As you may know, the Senate was expected to vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) last month. However, not enough Members agreed with the bill in its current form, so it was not brought to the floor for a vote. As my colleagues go back to the drawing board on this issue, I’d like to once again stress the importance of exercising regular order – especially when it comes to issues as complicated as health care.
Without question, the state of health care in Nevada is broken. Recently, Anthem announced it will be departing from six counties in CD-2 by the end of this year. Regardless of your political views, this is proof the status quo isn’t working, and if Congress doesn't pass measures to repair our health care system soon, residents throughout Nevada will have even fewer choices by 2018.
When it comes to health care reform, I would much rather be criticized for attempting to move this issue toward a solution, than criticized for not trying at all. But make no mistake, the solution to our health care crisis is not a single-party effort to hastily check the box. We should have learned that seven years ago. A meaningful solution will only be achieved if Congress takes the time needed to get this initial start as right as possible.
For those who will no longer have access to health care at the end of the year through the Nevada exchange, due to Anthem’s departure, you may contact the Access to Health Care Network, a non-profit organization that connects Nevadans with health care providers. Click here for additional information.
In Case You Missed It
I joined MSNBC’s Ali Velshi recently to talk about the CBO’s recent analysis of the BCRA, the state of health care in Nevada, and the lack of regular order displayed throughout this process. Click
here or on the video below to hear our full discussion.
Washington Visitors
It’s always nice to see familiar faces while I’m in Washington. Below are some of the Nevadans I met with recently:
Nevada Music Educators
ABC Nevada - (Associated Builders and Contractors)
2017 Congressional Art Competition Winner, Aubrey Milner (Robert McQueen High School) and her Family
Aubrey Milner's winning piece: "Home Means Nevada"
Washington Wrap-up
In June, the House worked to target dangerous sanctuary city policies by replacing them with measures that do more to identify and deport criminal individuals who are here illegally. It’s simply unacceptable that we can detain an illegal immigrant, but cannot deport them because we do not have the capability, or because local law enforcement is unwilling to report them. Learn more about these bills below:
H.R. 3003 - No Sanctuary for Criminals Act
Sanctuary cities threaten our laws and put our citizens in harm’s way. In an effort to increase public safety, Congress must eliminate sanctuary policies and require all states to abide by the same set of federal immigration laws. This is why I put my support behind H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. Specifically, H.R. 3003 would eliminate certain federal funding for jurisdictions that shield criminal immigrants from immigration law enforcement. I will continue to support similar measures that protect the public from dangerous immigrant criminals.
H.R. 3004 - Kate’s Law
As you may know, in 2015, 32-year-old Kate Steinle was shot and killed in a sanctuary city by an illegal immigrant with a stolen firearm. Sadly, Kate is just one of many other victims. You might also recognize the names Sarah Root and Grant Ronnebeck. As the father of two daughters, this is an issue that hits close to home for me. I cannot imagine the pain these victims’ parents and families must have gone through – especially over a crime that was preventable. This is why I voted in favor of H.R. 3004, Kate’s Law, legislation that will protect individuals by imposing increased penalties on criminal aliens who re-enter the U.S. illegally or participate in criminal activity. Illegal aliens who violate our laws should not be free to roam the streets and put other’s lives at risk. While there is always more work to be done, the passage of this bill sends a strong message to sanctuary cities that the protection of criminal aliens will not be tolerated.
Securing Our Border
As the House continues its work on immigration reform, you might be interested to know that I recently had an agency meeting with members from U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the President’s proposal for a border wall. I was specifically interested in learning more about the timeline for design and build, and the exact areas where the wall will be constructed - compared to places where a wall is not necessary due to natural barriers or geographical challenges. Additionally, I raised concerns about acquisition of land to build the wall, environmental reviews, and the status of the actual building process. A big thank you to CBP Acting Deputy Commissioner Ronald Vitiello for taking the time to discuss these issues with me.
Committee Activity
As you may know, the House Natural Resources Committee recently passed H.R. 1107, the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act. This bipartisan bill I introduced in May is the outcome of years of negotiation between ranchers, miners, environmental activists, recreationalists, and locally elected officials to resolve the political impasse which has hamstrung Pershing County’s ability to expand opportunities for growth. I thank the Committee Members and their staff for taking prompt action to advance this piece of legislation for the people of Pershing County. The speed with which it’s moved through the legislative process in the first quarter of the 115th Congress is gratifying and I’m extremely appreciative.
