Henry Waxman

It seems just logical, and we should expect that that is going to happen if we are going to delay payments just to delay payments when we don't it anywhere else and there is no reason to delay it.

Congress would be outreached if anyone proposed delaying payments to Medicare physicians for 90 days for a service provided.

We all agree that Medicaid should not pay for care that someone else is liable for, and the statute has protections to ensure that States can recoup when other parties are liable financially.

We must end the annual extender roller coaster and ensure this coverage is secure going forward.

I am generally supportive of these public health programs, but I do want to note my reservations about extending the Abstinence Only program.

I hope we can get it across the finish line and let us get this job done.

I have heard a great deal from family doctors and pediatricians about the Medicaid primary care bonus.

The law was changed in December to say that States must delay payments to those providers for up to 90 days while they chase other potential sources of payment.

But I fear this new policy is much too restrictive. Would you commit to thinking through the concerns that we are raising today with your colleagues, and to consider making changes to the policy to address these concerns?

When Congress requests documents, we should get those documents.

Well, I have serious questions about allowing individual Commissioners to object to producing specific documents to Congress.

Chairman Macfarlane, do you acknowledge this committee's constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the Executive Branch?

And do you concede that in the absence of a claim of Executive Privilege, the NRC has no legal basis to withhold requested nonpublic documents from Congress?

I want to use my opening remarks to comment on a really bad idea.

So you would think that it would be appropriate for Congress to address this gap in authority?

It is lacking now in the legislation.

I believe to an extent under the 215 because there are physical standards for data centers and some that are part of the cyber standards.

I think you are right to make that a priority.

Yet, it is clear that the electric grid is not adequately protected from physical or cyber attacks.

The Nation's critical infrastructure and defense installations simply cannot function without electricity.

I know of no union supporting this bill, nor do I think the Northeast ratepayers said in their letter where they expressed their concern about the supplies where there is a very cold spell, that they want this bill either. I am pleased at…

I am pleased at this time to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), a very important member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Congress came together to enact the Public Safety Inspector Act last year, delivering on one of the last remaining recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

It is critical that this committee continues its focus on public health issues since our actions in the public health arena have such a far-reaching effect on the Nation's health.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.