July 26, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1411 Turner has always been committed to help- increase their membership. Many generations Very simply, this legislation ensures a wom- ing others and serving God and country both of the same family play and have played in an’s legal access to birth control. through the United States Corps of Chaplains the group. Presently, 50 members between Over the past several years, there have and the American Legion and Disabled Vet- the ages of 10 and 70 march, performing with been reports of pharmacists refusing to fill pre- erans. fifes, bells, trumpets, baritones, drums and scriptions for birth control pills. I’m proud to congratulate Chaplain Turner cymbals, as well as a color guard, while wear- There have been reports in at least twenty- on this great achievement and hope he will ing distinct black and white West Point style four states across the nation including: Ari- continue his service to God, to the United uniforms. zona, Massachusetts, Washington and Mis- States and helping people in need. Congratu- Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues souri. These refusals are based on personal lations, Chaplain Turner. to join me in congratulating the members of or religious beliefs, not on legitimate medical f the Harmony Senior Drum Corps as they cele- or professional concerns related to quality of brate 125 years of providing our community patient care. In some cases, pharmacist have PERSONAL EXPLANATION with wonderful music and performances. kept and refused to transfer a prescription, re- f fused to sell over-the-counter emergency con- HON. STEVE KING traception, or given the customer false medical PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF IOWA information about the requested birth control. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pharmacists have taken it upon themselves to HON. ANNA G. ESHOO decide whose prescription they will fill and Tuesday, July 26, 2011 OF CALIFORNIA which over-the-counter medication they will Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provide. No. 634, I was not present to vote. Had I been Tuesday, July 26, 2011 This bill is particularly timely as just last present, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ week, the Institute of Medicine, IOM, rec- Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I was not f ommended that family-planning services, in- present during the rollcall votes number 630– cluding the full range of FDA-approved contra- HONORING HARMONY SENIOR 631, on June 25, 2011. I would have voted: ceptive methods, be recognized as a preven- DRUM CORPS’S 125TH ANNIVER- On rollcall vote No. 630 I would have voted tive-health service that must be covered by in- SARY ‘‘no.’’ surance plans without additional costs. On rollcall vote No. 631 would have voted This recommendation from the IOM marks ‘‘yes.’’ HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN an important first step toward near-universal OF NEW JERSEY f contraceptive coverage in America, but if IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PERSONAL EXPLANATION women are denied the actual contraceptives Tuesday, July 26, 2011 when they go to their pharmacist, having no- HON. STEVE KING cost contraceptives is rendered meaningless. Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise We must ensure that American women do not OF IOWA today to honor Harmony Senior Drum Corps, face obstacles when seeking doctor pre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a non-profit band group based in the Town of scribed, legal medications. Boonton, New Jersey, which is celebrating its Tuesday, July 26, 2011 The Access to Birth Control Act, ABC ACT, 125th anniversary this year. Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall is an important step in protecting a woman’s The Harmony Senior Drum Corps traces its No. 635, I was not present to vote. Had I been right to contraception. Birth control and emer- origins back to St. Mary’s Flute and Drum present, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ gency contraception are part of a women’s Band, organized in 1886 at Our Lady of Mount f basic health care and pharmacists should not Carmel Church in Boonton, New Jersey. Origi- have the right to interfere. nally founded as an all-male group, one of the INTRODUCTION OF THE ACCESS TO f St. Mary’s Flute and Drum Band’s most mem- BIRTH CONTROL ACT orable events was its participation in the pa- IMPROVING CONSUMER PROTEC- rade to dedicate the New Jersey State Fire- HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY TIONS FOR MEDIGAP INSURANCE men’s Home in 1900. During World War I, OF NEW YORK trumpets were added to the band and its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK name was changed to the Harmony Fife and Tuesday, July 26, 2011 OF CALIFORNIA Drum Corps when it started practicing in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Harmony Engine House in Boonton. After bells Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am were added in the 1930’s, the name was reintroducing the Access to Birth Control, Tuesday, July 26, 2011 again changed, this time to the Harmony Fife, ABC, Act in the House with Senator FRANK Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce Drum and Trumpet Corps. It was not until LAUTENBERG leading the effort in the Senate. the Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improvement 1965 that Harmony Senior Drum Corps be- Ninety-eight percent of American women Act. The legislation improves consumer pro- came the group’s official name. use birth control over the course of their life- tections in the Medigap marketplace by raising Over the years, the group has participated time. This bill ensures that any woman who the minimum percentage of premium dollars in many grand events in Boonton. The Har- would like birth control and who has a