Looking Back
Over the last month, the House also passed a number of other bills focused on the following initiatives:
- Improving Americans’ ability to enter the workforce;
- Working to overturn harmful regulations;
- Providing our veterans with the care they deserve;
- and improving our nation’s health care system.
Below are a few bills that might be of interest to you:
H.R. 2353 – Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
In Nevada, the demand for highly skilled workers continues to grow – especially with the presence of large and innovative companies like Tesla. H.R. 2353 invests in Nevadans by providing state and local leaders with funding to help individuals learn the technical skills they need to earn good-paying jobs. Increasing Nevadans’ ability to secure these types of jobs, will in turn, increase the number of individuals who earn health insurance through their employer. This is especially important in Nevada where only about 50% of individuals receive employer-based coverage. Anytime we can help more Nevadans enter the workforce, we are simultaneously increasing people’s access to quality and affordable care. I was pleased to see the House pass this bill and will continue supporting similar measures.
H.R. 2842 - Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act
By encouraging state and local agencies to hire recipients from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, this bill will help people transition off welfare and secure employment. We must continue looking for ways to help Americans succeed. One way H.R. 2842 accomplishes this is by helping people learn the skills they need to enter the workforce and develop a lasting career.
S. 1094 – Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act
Last month, President Trump signed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law. This bipartisan legislation is part of the President’s 10-point plan to end corruption at the VA by removing, demoting, or suspending employees at the VA for performance issues, while protecting whistleblowers. By removing waste and abuse from the VA, this bill will ensure our nation’s veterans receive quality care. I was pleased to support this bill and see it swiftly signed into law.
H.R. 10 – Financial CHOICE Act
The House recently passed H.R. 10, the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017. This legislation would amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – the most sweeping financial regulation of our time – to deliver meaningful relief to financial institutions and consumers across the nation.
To begin with, I’m pleased to see the House Financial Services Committee exercise regular order to advance the CHOICE ACT, a bill that underwent several Committee hearings and an extensive three-day markup process before it was brought to the House Floor for a vote.
Since Dodd-Frank’s implementation, community banks are closing on average of one per day, while big banks continue to grow. As our community banks collapse, life has only gotten harder for families, veterans, and first-time homebuyers who are unable to get the support they need to get off the ground.
The CHOICE Act is an innovative approach to reforming our financial sector in a way that will help revive our economy, protect consumers, and get America back on track. Most importantly, it will save hardworking Americans billions of dollars by finally putting an end to “too big to fail” and abolishing taxpayer-funded bailouts – a strategy that Dodd-Frank actually endorsed. I’m pleased to see the House take swift action to pass this legislation, and hope that my colleagues in the Senate will follow our lead.
Click
here to go to my website and learn more about this legislation.
American Health Care Act (AHCA):
As the health care reform bill makes its way through the Senate, the House has continued its work on a 3-Phase plan to reform health care in America. The AHCA is Phase 1 of the plan, Phase 2 includes regulatory adjustments by HHS Secretary Tom Price, and Phase 3 involves Congress passing additional legislation to reduce costs and improve people’s access to care.
Below are some of the Phase 3 bills the House successfully passed in June with my support:
H.R. 2581 - Verify First Act
Under current law, when people apply for subsides under the Affordable Care Act, the law automatically assumes these individuals are eligible, and sends the money out— even if the individual applying is someone who came to our country illegally. This means that there are a number of individuals who are illegally receiving subsides backed by American taxpayers. The Verify First Act would ensure that no tax credits in the Affordable Care Act or the AHCA are paid out until the individual’s status as a citizen of the United States is verified.
H.R. 2372 - Veterans Equal Treatment Ensures Relief and Access Now (VETERAN) Act
This bill would give veterans the choice to either stay in the VA or receive financial support for a private health care plan. While the VA delivers for some veterans, no veteran should be forced to stay in a health care system that does not effectively meet their needs.
H.R. 2579 - Broader Options for America Act
Finally, this legislation would allow individuals who receive COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation coverage to access certain tax credits under the AHCA. Additionally, this bill would also ensure that individuals in similar situations – such as those who have lost their jobs or had their working hours reduced – will have the option of receiving assistance to pay for unsubsidized health premiums.
As health care remains at the forefront of Congress's agenda, I will continue sending out my health care updates, keeping you up to speed on any new information, and breaking down the specific impact it will have for us here in Nevada. If you happened to miss any of the health care updates I’ve sent out already, in regards to: Nevada’s Medicaid population; the uninsured population; keeping your current coverage; and insurance rates and premiums, you may find each of those updates by clicking
here. Stay tuned for my next update on Community Health Centers and women's health services.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on important health care updates in addition to the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
