[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1997-E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    WAIVING POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1614, 
     CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to touch on aspects of this 
bill that the Members of the Commerce Committee worked hard on this 
past year. Just last month, we marked up in full committee, HR 5291, 
the Medicare, Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program 
Beneficiary and Improvement Protection Act of 2000.
  I would like to mention several of the provisions in the Commerce 
package voice voted out of the Commerce Committee, that were included 
in the legislation we are voting on her today. I am hopeful that the 
President will support this package, which includes many bipartisan 
provisions.
  We all know that one of the most pressing issues facing American 
senior citizens and persons with disabilities today is the need for 
coverage of prescription drugs under Medicare. While we continue to 
work to reach consensus on a Medicare prescription drug benefit, I want 
to thank Members from both sides of the aisle who supported a provision 
that would restore and preserve Medicare coverage for certain 
injectable drugs and biologicals that are crucial to seniors and 
persons with debilitating chronic illnesses. This legislation ensures 
that the sickest of our Medicare beneficiaries who suffer from life 
threatening illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, will 
receive life saving therapies by providing coverage for certain 
injectable medications.
  In addition, we build on last year's step towards providing coverage 
of immunosuppressive drugs by eliminating the arbitrary 36 moths cap 
currently in place.

[[Page E1998]]

  We build upon Medicare's colonoscopy benefit by allowing average risk 
beneficiaries the option of a colon cancer screening every ten years. 
This policy comports with American Cancer Society guidelines, and will 
ensure that average risk beneficiaries have another tool at their 
disposal to detect colon cancer.
  We provide relief for Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals. 
These hospitals provide uncompensated care to the poorest in our 
Nation. We should recognize the value of those services. I want to 
thank Ed Whitfield and Brian Bilbray from the Commerce Committee for 
their tireless effort on this piece of the legislation.
  This bill does not just help the seniors and disabled in our country, 
but also our most vital resource: our children. I want to talk about 
the changes we made to SCHIP. We created the program in the BBA 97. As 
a result of this provision, over two and half million children have 
health insurance today who might not otherwise have it.
  Unfortunately, more than half the states have been unable to spend 
the 1998 dollars we thought they would. This concerns me.
  One of the reasons states have not been able to spend their money is 
because we restricted the way in which money could be used for 
outreach. We said you get money for outreach, once you start enrolling 
children. Many states told us they could not enroll the children unless 
they had the money to do outreach first.
  This legislation gives states money up front for outreach and allows 
them more time to spend their money. At the same time, those states 
that have spent all of their money will be given additional sums in 
recognition of their early and successful implementation of their SCHIP 
programs.
  I also want to talk about Medicare+Choice. Yes, we do provide relief 
for health plans participating in the Medicare+Choice program. Seniors 
have asked us for choice in selecting their Medicare coverage. Seniors 
across he country should have choice, not just those in large 
metropolitan areas. Our Medicare+Choice provisions are targeted at 
rural areas to allow seniors in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the same 
choices as seniors in New York City enjoy.
  I also want to highlight the adoption tax credit provisions in this 
bill. My wife and I are adoptive parents. At the beginning of the 106th 
Congress, I sponsored the Hope for Children Act (H.R. 531) in order to 
allow more families and children to experience the happiness my family 
has been blessed with over the years. The Hope for Children Act enjoyed 
the co-sponsorship of 280 of our colleagues. I am gratified my bill 
enjoyed broad, bipartisan appeal and am very proud that major 
provisions of the Hope for Children Act are in this bill.
  The adoption tax credit provisions increase the non-special needs tax 
credit to $6,000 in 2001, $7,000 in 2002, $8,000 in 2003, $9,000 in 
2004, and $10,000 in 2005. The tax credit for special needs is 
increased to $8,000 in 2001, $10,000 in 2002, and $12,000 in 2003 and 
years thereafter. Also, the income eligibility for the tax credit is 
doubled from present law. For all taxable years after December 31, 
2000, this bill provides a full credit for all adjusted gross incomes 
under $150,000 and the credit is gradually phased out for incomes 
between $150,000-$190,000.
  This legislation strengthens the American family by making adoption 
more affordable. Adoption is expensive and every penny spent helping 
these adopting families now will be returned tenfold in the future 
contributions of the children who ultimately benefit from the tax 
credit. These families are willing to put themselves on the line to 
give a child a chance for a real future.
  Passage of this bill will unquestionably make a tremendous impact in 
the lives of adopting families, the least of which is to encourage 
those who are intimidated by the cost of adoption to move forward in 
opening their hearts and homes to a child in need of a loving home. We 
will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of children 
upon passage of this bill.

                          ____________________