legal that must go toward medical care. I’m joined mony Senior Drum Corps has welcomed prescription or is seeking over-the-counter by my colleagues HENRY WAXMAN, Ranking home veterans from both World Wars and the emergency contraception, will be able to get it Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Com- Gulf War, played at the celebration of in a timely and convenient manner. mittee, and FRANK PALLONE, Ranking Demo- Boonton’s Centennial and the United States’ The ABC Act would make it illegal for a crat on the Energy and Commerce Health Bicentennial in 1976, and the passing of the pharmacist to refuse to return a birth control Subcommittee as original cosponsors of the Olympic Torch. Additionally, the Harmony prescription or for a pharmacist to intimidate, legislation. Senator KERRY (D–MA) is intro- Senior Drum Corps has participated in local threaten or harass customers or intentionally ducing the companion bill in the Senate. parade competitions, earning its first marching breach or threaten to breach medical con- The medical loss ratio, MLR, is the percent- trophy in 1961 at a competition in Denville, fidentiality. age of premium dollars an insurance plan New Jersey. By placing the burden of responsibility on spends on the provision of medical care, rath- The Harmony Senior Drum Corps has not the pharmacy, the ABC Act strikes a balance er than administrative costs, profits, executive restricted itself to local events. Their members between the rights of individual pharmacists compensation, or other expenses. It is an im- have marched in New York City for the St. based on their beliefs and the right of women portant point of information for consumers be- Patrick’s Day, Salute to Israel and Puerto to receive medication. If the request product is cause it is a concrete way for people to meas- Rican Day parades. In 1976, the Corps played not in stock, but the pharmacy stocks other ure the value of a health insurance product at Yankee Stadium during the World Series forms of contraception, the bill mandates that and to compare among other plans in the mar- between the Cincinnati Reds and the New the pharmacy help the woman obtain the ketplace. York Yankees. medication without delay by the method of her As part of the new health reform law, insur- In 1988, the Harmony Senior Drum Corps preference (order, referral or a transferred pre- ers in the private health insurance market- opened up membership to women in order to scription). place must now meet a minimum medical loss

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:09 Jul 27, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26JY8.013 E26JYPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with REMARKS E1412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 26, 2011 ratio percentage of 80 percent in the individual PERSONAL EXPLANATION TRIBUTE TO THE VERY REVEREND market and 85 percent in the group market- KENNETH F. GADDY, C.Ss.R. place. The law also requires all Medicare Ad- vantage plans, private plans offered through HON. LAURA RICHARDSON HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN Medicare, to meet an 85 percent MLR stand- OF CALIFORNIA OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ard by 2014. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1990, Congress first passed legislation Tuesday, July 26, 2011 standardizing Medigap policies and instituting Tuesday, July 26, 2011 minimum MLR standards in reaction to evi- Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to dence of widespread sale of duplicative poli- Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday pay tribute to an outstanding faith and commu- cies with high overhead. Today, more than I was honored to be one of the featured nity leader from my congressional district in nine million Medicare beneficiaries purchase speakers at an important session of the 102nd the U.S. Virgin Islands, The Very Reverend private supplemental Medigap policies to help Annual Convention of the NAACP, which is Kenneth F. Gaddy, C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist cover cost sharing and deductibles in tradi- being held in Los Angeles, California. My par- priest who has served the St. Croix community tional Medicare. ticipation in this important event necessitated for 21 years. The Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improve- my remaining in my congressional district on On Sunday, July 31, 2011, the Holy Cross ment Act updates the MLR standards for Monday, July 25, 2011. Consequently, I was Catholic Church will honor Father Gaddy for Medigap insurers—increasing the percentages unable to return in time for rollcall votes Nos. his years of bountiful service to the Church to levels put forth in health reform for other 630, through 636. and the parish before he leaves the Virgin Is- products. Specifically, it will raise the MLR Had I been present, I would have voted as lands for a new assignment. Born to the late from 65 percent to 80 percent in the individual follows: John and Beatrice Gaddy, Father Gaddy was the third of six children. He attended Catholic market and from 75 percent to 85 percent in 1. On rollcall No. 630, I would have voted school for elementary and part of his sec- the group marketplace. To give insurers time ‘‘no’’ (July 25)—(H. Res. 363, Providing for ondary education. In 1977, Father Gaddy en- to prepare for this change, it would not be- consideration of H.R. 2584, making appropria- tered the Redemptorist Formation system, in come effective until 2014. tions for the Department of the Interior, Envi- Northeast, Pennsylvania. He went on to fur- It is endorsed by organizations representing ronment, and Related Agencies for the Fiscal ther his studies and in 1984, he graduated millions of senior citizens and consumers of all Year Ending September 30, 2012, and for from St. Alphonsus College in Suffield, Con- ages, including: AARP, AFSCME, Alliance of other purposes). Retired Americans, Center for Medicare Advo- necticut, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in phi- cacy, Community Catalyst, Families USA, 2. On rollcall No. 631, I would have voted losophy. Father Gaddy completed his theo- Health Care for America Now, Medicare ‘‘aye’’ (July 25)—(On Approving the Journal). logical studies at Washington Theological Rights Center, National Council on Aging, and 3. On rollcall No. 632, I would have voted Union in 1988 and on May 14, 1988, he was the National Senior Citizens Law Center. ‘‘aye’’ (July 25)—(Moran Amendment to H.R. ordained to the priesthood. In endorsing the bill, AARP highlights that, 2584, Interior and Environment Appropriations Father Gaddy’s first assignment was to St. ‘‘AARP supports this change because it will Act for FY 2012). Boniface Church, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- provide greater transparency and account- 4. On rollcall No. 633, I would have voted vania. In January of 1990, he was reassigned ability for expenditures made by health insur- ‘‘no’’ (July 25)—(Huelskamp Amendment to to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on the island ance issuers, and encourage them to become H.R. 2584, Interior and Environment Appro- of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and arrived more efficient in their operations to help en- priations Act for FY 2012). in the Virgin Islands during a tremendously challenging time in our history—just months sure that consumers receive fair value for their 5. On rollcall No. 634, I would have voted after Hurricane Hugo devastated the island of premium dollars.’’ ‘‘aye’’ (July 25)—(Cleaver Amendment to H.R. Saint Croix. He served as an Associate Pastor This bill should garner bipartisan support. At 2584, Interior and Environment Appropriations for six years, and then in August of 1996 he a February 10, 2011 hearing in the Ways and Act for FY 2012). Means Committee, a Republican Member was appointed Pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic questioned CMS Actuary Rick Foster about 6. On rollcall No. 635, I would have voted Church. Father Gaddy served as Pastor for 9 this issue: ‘‘. . . Medigap policies that seniors ‘‘aye’’ (July 25)—(Richmond Amendment to years before he was appointed director of the purchase to supplement traditional Medicare H.R. 2584, Interior and Environment Appro- Blessed Peter Donders Formation Residence are only required to meet a medical loss ratio priations Act for FY 2012). in July of 2006. of 65 percent . . . do you think that the MLR 7. On rollcall No. 636, I would have voted Mr. Speaker, in July of 2008, Father Gaddy policy should be applied equitably across the ‘‘aye’’ (July 25)—(Hochul Amendment to H.R. was appointed pastor of Holy Cross Catholic line?’’ He answered that ‘‘. . . you could prob- 2584, Interior and Environment Appropriations Church on Saint Croix, where he is currently ably make a good case that if it makes sense Act for FY 2012). serving. He credits two Redemptorists, The in general then it would make sense for the Rev. Jerome Moody and The Rev. Henrique broader spectrum, including Medigap policies.’’ f Schulterbrandt, for encouraging and sup- The Member responded, ‘‘Well, I would think porting him in his decision to pursue his stud- that most people would agree that if we are PERSONAL EXPLANATION ies to the priesthood. Several years later he going to do something we should do it equal- was introduced to Rev. Carlyle Blake, another ly.’’ Redemptorist, whose friendship and I agree. That’s exactly what we’re doing with HON. GENE GREEN mentorship continue to this day. the Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improvement OF TEXAS Father Gaddy believes firmly that we stand on the shoulders of those who precede us and Act today—we are extending a commonsense IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES consumer protection to private Medigap plans. it is our responsibility to keep their memory I encourage our colleagues on both sides of Tuesday, July 26, 2011 and contributions alive and to provide shoul- the aisle to join us to enact this sensible im- ders for those who come behind us to stand Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, provement to existing law for those who pur- on. He also believes that we are all respon- I rise today to explain my absence from votes chase private Medigap insurance. sible for building upon what has been en- cast on the afternoon of July 25, 2011. My f trusted to us and that we are to leave our voting percentage is 98 percent for the 112th community better than as we inherited it. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Congress, and I rarely miss votes, but yester- The Saint Croix community will not soon for- day, I was absent due to a prior commitment get the ministry of Father Gaddy, his impas- scheduled before we knew the House would sioned sermons, his wise and down-to-earth HON. STEVE KING be in session on Monday. OF IOWA demeanor, and most certainly we will not for- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES On the votes I missed: on the rule providing get his infectious laughter and kind-hearted for consideration of H.R. 2584—Interior, Envi- smile. He is a great listener who exudes sin- Tuesday, July 26, 2011 ronment, and Related Agencies Appropriations cerity and humbleness. Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Act, 2012, had I been present, I would have He has shared our ups and our downs, our No. 636, I was not present to vote. Had I been voted ‘‘no’’; and on the Journal vote, had I trials and our triumphs, our grief and our joys present, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ been present, I would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ and has become a much beloved and integral

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