[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H6113-H6115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL CLINICAL CARE COMMISSION ACT
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1192) to amend the Public Health Service Act to foster more
effective implementation and coordination of clinical care for people
with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and the chronic diseases and conditions
that result from diabetes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1192
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Clinical Care
Commission Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL CLINICAL CARE
COMMISSION.
Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 399V-7. NATIONAL CLINICAL CARE COMMISSION.
``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established, within
the Department of Health and Human Services, a National
Clinical Care Commission (in this section referred to as the
`Commission') to evaluate, and recommend solutions regarding
better coordination and leveraging of, programs within the
Department and other Federal agencies that relate in any way
to supporting appropriate clinical care (such as any
interactions between physicians and other health care
providers and their patients related to treatment and care
management) for individuals with--
``(1) a complex metabolic or autoimmune disease;
``(2) a disease resulting from insulin deficiency or
insulin resistance; or
``(3) complications caused by any such disease.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of the
following voting members:
``(A) The heads (or their designees) of the following
Federal agencies and departments:
``(i) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
``(ii) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
``(iii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
``(iv) The Indian Health Service.
``(v) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
``(vi) The National Institutes of Health.
``(vii) The Food and Drug Administration.
``(viii) The Health Resources and Services Administration.
``(ix) The Department of Defense.
``(B) Twelve additional voting members appointed under
paragraph (2).
``(C) Such additional voting members as may be appointed by
the Secretary, at the Secretary's discretion, from among the
heads (or their designees) of governmental or nongovernmental
entities that impact clinical care of individuals with any of
the diseases and complications described in subsection (a).
``(2) Additional members.--The Commission shall include
additional voting members appointed by the Secretary, in
consultation with national medical societies and patient
advocacy organizations with expertise in the care and
epidemiology of any of the diseases and complications
described in subsection (a), including one or more such
members from each of the following categories:
``(A) Clinical endocrinologists.
``(B) Physician specialties (other than as described in
subparagraph (A)) that play a role in diseases and
complications described in subsection (a), such as
cardiologists, nephrologists, and eye care professionals.
``(C) Primary care physicians.
``(D) Non-physician health care professionals, such as
certified diabetes educators, registered dieticians and
nutrition professionals, nurses, nurse practitioners, and
physician assistants.
``(E) Patient advocates.
``(F) National experts in the duties listed under
subsection (c).
``(G) Health care providers furnishing services to a
patient population that consists of a high percentage (as
specified by the Secretary) of individuals who are enrolled
in a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act or
who are not covered under a health plan or health insurance
coverage.
``(3) Chairperson.--The voting members of the Commission
shall select a chairperson from the members appointed under
paragraph (2) from the category under paragraph (2)(A).
``(4) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least twice,
and not more than 4 times, a year.
``(5) Board terms.--Members of the Commission appointed
pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1),
including the chairperson, shall serve for a 3-year term. A
vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointments.
``(c) Duties.--The Commission shall--
``(1) evaluate programs of the Department of Health and
Human Services regarding the utilization of diabetes
screening benefits, annual wellness visits, and other
preventive health benefits that may reduce the incidence of
the diseases and complications described in subsection
[[Page H6114]]
(a), including explaining problems regarding such utilization
and related data collection mechanisms;
``(2) identify current activities and critical gaps in
Federal efforts to support clinicians in providing
integrated, high-quality care to individuals with any of the
diseases and complications described in subsection (a);
``(3) make recommendations regarding the coordination of
clinically-based activities that are being supported by the
Federal Government with respect to the diseases and
complications described in subsection (a);
``(4) make recommendations regarding the development and
coordination of federally funded clinical practice support
tools for physicians and other health care professionals in
caring for and managing the care of individuals with any of
the diseases and complications described in subsection (a),
specifically with regard to implementation of new treatments
and technologies;
``(5) evaluate programs described in subsection (a) that
are in existence as of the date of the enactment of this
section and determine if such programs are meeting the needs
identified in paragraph (2) and, if such programs are
determined as not meeting such needs, recommend programs that
would be more appropriate;
``(6) recommend, with respect to the diseases and
complications described in subsection (a), clinical pathways
for new technologies and treatments, including future data
collection activities, that may be developed and then used to
evaluate--
``(A) various care models and methods; and
``(B) the impact of such models and methods on quality of
care as measured by appropriate care parameters (such as A1C,
blood pressure, and cholesterol levels);
``(7) evaluate and expand education and awareness
activities provided to physicians and other health care
professionals regarding clinical practices for the prevention
of the diseases and complications described in subsection
(a);
``(8) review and recommend appropriate methods for outreach
and dissemination of educational resources that--
``(A) regard the diseases and complications described in
subsection (a);
``(B) are funded by the Federal Government; and
``(C) are intended for health care professionals and the
public; and
``(9) carry out other activities, such as activities
relating to the areas of public health and nutrition, that
the Commission deems appropriate with respect to the diseases
and complications described in subsection (a).
