Joe Pitts

At the end of this month, Medicaid will turn 50 years old.

Policymaking is about setting priorities and making choices.

This bill rightly recognizes our imminent need for a comprehensive national strategy to address prenatal opioid abuse and NAS.

I want to also thank Rep. Katherine Clark for her leadership on this critical and timely issue.

H.R. 1462, the Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015, authored by Representatives Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Steve Stivers of Ohio...

H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act, introduced by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey and Doris Matsui of California...

These bipartisan bills that are the subject of today's hearing represent our ongoing effort to work together to strengthen public health.

Today's hearing will examine three bipartisan public health bills to improve health care for newborns, infants and children.

Would it make more sense for CMS to stop spending money on the low-priority items, and free-up more Federal dollars for better oversight and direct care for patients?

One of the worries that I and many of my colleagues have is that the Medicaid Program too often promises coverage, but effectively denies care.

I hope that going forward, CMS is going to learn from the hoops that they made Indiana jump through.

Something needs to change in this process.

This committee has a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars used for Medicaid are spent in a manner that promotes its core objectives and helps the most vulnerable patients.

CMS has a responsibility to Medicaid patients, to States, to taxpayers, to be transparent with their criteria for approving or disapproving State demonstrations.

It is unfortunate that CMS declined to participate in this important hearing, despite our best efforts.

GAO's findings raise significant questions about the degree to which the administration is consistently complying with its own criteria.

The administration and Congress have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars used for Medicaid are spent in a manner that promotes its core objectives.

Medicaid is a lifeline for some of our Nation's most vulnerable patients.

At this time, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a valued member of our Health Subcommittee.

It is our job as policymakers, particularly as it relates to the public health, to establish a factually and scientifically sound foundation prior to taking any action that would impact consumers and our economy.

I want to commend Representative Mike Pompeo and Representative Butterfield for their leadership on these issues

Without objection, ordered.

Today's Health Subcommittee hearing will examine the legislation authored by our colleague, Rep. Tim Murphy, H.R. 2646.

Today's Health subcommittee hearing will examine the legislation authored by our colleague, Representative Tim Murphy.

I look forward to the testimony today.