[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2115-E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT CENTERS FOR MEDICARE 
      & MEDICAID SERVICES BE COMMENDED FOR IMPLEMENTING MEDICARE 
                         DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee, Chairman Thomas, requested that the attached exchange of 
letters be submitted during the floor debate on H. Res. 261.
                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                    Washington, DC, Oct. 17, 2005.
     The Hon. Bill Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: Thank you for your letter in regards 
     to H. Res. 261, a resolution ``[e]xpressing the sense of the 
     House of Representatives that the Centers for Medicare and 
     Medicaid Services should be commended for implementing the 
     Medicare demonstration project to assess the quality of care 
     of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and should extend 
     the project, at least through 2006, subject to any 
     appropriate modifications.''
       As the Committee on Ways and Means was named as an 
     additional Committee of jurisdiction upon the resolution's 
     introduction, I acknowledge and appreciate your willingness 
     to not exercise your full referral on the resolution. In 
     doing so, I agree that your decision to forgo further action 
     on the resolution will not prejudice the Committee on Ways 
     and Means with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this legislation or similar legislation.
       I look forward to working with you on this resolution.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Joe Barton,
                                                         Chairman.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                    Washington, DC, Oct. 11, 2005.
     The Hon. Joe Barton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Barton: I am writing concerning H. Res. 261, 
     a resolution ``[e]xpressing the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
     Services should be commended for implementing the Medicare 
     demonstration project to assess the quality of care of cancer 
     patients undergoing chemotherapy, and should extend the 
     project, at least through 2006, subject to any appropriate 
     modifications,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee 
     on Energy and Commerce on Wednesday, July 20, 2005.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over matters concerning Medicare. This 
     resolution calls for the extension of the Medicare 
     demonstration project to assess the quality of care for 
     patients undergoing chemotherapy, 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 resolution. 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.

[[Page E2116]]

       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H. Res. 261, 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.

                          ____________________