today I rise to honor and remember the full life of Marlene ``Linny'' Fowler for her exceptional service to her community, commonwealth and country. Marlene was born in New York City, the oldest child of Harold and Miriam Oberkotter…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet February 25, 2013. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Foreign Relations

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 25, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. in The President's Room off the Senate floor. The PRESIDING…

as I have every year since I came to the Senate, I rise to commemorate Black History Month. This year, we are privileged to recognize Bill Strickland, a man whose approach is unique and whose accomplishments are of great consequence to…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 25, 2013. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Small Business and…

I think it is critically important that the chairman and ranking member have planned this hearing, because we have to make sure that this works.

On the communication part of this with regard to consumers, is that something you can comment on?

Your intention is to make sure it is tailored. Do you feel that you have the kind of flexibility and the resources to be able to do that?

I think the administration is deviating severely from the normal rulemaking process, and it is a real problem with regard to the stakeholders.

My time is running out and I was late, so I do not want to go over time.

If you are confirmed, will you ensure the robust enforcement of the sanctions provisions that we have given to the President?

I join Senator Bennet and others in expressing gratitude.

His commitment to guarantee that health care is available for everyone is a model for all of us.

We were successful in that.

Our child advocates always remind us that in the context of health care and otherwise, children are not small adults.

I just want to thank you for calling this hearing. It is a critically important issue, and we are grateful that you did the work.

Ensuring an adequate health care workforce is an issue that is important to Pennsylvania.

CMS must attend to mental health needs better in both Medicare and Medicaid.

It would be helpful for CMS to specifically State that the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC: 0-3R) be accepted by States as an acceptable system for diagnosing infants and young…

I am pleased that President Obama recently committed to finalizing the mental health parity regulations.

We have made progress in the last few years: we passed the mental health parity law, requiring health insurers to cover mental health benefits at the same level as other medical benefits.

Thank you for your explanation of Mental Health First Aid and the valuable role it can play in identifying individuals with mental illness and referring them to appropriate care.

Approximately 28 percent of the NIMH budget was devoted to pediatric research in mental health in fiscal year 2011.

Individuals with mental illnesses tend to have lower incomes, higher health care expenditures, and are more likely to be enrolled in public insurance programs like Medicaid.

What is needed most is increased investment in treatment services.