``(d) Operating Plan.--
``(1) Initial plan.--Not later than 90 days after its first
meeting, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary and the
Congress an operating plan for carrying out the activities of
the Commission as described in subsection (c). Such operating
plan may include--
``(A) a list of specific activities that the Commission
plans to conduct for purposes of carrying out the duties
described in each of the paragraphs in subsection (c);
``(B) a plan for completing the activities;
``(C) a list of members of the Commission and other
individuals who are not members of the Commission who will
need to be involved to conduct such activities;
``(D) an explanation of Federal agency involvement and
coordination needed to conduct such activities;
``(E) a budget for conducting such activities;
``(F) a plan for evaluating the value and potential impact
of the Commission's work and recommendations, including the
possible continuation of the Commission for the purposes of
overseeing their implementation; and
``(G) other information that the Commission deems
appropriate.
``(2) Updates.--The Commission shall periodically update
the operating plan under paragraph (1) and submit such
updates to the Secretary and the Congress.
``(e) Final Report.--By not later than 3 years after the
date of the Commission's first meeting, the Commission shall
submit to the Secretary and the Congress a final report
containing all of the findings and recommendations required
by this section. Not later than 120 days after the submission
of the final report, the Secretary shall review the plan
required by subsection (d)(1)(F) and submit to the Congress a
recommendation on whether the Commission should be
reauthorized to operate after fiscal year 2019.
``(f) Sunset.--The Commission shall terminate at the end of
fiscal year 2019.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1192, the National
Clinical Care Commission Act, introduced by my friend and colleague
from Texas, Representative Pete Olson. It has been supported by 229
cosponsors.
H.R. 1192 establishes a clinical care commission to evaluate and
recommend solutions regarding better coordinating and leveraging
Federal programs that relate to complex metabolic or autoimmune
disorders, such as diabetes. Metabolic disorders take a large toll on
many Americans each year, and complications from these disorders can
lead to catastrophic health outcomes.
Currently, there are various programs across the Federal Government
that touch on metabolic disorders, some focusing on prevention, others
focusing on treatment, but they lack coordination. Improving
coordination of such efforts provides an opportunity to reduce costs
while improving health outcomes.
This legislation received broad support from the Energy and Commerce
Committee, passing through a full committee markup by voice vote. H.R.
1192 provides for no new spending by utilizing only existing funds at
the Department of Health and Human Services.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the sponsors of the bill, Congressman
Olson and Congressman Loebsack, for introducing this legislation. I am
very proud to be one of the many cosponsors of the bill.
H.R. 1192 would help to improve Federal efforts to treat and prevent
metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and diseases resulting from
insulin deficiency or insulin resistance.
The most common metabolic disorder in the United States, of course,
is diabetes, which affects more than 29 million Americans. Another 86
million Americans have prediabetes, a condition associated with an
increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Unfortunately, all too often, diabetes leads, as my colleague said,
to avoidable complications such as blindness, limb amputation, and
kidney failure, and it costs our healthcare system an avoidable
billions of dollars each year. That is why it is important to improve
Federal efforts to prevent avoidable cases of these conditions and to
ensure that Americans have the treatment and management services
necessary to successfully manage them.
I am pleased that we were able to work together to pass this
legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1192.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Olson), the author of the bill.
Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1192, the
National Clinical Care Commission Act, a bipartisan bill which is
cosponsored by over half of my House colleagues. It has this level of
support because this Nation faces an epidemic. Diabetes or prediabetes
affects over 100 million Americans. Nearly one in three of our
neighbors are affected. Dr. Phil has diabetes. We met, and he is a
strong proponent of this bill. This is in addition to all of the other
Americans who have diseases that fall under complex metabolic,
autoimmune, or insulin resistant diseases.
