[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H201-H203]
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. 309) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 309
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 A 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) one or more complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases;
``(2) one or more diseases resulting from insulin
deficiency or insulin resistance; or
``(3) complications caused by one or more of any of such
diseases.
``(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,
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 (a),
including identifying problems regarding such utilization and
related data collection mechanisms and make recommendations;
``(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
and treatment of the diseases and complications described in
subsection (a);
``(8) review and recommend appropriate methods for outreach
and dissemination of educational resources that--
``(A) address 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
[[Page H202]]
submit to the Congress a recommendation on whether the
Commission should be reauthorized to operate after fiscal
year 2021.
``(f) Sunset.--The Commission shall terminate 120 days
after submitting its final report, but not later than the end
of fiscal year 2021.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
General Leave
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous materials in 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. 309, the National
Clinical Care Commission Act, introduced by Representative Pete Olson
and which was supported by over 229 cosponsors in the 114th Congress.
H.R. 309 establishes a clinical care commission to evaluate and
recommend solutions regarding better coordinating and leveraging of
Federal programs related 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 focus on prevention
and others focus on treatment--but there is a lack of coordination
among these programs. 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 a voice vote
during the 114th Congress.
H.R. 309 provides no new spending and utilizes only existing funds at
the Department of Health and Human Services.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 309, sponsored by my Texas neighbor,
Congressman Pete Olson, and our other colleague on the Energy and
Commerce Committee, David Loebsack of Iowa, the National Clinical Care
Commission Act.
This legislation aims 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 U.S. is diabetes, which
affects more than 29 million Americans. Racial and ethnic minority
communities suffer increased rates of this condition. 15.9 percent of
American Indians and Alaskan Natives, 13.2 percent of non-Hispanic
Blacks, and 12.8 percent of Hispanics have diagnosed diabetes, compared
to just 7.6 percent of non-Hispanic Whites.
Diabetes takes a huge toll on human health. It is the seventh leading
cause of death in the United States. Additionally, all too often,
diabetes leads to avoidable complications such as blindness, limb
amputation, and kidney failure.
In addition to the effects on human health, diabetes care makes up a
large percentage of U.S. healthcare expenditures. Currently, $1 of
every $5 of healthcare costs is spent on caring for people with
diabetes. The proportion of Medicare funding is even greater.
Currently, $1 of every $3 of Medicare expenditures is spent caring for
people with diabetes.
That is why it is important to improve Federal efforts that prevent
avoidable cases of diabetes and metabolic disorders and ensure all
Americans have treatment and management of services necessary to
successfully manage this and other of these conditions.
I am glad to see this legislation move forward, and I urge my
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 309.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson).
Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Denton, Texas (Mr.
Burgess) for yielding me time to speak about my bill, H.R. 309, the
National Clinical Care Commission Act, a bipartisan bill that received
unanimous support in the last Congress and was cosponsored by over half
of my House colleagues.
It had this level of support because our Nation faces an epidemic.
Diabetes or prediabetes affects over 100 million Americans. Nearly one
in three of our neighbors is affected. This is in addition to all of
the Americans whose diseases 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.
Researchers at the NIH, the CDC, the FDA, and even DOD weren't sharing
diabetes research.
It was clear to me in 2009, and it is clear today in 2017, that we
need a laser-like focus on improving patient care by pursuing a strong
Federal focus on research.
My bill accomplishes that goal by creating a national clinical care
commission comprised of doctors who specialize in diabetes care for
patients. This commission will have 3 years to strengthen their
partnership between Federal stakeholders and health professionals, who
will bring hands-on clinical experience to improve care.
This is not a new, unending bureaucracy. After 3 years, this
commission will sunset. In 3 years, it will be gone.
We have already made a huge investment of taxpayer dollars into
research. It is time for us to leverage that investment and translate
that into meaningful prevention and effective treatment options.
So today, I ask my colleagues to again help those who suffer from
diabetes or other complex metabolic and autoimmune disorders by voting
for H.R. 309.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers.
I reserve the balance of my time in case someone shows up.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Carter), a new member of the Energy and Commerce
Committee.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
1192, the National Diabetes 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 dissemination of information and
resources to clinicians on best practices for delivering high-quality
care and how best to effectively deploy new and emerging treatments and
technologies.
As a pharmacist, I play an important role in diabetes care by
screening patients who had a high risk for diabetes and educating
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 diabetes and chronic diseases and conditions caused by diabetes,
we will begin to stem the tide of this awful disease.
This legislation should be a priority for our country, and I urge my
colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Carter) to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers at this time.
This is a good bill. It did pass at the end of last Congress. Maybe
by passing at the beginning of this Congress, we will give the other
body ample time to take it up this year.
It is a good bill. It is worthy of our consideration again today. It
provides no new spending.
[[Page H203]]
I urge passage of H.R. 309.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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. 309.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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