Michelle Lujan Grisham

But certainly none in my region, which has the highest consistent cases...

I would disagree. I think you do know.

I appreciate that we are having what I consider sort of two bites at the apple to start to look at disability cases and the system that Social Security has in place to review those cases.

Congress needs to fully invest in reducing the backlog.

We need strong oversight mechanisms.

I agree that anybody who wants to work should have the opportunity to work.

Does that deter legitimate claimants from appealing their cases and receiving benefits?

But I have plenty of practice with that situation where you are trained to deny up front, because that is one way to manage resources, no question.

I know that you're aware that we have one of the most significant disability and behavioral health problems in the country per capita.

I want accountability not only from the claimant level, from everybody who's making decisions in the Social Security system...

And like every Member here, I certainly want a system that's objective and fair.

Medicare is an incredibly complex system and the reality is that, if we don't start dealing up front with the Medicare complexities, we are not--we can chase this all day long and go from one extreme to the other and we are going to find…

I would certainly make the statement that, and you've heard this, or heard this theme, I think, throughout this hearing, we have providers who would differ with you about these administrative burdens and whether 14 percent is reasonable in…

We've now--with the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, we've recently announced that we're going to suspend the ability of providers to have their appeals heard by administrative law judges

The due process system is clearly broken

Our job is to make sure that every tax dollar is being used the way it was intended

If a provider or a supplier is forced to cut back services or close its doors as a result of a RAC audit, I think this is a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Reducing waste and fraud and abuse in the Medicare program is critically important, not only to protect taxpayer funds.

I would really appreciate if you would think about that, respond to me and the Committee.

In fact, while the drought has been occurring for decades, we are in the 4th consecutive year of the most severe drought we have ever experienced.

I certainly can appreciate that and recognize, given that we have our own natural gas exploration issues in New Mexico.

It is also clear to me that the natural gas revolution has national security implications.

In my State, I am from New Mexico, the energy industry is certainly critical to our economic success.

I think a little bipartisan work, Mr. Chairman, on these issues would be a very good thing.

I found it to be the most confusing, difficult, ineffective effort of any program I have ever been associated with and was quite disappointed, and still am.