March 16, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E391 members and their families live in housing the HONORING MS. KATHY ALJOE icaid Services (CMS) DSH policy as a viola- Navy obtained when Ft. Sheridan and Naval tion of the Medicare statute. In CMS’ 2000 policy statement announcing the inclusion Air Station Glenview, located well away from HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS of certain expansion population individuals North Chicago, were closed in the 1990’s. OF TEXAS in the DSH formula, CMS stated that these These former bases are located within the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES individuals would only be included in the DSH calculation prospectively. Hospitals boundaries of other school districts—districts Thursday, March 16, 2006 that bear the economic cost of educating chil- challenged the prospective nature of the pol- icy and were awarded compensation for pa- dren from a base, but receive none of the eco- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and commitment of Ms. tients treated prior to 2000. nomic benefits a base provides. Thus, it is vi- At the recommendation of CMS, Congress Kathy Aljoe of Flower Mound, Texas. Ms, tally important that we both ensure North Chi- included a provision in the DRA ratifying Aljoe’s zealous and passionate spirit towards cago continues to receive heavily impacted the 2000 policy and its prospective applica- community service warrants recognition. Re- payments for the benefit of students living tion. Tennessee hospitals expressed concern cently, she retired as the town’s longest- that court decisions directing CMS to pay there, and that the surrounding communities tenured employee after 31 years of service. retroactively could be appealed with the new are more fairly compensated for their loss of Kathy Aljoe started working for the City of law. During the reconciliation process, how- property taxes. Flower Mound on July 16, 1975 as an admin- ever, CMS continually assured Congressional staff verbally, and by electronic communica- Mr. Speaker, we cannot abdicate our re- istrative assistant to the town manager. When tion, that hospitals which had been success- sponsibility towards our military families. I Ms. Aljoe started working for Flower Mound, ful in litigation would still receive payment. have already introduced a bill this Congress, she was one of only seven town employees— CMS asserted that the new provision would H.R. 390, the Government Reservation Accel- Flower Mound only had 1,600 residents, The not affect decided cases and would only be erated Development for Education Act town now has grown to 62,000 residents, and applied prospectively. Kathy has had her hand in many parts of the In its Motion, however, HHS cites the DRA (GRADE–A), to fully fund the Impact Aid pro- as support for the reversal of the Cookeville gram. However, the situation in my district development throughout her career, in par- decision. There is no mention that the regu- warrants special attention. In order to ensure ticular with the planning services division. Ms. lation should only apply prospectively. In that our students most in need continue to re- Aljoe’s work has been so influential, that the fact, HHS’ position suggests that recalcula- Town of Flower Mound has announced Feb- tion of the DSH formula should not have ceive necessary resources, I have introduced ruary 24th as Kathy Aljoe Day. been required. Congress intended that this a new bill to help North Chicago remain quali- Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I provision would only be used prospectively. fied for heavily impacted payments, and Glen- stand here today to recognize Ms. Kathy Thus, hospitals that had been successful in litigation prior to passage of the DRA would view and Highland Park receive fair com- Aljoe, who has dedicated her career to her pensation. still receive payment. Considering the argu- community. Ms. Aljoe’s admirable commitment ment made by HHS rests upon the DRA, and By passing this bill, the federal government to the Town of Flower Mound is greatly appre- that it was our understanding that this pro- will be fulfilling its responsibility to these com- ciated. I am honored to represent her in Con- vision would not be used to appeal decided munities, and giving our military families the gress, and I hope that others will follow in her cases, we request further explanation of steps of service to their community. what we believe to be a serious support they deserve. I urge the local commu- miscommunication by CMS. nities to continue to work to come to an agree- f Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to your prompt response. ment that most importantly, takes care of our TENNESSEE CONGRESSIONAL DEL- students . Sincerely, EGATION LETTERS TO ATTOR- William H. Frist, M.D., Majority Leader, NEY GENERAL ALBERTO United States Senate, Zach Wamp, f GONZALES John Duncan, Jr., Jim Cooper, Marsha Blackburn, Harold Ford, Lamar Alex- TRIBUTE TO MINNESOTA NA- ander, William L. Jenkins, Lincoln TIONAL GUARD’S 1ST BRIGADE HON. JIM COOPER Davis, Bart Gordon, John Tanner, Mem- COMBAT TEAM OF TENNESSEE bers of Congress. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, March 16, 2006 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HON. MARK R. KENNEDY Washington, DC, March 10, 2006. Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Hon. MICHAEL O. LEAVITT, OF MINNESOTA insert into the RECORD letters that the entire Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Tennessee Congressional Delegation recently IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Human Services, Washington, DC. sent to Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of DEAR SECRETARY LEAVITT: We are writing Thursday, March 16, 2006 the United States and Michael O. Leavitt, Sec- to express our deep concern regarding the re- retary of the Department of Health and Human cent Motion filed by the Department of Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I Health and Human Services (HHS) to alter Services. These letters discuss the case of the judgment in the case of Cookeville v. express today my strong support and appre- Cookeville v. Thompson and Section 5002 of Thompson based on Section 5002 of the Def- ciation for the 2,600 soldiers of the Minnesota the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The U.S. icit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). As you will National Guard’s 1st Brigade Combat team as District Court decision in this case awarded 15 recall, the U.S. District Court decision in they prepare to depart Camp Shelby, Mis- Tennessee hospitals up to $100 million in this case awarded 15 Tennessee hospitals up sissippi for Iraq. Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital pay- to $100 million in Medicare Disproportionate ments. Share Hospital (DSH) payments. As the 1st Brigade heads overseas for their The U.S. District Court’s ruling, which is 12 month deployment, we will remember not CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, now being challenged, was based on its rejec- Washington, DC, March 10, 2006. just their service and sacrifice, but also that tion of the Centers for Medicare and Med- Hon. ALBERTO GONZALES, each and every one of these soldiers has a icaid Services (CMS) DSH policy as a viola- Department of Justice, tion of the Medicare statute. In CMS’ 2000 family who is also sacrificing for their country’s Washington, DC. policy statement announcing the inclusion security in the War on Terror. DEAR ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES: We of certain expansion population individuals are writing to express our deep concern re- Today these soldiers and their families are in the DSH formula, CMS stated that these garding the recent Motion filed by the De- individuals would only be included in the showing us their commitment to their Nation’s partment of Health and Human Services DSH calculation prospectively. Hospitals security and safety. (HHS) to alter the judgment in the case of challenged the prospective nature of the pol- Let us make sure we show them ours by Cookeville v. Thompson based on Section icy and were awarded compensation for pa- 5002 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 tients treated prior to 2000. giving them the tools and support they need to (DRA). As you will recall, the U.S. District At the recommendation of CMS, Congress do their jobs and return home quickly and Court decision in this case awarded 15 Ten- included a provision in the DRA ratifying safely. nessee hospitals up to $100 million in Medi- the 2000 policy and its prospective applica- As these brave soldiers depart over St. Pat- care Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) tion. Tennessee hospitals expressed concern payments. that court decisions directing CMS to pay ricks day, may all our prayers and the luck of The U.S. District Court’s ruling, which is retroactively could be appealed with the new the Irish be with them. May they come home now being challenged, was based on its rejec- law. During the reconciliation process, how- safely. tion of the Centers for Medicare and Med- ever, CMS continually assured Congressional

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:32 Mar 18, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16MR8.030 E16MRPT2 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS.2 E392 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 16, 2006 staff verbally, and by electronic communica- Mrs. Johnson attributes her success first to EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL AP- tion, that hospitals which had been success- God and a strong foundation from her parents, PROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DE- ful in litigation would still receive payment. and the support from her husband and chil- FENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON CMS asserted that the new provision would TERROR, AND HURRICANE RE- not affect decided cases and would only be dren. She is an active member of her church applied prospectively. where she and her husband provide lay bib- COVERY, 2006 In its Motion, however, HHS cites the DRA lical counseling for pre-marital couples. She as support for the reversal of the Cookeville enjoys reading, dancing, craft projects and SPEECH OF decision. There is no mention that the regu- lation should only apply prospectively. In decorating. fact, HHS’ position suggests that recalcula- An important question she often asks her- HON. MAJOR R. OWENS tion of the DSH formula should not have self is, what I have done today to affect others OF NEW YORK been required. Congress intended that this and make a difference. Her famous motto is provision would only be used prospectively. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thus, hospitals that had been successful in ‘‘Keep a smile on your face and let your spirit litigation prior to passage of the DRA would shine through,’’ which is often placed on her Wednesday, March 15, 2006 still receive payment. Considering the argu- staff’s schedule. ment made by HHS rests upon the DRA, and Mr. OWENS. Mr. Chairman, we should be that it was our understanding that this pro- Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent cutting off funds for the War In Iraq, not add- vision would not be used to appeal decided on this body to recognize the accomplish- ing more dollars. The billions of dollars already cases, we request further explanation of ments of Maria Johnson, as she offers her tal- appropriated are enough to sustain our troops what we believe to be a serious ents and community services for the good of until the kind of orderly withdrawal proposed miscommunication by CMS. our local communities. Thank you for your time and attention. We by Representative JOHN MURTHA is imple- look forward to your prompt response. Mr. Speaker, Maria Johnson’s selfless serv- mented. It is long past time to withdraw from William H. Frist, M.D., Majority Leader, ice has continuously demonstrated a level