When I first came to Congress in 2009, it was crystal clear that we
had a big problem. The benefits of all the Federal research dollars
going into these diseases were simply not making their way to patients.
The researchers at the NIH, the CDC, and even the EPA weren't sharing
diabetes research. It was clear to me in 2009, and it is clear to me in
2016. We need a laser-like focus on improving patient care by pursuing
a strong Federal focus on research.
My bill accomplishes that goal through the establishment of a
national clinical care commission made up of doctors with specialties,
such as endocrinologists, and other healthcare providers who work
directly with patients and pharmacists.
This commission will have 3 years to strengthen the partnership
between Federal stakeholders and health professionals who will bring
hands-on, clinical experience to improve care.
[[Page H6115]]
This is not a new, unending bureaucracy. After 3 years, this commission
will sunset. In 3 years, it will be gone.
We have made a huge investment of taxpayer dollars in research. It is
time for us to leverage that investment and translate that into
meaningful prevention and effective treatment options.
So today, on World Diabetes Day, I ask my colleagues to vote for H.R.
1192 and help all those who suffer from diabetes and other complex
metabolic and autoimmune disorders.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, the truth is, in this country, if we
were able to actually get some control of diabetes--which, as the
author of this bill said, affects over 100 million Americans--
prediabetes or diabetes, we would be able to really get control of all
healthcare costs. It is one of the biggest drivers of healthcare costs
in our country.
So while this is a commission--and let's hope that the commission
does its good work--we have to stay focused, as he said, on the issue
of diabetes.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is in support of the bill.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1192, the National
Clinical Care Commission Act, which establishes within the Department
of Health and Human Services the National Diabetes Clinical Care
Commission.
The commission will look into the dissemination of information and
resources to clinicians on best practices for delivering high quality
care and how best to effectively deploy new and emerging treatment and
technologies.
As a pharmacist, I played an important role in diabetes care by
screening patients who had a high risk for diabetes and educated
patients to empower them to take better care of themselves.
I believe all of my colleagues would agree that making government
work to help evaluate and recommend solutions regarding diabetes is
important. The American Diabetes Association reports that there are
almost 30 million people living with this disease.
With better coordination and leveraging of Federal programs that
relate to clinical care for people with prediabetes, diabetes, and the
chronic diseases and conditions caused by diabetes, we will begin to
stem the tide of this awful disease.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation should be a priority for our country,
and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill that we are
acting on today. I would remind the body that it passed on a strong
vote through the full committee on a voice vote, and there are many
things to recommend this bill. I urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate World Diabetes
Day and to urge the passage of the National Diabetes Clinical Care
Commission Act (H.R. 1192), which would authorize a committee of
experts to improve care for people with diabetes and associated
conditions. I'd like to thank the original co-sponsors of the bill, Mr.
Olson and Mr. Loebsack, as well as Chairman Upton and Ranking Member
Pallone, for all your hard work in making sure this important
legislation gets the attention it deserves.
World Diabetes Day helps raise awareness of the scope of this
disease. In that spirit, I'd like to note for all our colleagues that
the human and economic impact of diabetes in the United States is
mammoth. More than 29 million people in the United States from all
walks of life have diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control estimates
as many as 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes.
This disease is a life-long reality that patients and their families
must grapple with every day. As the mother of a child with type 1
diabetes, I know the toll it can take. But I'm also in awe of the
bravery and strength exhibited by people who live with diabetes. For
them, we must continue to support innovative and thoughtful solutions
that address awareness, prevention and cures.
For health care problems of this magnitude, coordination is
essential. Increased communication and planning between the many
different federal agencies working to prevent and treat diabetes will
make a difference for patients and help us spend taxpayer dollars in a
more cost-effective way. The National Clinical Care Commission Act
would help jump-start these efforts by facilitating dialogue and
coordination between leaders in the federal government and experts from
the field. The Commission would be tasked with reviewing the many
different ways the government currently spends money on diabetes and
coming up with a strategic plan on how to move forward effectively and
efficiently.
I have no doubt that the House will pass H.R. 1192 today. I encourage
the Senate to vote on this commonsense bill as soon as possible. Thank
you.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1192, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend
the Public Health Service Act to foster more effective implementation
and coordination of clinical care for people with a complex metabolic
or autoimmune disease, a disease resulting from insulin deficiency or
insulin resistance, or complications caused by such a disease, and for
other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________