[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TREATING AND REDUCING OBESITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, as a physician, I believe that we 
must support and utilize available medical breakthroughs. That is why I 
am proud to co-lead the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, legislation that 
would provide a direct line to chronic weight management medications 
for Medicare recipients struggling with obesity.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity 
is prevalent in over 40 percent of adults aged 60 and older. The 
National Institutes of Health attributes obesity to an increased risk 
for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart 
disease, stroke, liver disease, and certain cancers.
  This bill would assist those struggling to lose weight and would help 
decrease comorbidities associated with obesity. I urge my colleagues to 
support this important bill.


                Accelerating Access to Care for Children

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act.

  Iowa's First District is blessed to have the University of Iowa Stead 
Family Children's Hospital, and this bill would allow out-of-State 
children to access our top-tier clinical trials, specialists, and care 
teams.
  Currently, children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health 
Insurance Program must have an out-of-State care team be screened by 
their home State's Medicaid program, even though the providers have 
already been screened and enrolled in their own State program. This 
causes delays and can cause a child's condition to worsen, putting 
their lives at risk.
  This legislation would streamline the process by allowing providers 
who treat children and are in good standing to enroll in multiple State 
Medicaid programs for a period of 5 years.
  As a mother, physician, former director of the Iowa Department of 
Public Health, and a Congresswoman, I understand the duty to care for 
our children's health, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.


        Remembering Burlington Police Department K9 Officer Paco

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Burlington 
Police Department's K9 Paco.
  K9 Paco served with the Burlington Police Department for nearly 2 
months and was in the process of being trained for assignment as our 
second K9 unit with K9 Handler Officer Gallegos.
  K9s are specifically trained to help members of our law enforcement, 
and their keen sense of tracking and detection are invaluable for 
officers.
  This is a sad day for the Burlington Police Department, and I will 
continue to keep the Burlington Police Department and Paco in my 
prayers.

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