[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10274-H10275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HELPING CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). The Chair recognizes the

[[Page H10275]]

gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the House's work 
that aims to improve outcomes for children with complex medical 
conditions.
  As a physician, I have delivered more than 10,000 babies and seen 
firsthand many of these complex and complicated conditions, often when 
babies are born prematurely.
  Today, there are 33 million children dependent upon Medicaid in our 
country. Two million of these cases are considered medically complex. 
It is imperative that we take a compassionate look at the way in which 
this care is being provided to some of our most vulnerable patients.
  I am proud of the legislation the House recently passed to address 
the way that care is provided for these children. Last week, we passed 
the IMPROVE Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation 
included the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act that aims to put 
our Nation's sickest kids and their families first by improving their 
care.
  These children and their families already face many challenges. Thus, 
our healthcare system has to work with them by making access to care 
more manageable and easier to navigate.
  Too often, these children are forced to see multiple doctors, 
sometimes requiring them to go across State lines for treatment. This 
can be costly, time consuming, and confusing. This bill reduces the 
burden on families by no longer making them jump through hoops for 
their children's coverage.
  The ACE Act also ensures that each child gets the coverage they need 
by helping hospitals coordinate across State lines and provides 
additional resources to families to help them navigate the healthcare 
system. This coordination will likely reduce emergency visits and 
inpatient hospitalizations and, ultimately, lower the overall cost of 
care for these children, while at the same time provide for better 
outcomes.
  In Kansas, 41 percent of children with special healthcare needs are 
covered by Medicaid. I appreciate the opportunity to make Medicaid a 
more caring, comprehensive, and efficient system for each and every 
child with a serious, long-term illness.


                     Importance of Internet Access

  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, as I have traveled across Kansas, I have 
heard how a strong Internet connection can impact communities, boost 
local economies, and create jobs.
  Access to the Internet allows small businesses to sell their products 
across the country and the world. It enables students to access 
additional learning tools and gives doctors the ability to treat 
patients in the most remote parts of the district.
  Far too often, I am reminded of the complications my district has to 
get connected. I rise today to highlight the recent steps taken to 
advance broadband deployment in rural America.
  Last week, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted to 
provide additional funding to carriers utilizing the Universal Service 
Fund high-cost program. The high-cost program helps providers deploy 
broadband infrastructure in extremely rural and hard-to-reach places 
where the cost to connect is just too high.
  I am also excited that the United States Department of Agriculture is 
working to expand broadband access to our ag producers.
  I was grateful to join Secretary Perdue as he announced details of a 
new broadband pilot program last week at the Department of Agriculture. 
The program, called ReConnect, targets funding in the forms of grants 
and loans to areas currently lacking a reliable Internet connection.
  Farmers and ranchers need a broadband connection to monitor their 
operations and increase efficiencies on their farms, which ultimately 
drives down the cost of doing business.
  Connectivity is such a vital part of everyday life, and its 
importance continues to grow. People's access should not be affected by 
where they choose to live.
  I want that thank Secretary Perdue, Chairman Pai, and President Trump 
for making broadband deployment a priority.

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