Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 113 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 113 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 159 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 No. 105 Senate The Senate was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 10 a.m. House of Representatives MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 The House met at noon and was Politico with the front page headline tion and that their insurance or Medi- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- ‘‘Blumenauer’s Death Panel Bill Lives care should pay for that conversation pore (Mr. WOMACK). on.’’ with a medical professional. Unfortu- f It’s actually a terrific article by Jo- nately, today, Medicare will pay tens anne Kenen, but the terrible headline of thousands of dollars for a 93-year-old DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO about nonexistent death panels sym- man with terminal cancer to have a hip TEMPORE bolizes why, three Congresses later, we replacement who will never walk again The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- still have not helped families deal with but will not pay for a conversation fore the House the following commu- the most difficult circumstances any of with that same person and their family nication from the Speaker: us will ever encounter. to understand the circumstances they WASHINGTON, DC, This issue hit me with full force 10 face and what their options are, to un- July 22, 2013. years ago in the midst of the Terri derstand their choices and have those I hereby appoint the Honorable STEVE Schiavo case, where we watched one choices, whatever they might be, re- WOMACK to act as Speaker pro tempore on family’s tragedy turn into a national spected, known, and enforced. this day. media circus and a political spectacle This actually won’t cost us anything. JOHN A. BOEHNER, all because one 27-year-old woman The evidence is that people who know Speaker of the House of Representatives. didn’t have a conversation with her more use their information to choose f loved ones to make her wishes known wisely—very often less intense medical MORNING-HOUR DEBATE about what would she want if the un- interventions. Overall, it could actu- thinkable happened. And she was ally save money. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- caught in the terrible circumstance of Doctors are perhaps the best exam- ant to the order of the House of Janu- being in a vegetative state—brain ple. They certainly can afford medical ary 3, 2013, the Chair will now recog- dead—for 8 years with no likelihood of care. They certainly know about it. nize Members from lists submitted by recovery. Yet, because they know what works the majority and minority leaders for It’s not really unthinkable. It’s just and what doesn’t, they make their morning-hour debate. that many of us would rather not think wishes known and strategically choose The Chair will alternate recognition about it. Too rarely do we have this their health care. As a group, they ac- between the parties, with each party conversation, yet virtually every one tually end up using less medical care in limited to 1 hour and each Member of us will be in these circumstances their last year of life, but arguably other than the majority and minority with ourselves or with a loved one un- have a higher quality of life. Every- leaders and the minority whip limited able to make their wishes known about body should have the same choice as a to 5 minutes each, but in no event shall health care because of permanent or doctor. debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m. temporary incapacity. I’m in the process of visiting with f This is not just about end of life. It each and every Member of the House to could be any decision: about whether see if we can do something that will END-OF-LIFE CARE or not to amputate a leg or to have an give people the care they want that is The SPEAKER pro tempore. The operation that carries with it signifi- overwhelmingly supported by the pub- Chair recognizes the gentleman from cant risks. Who speaks for each of us lic and that won’t cost the Federal Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for 5 min- when we’re unable to speak for our- Government any net cost. utes. selves? I urge my colleagues to examine the Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I The public overwhelmingly thinks bipartisan legislation H.R. 1173, the arrived at my office this morning to a that people should have the informa- Personalize Your Care Act of 2013, that b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. H4829 . VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:11 Jul 23, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22JY7.000 H22JYPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H4830 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 22, 2013 Dr. PHIL ROE and I have introduced to We ask Your blessing upon this as- House Republicans have a plan to get help families in their time of greatest sembly and upon all to whom the au- us there. The President should take need. I think it’s worth a look. I think thority of government is given. note. it’s worth your support. Encourage the Members of this f House, O God, to use their abilities and f PRESERVING MEDICARE PATIENT talents in ways that bring righteous- HONORING TEACHERS AND ACCESS ness to this Nation and to all people. CONSTITUENTS Ever remind them of the needs of the (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given The SPEAKER pro tempore. The poor, the homeless or forgotten, and permission to address the House for 1 Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from those who live without freedom or lib- minute and to revise and extend his re- New Mexico (Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN erty. May they be instruments of jus- marks.) GRISHAM) for 5 minutes. tice for all Americans. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, this Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of May Your spirit live with them, and week the Energy and Commerce Com- New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, it is impor- with each of us, and may Your grace mittee’s Subcommittee on Health will tant that we always remember why surround us and those we love that in begin a markup on legislation to fix a we’re here and who we serve. And the all things we may be the people You problem that Congress has been strug- best way to do that is by spending time would have us be in service to this gling with for over a decade, and that’s with the people that we were elected to great Nation. fixing what’s known as the ‘‘doc fix,’’ represent. May all that is done within the peo- or the sustainable growth rate formula. The proposed legislation is bipar- For the past few days, I’ve had the ple’s House this day be for Your great- tisan. Both sides of the dais agree that honor of showing some wonderful resi- er honor and glory. this must be done, and it incorporates dents of New Mexico’s First District Amen. around our Nation’s capital, and this the feedback we’ve received from over f group includes my daughter Taylor 80 stakeholder groups. The legislation Grisham and her new family: Ian, THE JOURNAL replaces the problematic formula with an improved system to increase the Kamen, Kwane and Kaden, the Stew- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The quality of care for Medicare patients arts. Chair has examined the Journal of the while streamlining the costly and com- These people are leaders in the com- last day’s proceedings and announces plicated process in a fiscally respon- munity, they’re model citizens, they’re to the House his approval thereof. family members, and they’re longtime sible way. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Most importantly, the legislation en- friends. And today I would like to rec- nal stands approved. sures that Medicare patients will con- ognize two of these individuals for f tinue to have access to medical service. their service to New Mexico and to our By providing incentives for doctors to Nation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE continue to treat Medicare patients, Lori Drury and Maureen Salmon, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the we’re putting the health of our seniors both of whom are here today, are ex- gentleman from Texas (Mr. BURGESS) first. ceptionally talented teachers and dedi- come forward and lead the House in the I’m proud to be part of this common- cated public servants. Teachers play an Pledge of Allegiance. sense solution, and I look forward to invaluable role in our society. Creating Mr. BURGESS led the Pledge of Alle- speaking to this House more about this jobs, defending and expanding the mid- giance as follows: in the weeks to come as it works its dle class, growing the economy, and I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the way through committee. making sure everyone has a fair shot United States of America, and to the Repub- f at the American Dream, teachers di- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, rectly contribute to all of these noble indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. FIFTH UNANSWERED BENGHAZI missions.

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