of a war that is sucking us deeper everyday into Zach Wamp, John J. Duncan, Jr., Jim altruistic dedication that makes her most wor- a bottomless quicksand pit of filth. To wage Cooper, Marsha Blackburn, Harold thy of our recognition today. this war this administration is trampling on vital Ford, Lamar Alexander, William L. political rights and abandoning basic moral Jenkins, Lincoln Davis, Bart Gordon, f values. To pay for this war we are cutting aid John Tanner, Members of Congress. to public housing; aid to Medicaid and Medi- f TRIBUTE TO RACHEL CORRIE care; Pell grants; aid to public education; and A TRIBUTE TO MARIA JOHNSON numerous other programs which support the general welfare of all Americans. HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS HON. CYNTHIA McKINNEY Deeply destructive public policies and prac- OF NEW YORK OF GEORGIA tices have become routine in this administra- tion as every conceivable trick is used to ra- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tionalize the war. To save the nation we must Thursday, March 16, 2006 Thursday, March 16, 2006 withdraw from Iraq and JOHN MURTHA has of- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fered the most practical scenario for achieving recognition of Maria Johnson, a member of Ms. MCKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, today is the this goal. At the heart of the Murtha proposal the Brooklyn community and a distinguished third anniversary of the murder of Rachel is the recommendation of an orderly with- member of the healthcare profession. Corrie, an American who was crushed to drawal over a six-month period. Murtha offers Mrs. Johnson has been a professional reg- death by Israel’s American-manufactured Cat- an honorable way out of a quicksand pit of istered nurse for 15 years, working in various erpillar bulldozers. Rachel was protesting the filth. JOHN MURTHA speaks with the voice of a areas of nursing, such as oncology, medical- Israeli Army’s illegal bulldozing of Palestinian soldier. He thinks with the mind of a patriot. surgical nursing, visiting nursing and intensive homes in the Gaza Strip. The Corrie family And JOHN MURTHA feels with the heart of a care, and for the past 10 years, as a public has filed suit against Caterpillar, charging it grieving mother. health school nurse in the department of with knowingly selling machines used to vio- Very definitive polls now communicate to all Health and Mental Hygiene Office of School late human rights. Health. Her passion is geared to helping and leaders the American people’s overwhelming impacting people. From the Rachel Corrie website I found a disapproval of the President and his War In Mrs. Johnson is currently a supervising link to these lyrics by Ten Foot Pole entitled, Iraq. Our constituents endorse and support the nurse for the Office of School Health in District ‘‘Rachel Corrie.’’ position of JOHN MURTHA. History will certainly 23 and 19 in Brownsville and East New York, ‘‘RACHEL CORRIE’’ illuminate and validate the courage and wis- Brooklyn. She supervises a staff of 35, con- You heard of Rachel Corrie? dom of JOHN MURTHA. But Members of Con- sisting of nurses, public health advisors and The press won’t tell her story gress should not wait for history. We Members assistants. Her goal is to provide optimal Caught between a house and bulldozer of Congress have a duty to make history, to health services to children especially in under- She found out that Israel guide the nation out of this peril and back to serviced areas. She is passionate about pro- Hates gardens and it will kill the path of progress and prosperity. There are viding public health teaching to the school Americans who help rebuild the Gaza Strip. two classes of leaders who support this ad- health community, and making a difference by Let’s pretend that everything will be OK ministration’s War In Iraq: Those who consist- upholding the standards of service. Her com- It’s not our fault let’s look the other way ently vote for the war and the endless appro- mitment to encouraging and empowering peo- And go to films or dance lessons or baseball games at night priations. And those leaders whose levels of ple to become more knowledgeable about concern are so low that they refuse, despite public health services helps public health pro- and trust elected leaders to choose right I hurt for Rachel’s father the objections of their constituents, to even fessionals develop organizational systems that take the very moderate action of becoming a work well in providing care to students. She To bury his young daughter And her belief in human goodness co-sponsor of Murtha’s well-reasoned proposal keeps her staff focused and enthusiastic so He taught her to fight violence for withdrawal. Censure or impeachment pro- that they not only see their very difficult role Now all that’s left is silence ceedings may be necessary in the future. But as the school nurse, advisor or assistant as And the memory of her dignity at this immediate moment the opportunity to just a profession, but as a purpose by which Let’s pretend . . . salvage this deteriorating situation is clearly they are driven. Two years ago, she inspired Rachel I hope you find justice or even a present in the Murtha proposal. Members her staff to create a Secret Santa for various garden where anyone can grow some food in needy children in the community. peace should co-sponsor Murtha now and let their Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of Long Island No guns, no need to fight. No poor, no black constituents know that their voices have been no white, heard. University with a Baccalaureate degree in Heaven, you deserve a break from misery nursing. She was the first nurse to be nomi- Vote first against this wasteful, destructive, nated as employee of the month in the De- Thanks to Maarten Joostens appropriation for Iraq. And then sign on as a partment of Health. ([email protected]) for these lyrics. Murtha co-sponsor.

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