Fred Upton

I want to thank my friend and colleague, Mike Pompeo, for spearheading this commonsense bill.

With the federal debt at an all-time high, closing in on $17 trillion and states being hamstrung by their exploding budgets, the Medicaid program will be increasingly scrutinized over the next 10 years.

Surprising to most, Medicaid today covers more Americans than any other government-run health care program, including Medicare.

Reform must ensure the path forward for a modern Medicaid program that is strong enough to face the challenging realities of scare federal and state resources.

I want to thank Chairman Pitts for his leadership on this issue and want to welcome today's witnesses.

The Medicare Part B drug program is essential to our nation's seniors, especially those who are battling cancer.

We owe it to our seniors to evaluate the effectiveness of Medicare and suggest improvements to the program.

This is a timely hearing on a topic of great importance to both U.S. companies and the public at large.

This is not only creating significant uncertainty in the market, but it also undermines our ability to compete fairly in India and our willingness to invest there.

We also need to allow renewable energy to be a part of the mix.

But it is happening, and can continue to happen if we have the right policies in place.

This is an exciting time for energy policy and for the possibilities created by our growing domestic energy abundance.

It is an exciting time for energy policy and for the possibilities created by our domestic energy abundance.

America's energy landscape is indeed changing for the better, creating opportunities for jobs, economic growth, energy security.

The cumbersome federal approval process is out of step with where we are as an energy-producing nation today.

Federal laws and regulations that are stuck in the past could devastate newfound opportunity.

America's energy landscape is changing for the better, creating opportunities for jobs, economic growth, energy security, and an enhanced standing around the world.

The president's energy budget doubles-down on the failed policies of the last four years.

It has been over 30 years since Congress enacted the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977.

I think it is an important exercise to be required to periodically examine that law.

Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans remain committed to modernizing the Medicaid program so that it is protected for our poorest and sickest citizens.

Instead of allowing state and local officials the flexibility to best administer Medicaid to fit the needs of their own populations, improve care, and reduce costs, the federal government has created an extensive, 'one-size fits-all' maze…

My hope is that this morning's hearing is the next step in discussing the need for reform so that we can come together in finalizing policies that improve care for our most vulnerable citizens.

The program does need true reform, and we can no longer tinker around the edges with policies that add on to the bureaucratic layers that decrease access, prohibit innovation and fail to provide better health care for the poor.

I would like to thank Ranking Members Waxman and Pallone for their leadership and continued interest in exploring SGR reform.