Political Quotes

“I, too, rise today in strong support of this bipartisan bill that extends several key Medicaid programs, H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019. Mr. Speaker, this is a bill that strengthens the healthcare safety net for our communities and provides long-term certainty for patients. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Chairman Frank Pallone of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for his partnership and willingness to work in good faith on both sides of the aisle to get this done. We passed a short-term extension of these programs back in March, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that patients were still protected as we ironed out the details. Today, we are delivering the long-term deal that I know we all wanted all along. A big priority of mine in this package is the 2-year extension of the Excellence in Mental Health demonstration program at CMS. Eight States, including my home State of Oregon, are currently participating in this pilot program, which is designed to increase access to mental health and substance use treatment services. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Oregon AFSCME Council 75. Oregon AFSCME Council 75, June 18, 2019. Members of the Oregon Delegation, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.…”