Orange on its 130th anniversary.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.