[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT 
     ASSESSMENT COMMISSION AND PHYSICIAN PAYMENT REVIEW COMMISSION

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill, H.R. 1001, to extend the term of appointment of certain members 
of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician 
Payment Review Commission.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1001

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN 
                   MEMBERS OF THE PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT ASSESSMENT 
                   COMMISSION AND THE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT REVIEW 
                   COMMISSION.

       In the case of an individual who is appointed as a member 
     of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission or of the 
     Physician Payment Review Commission and whose term of 
     appointment would otherwise expire during 1997, such terms of 
     appointment is hereby extended to expire as of May 1, 1998.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Thomas] and the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas].
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1001. It is the bill to extend 
the term of appointment of certain members of the Prospective Payment 
Assessment Commission and the Physician Payment Review Commission. This 
is a noncontroversial bill; nevertheless, it is a necessary one because 
it is needed to ensure the continued operation of these two 
commissions.
  H.R. 1001 was introduced by myself and the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Committee on 
Commerce, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis]. The bill was 
reported by both the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and the full 
Committee on Ways and Means by a voice vote without amendment.
  Under current law the appointment of, we call it the PROPAC and 
PHYSPRC, the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the 
Physician Payment Review Commission, membership is made by the Director 
of the Office of Technology Assessment.
  However, because Congress has closed the OTA, there is no one to make 
these appointments. This bill would extend the members' terms which 
expire this year. It will provide the committees of jurisdiction time 
to consider the future structure of the two commissions in order to 
develop legislation that would first, reauthorize their activities, and 
second, put in place a structure for determining a membership 
appointment.
  Mr. Speaker, this measure received, as I said, the unanimous support 
of the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment and the full 
committee. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
noncontroversial but much-needed piece of legislation.
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California has described the bill 
well and accurately. There is no controversy, or, that I know of, any 
opposition to it. It is supported on our side. I urge its adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1001.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1001.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  
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