[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    H.R. 3722, THE UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 
                           AMENDMENTS OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  Mr. BARTON. Mr. Speaker, at the request of the Chairman of the 
Committee on Ways and Means, I would like to include an exchange of 
letters to be included as part of the discussion of H.R. 3722, the 
Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 2004.
     Hon. Joe Barton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, 2125 Rayburn 
         House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Barton: I am writing concerning H.R. 3722, 
     the ``Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance 
     Amendments of 2004,'' which was introduced on January 21, 
     2004, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over matters concerning Medicare. Sec. 3 of H.R. 
     3722 waives the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor 
     Act (EMTALA), and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means. However, in order to expedite 
     this legislation for floor consideration, the Committee will 
     forgo action on this bill. This is being done with the 
     understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the 
     Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its 
     jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 3722, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 2004.
     Hon. Bill Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, 1102 Longworth House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: Thank you for your letter of May 17, 
     2004 concerning H.R. 3722, the Undocumented Alien Emergency 
     Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004. Although this bill was 
     referred solely to the Committee on Energy and Commerce upon 
     introduction, I will be happy to keep you apprised of the 
     status of this legislation.
       As requested, I will include this exchange of 
     correspondence in the Congressional Record on H.R. 3722.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Joe Barton,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________