[Back to Legislative]

At all ages, good health is important to enjoying life and being a productive member of society. In the 107^th Congress, I have given high priority to finding solutions to some of our society's most serious health concerns and have sponsored and co-sponsored a wide array of health related bills. Many of these measures would expand research, treatment and prevention of conditions such as HIV/AIDS, ovarian cancer, tuberculosis, breast cancer, Hepatitis C, cervical cancer, heart disease, prostate cancer and juvenile diabetes. It is critical to find solutions to these debilitating diseases, and I am proud to lead the fight against them.

KEY ISSUES FROM THE 107TH CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION:

H.R. 3063, Public Safety Officers Protection Act:

Continuing my support of our nation's brave fire fighters, police officers and first respondents, I sponsored H.R. 3063, the Public Safety Officer Protection Act. The bill would provide financial aid to individuals who develop or die from cancer due to actions taken in the line of duty, as well as to their families. At least 15 studies have shown a statistical link between brain cancer and firefighting. Cancer-causing vapors in smoke are believed to come from commonly found glues, wraps, paints, insulation and other building materials when they catch fire. The families of deceased officers would receive $250,000 and disabled officers would receive a share of federal funds set aside for public safety officers disabled in the line of duty. September 11^th so clearly shows that public safety officers are there for us in our hour of greatest need. They deserve to be protected in their time of need.

HR 1295, Breast Cancer License Plate Matching Grant Act:

Breast Cancer survivors will tell you that fighting the disease can be both exhausting and painful. Overcoming the disease is that much harder, though, for women that do not have health insurance or who come from low-income backgrounds. To address these difficulties Congressman Baca introduced the Breast Cancer License Plate Matching Grant Act. The bill makes matching grants available to States in order to encourage the establishment of State license plate programs that provide funds for the treatment of breast cancer, for research on breast cancer, and for educational activities regarding breast cancer.

Nursing Shortage Crisis:

I have worked to find a solution to the nursing shortage in California and in many states across the nation and am currently working on a bill to address the shortage. I have also co-sponsored several nursing bills and made appropriations requests to promote nursing. The Nurse Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1436, would award grants to entities to promote nursing and would establish a National Nursing Service Corps Scholarship Program to give scholarships to individuals interested in becoming nurses. H.R.3238 would increase patient and nurse safety by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work. H.R. 4665, the Nurse Education Promotion Act, would award grants to associate degree schools of nursing and professional nursing organizations to improve nursing education. Congressman Baca also requested additional funding in his appropriations requests for the Nurse Loan Repayment program and the Nurse Education Act.

Quality nurses and the services they provide are essential to maintaining good health. I have worked hard to ensure that nurses get the quality training and fair working conditions that will allow them to perform their important duties to the best of their abilities and to ensure that we get the quality care we all need.

KEY ISSUES FROM THE 107TH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION:

Patients Bill of Rights:

Congress is currently engaged in a battle to protect patients' rights. On one side are patients and consumer groups, who want HMOs to let doctors base decisions on health needs. On the other side is President Bush, the HMOs and the insurance companies, who want to strip protections from patients - including repealing many laws passed by the California Legislature.

The bottom line is HMOs care about profits instead of health needs. HMOs are not making sound decisions about the health needs of our families, our children, our parents and grandparents. We must shift priorities away from money and back to the patient! Away from HMOs and back to our doctors!

This is about direct access for women to see an ob-gyn, for children to see a pediatrician, for patients to see emergency care specialists. This is a matter of life or death! We should remember who we are talking about: our children, our parents, our grandparents and our neighbors.

Medicaid Upper Payment Limit for California

I fought against the proposed rule by CMS to close the Medicaid upper payment limit (UPL) "loop" in an effort to crack down on abuses of federal Medicaid funding by certain states. This proposed rule unfairly penalizes California, which has always played by the rules.

All of the federal funds for California's program are used exclusively to provide healthcare services to low-income and medically needy patients. Over the years, these funds have become an integral part of the patchwork of funding that supports safety net hospitals. The loss of these funds pushes this fragile and unstable financing system to the brink of collapse.

The reduction of the UPL to 100 percent will result in a loss of at least $1 billion in federal Medicaid payments to California's safety net hospitals over the course of the transition. At the end of the transition, California will lose at least $300 million per year on an ongoing basis.

CONGRESSMAN BACA'S PRO-HEALTH VOTES IN THE CONGRESS:

NO	Roll #282, (6/28/02) On passage of HR 4954, the Republican Prescription Drug Bill. The bill did not offer a dependable prescription drug plan for those that need it the most. It has a coverage gap, so that beneficiaries would pay out-of-pocket for all drug expenses between $2,000 and $3,800! The Republican plan depends on private insurers leading to a great deal of instability. The plan offers limited access to prescribed medicines and pharmacies based on the whims of private insurers. The Republican plan also does not offer a guaranteed minimum benefit as private insurers can offer vastly different premiums and benefits. Congressman Baca supported the Democratic Prescription drug plan. It does not have a coverage gap, charges a lower deductible, pays out a higher benefit, covers a broad range of prescribed medicines and pharmacies and would use the collective bargaining clout of 40 million Medicare beneficiaries to negotiate fair drug prices.
YES	Roll # 281, (6/28/02) On motion to recommit HR 4954 with instructions. To encourage the reconsideration of a genuine and dependable prescription drug benefit.
YES	Roll # 173(5/20/02). On motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con Res. 309, to recognize the Importance of Good Cervical Health and of Detecting Cervical Cancer During its Earliest Stages.
NO	Roll #170, (5/16/02) On passage of HR 4737, The Republican TANF reauthorization bill. The bill contained provisions harmful to individuals fighting to get off of Welfare. It did not allow education to be counted as a valid activity, preventing Welfare recipients the opportunity to prepare for the workforce. Limited a parents' ability to stay home and care for their child. Excluded job search and vocational education as direct work activities. Takes flexibility away from states, so that California and its 58 counties will have a harder time implementing programs that meet the needs of welfare recipients and can effectively move them into the workforce.
YES	Roll # 169, (5/16/02) On motion to recommit HR 4737 with instructions. To encourage compromises on harmful sections of the Republican TANF reauthorization bill.
YES	Roll#493, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R.3448, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act. The bill improves the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, building upon core public health capabilities, to carry out health-related activities to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Requires collaboration with States and local governments to ensure a national bioterrorism and public health emergency preparedness plan. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories. Provides for: (1) the education of health care personnel regarding recognition and identification of bioweapons; and (2) grants to train health professionals and register volunteers. Requires the maintenance of a national stockpile or stockpiles of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and other supplies adequate to meet the health security needs of the United States in the event of a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency. Provides for countermeasure research, development, and evaluation. Provides for the waiver of certain Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP requirements during national emergencies. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of dangerous biological agents and toxins. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the protection of the food and drug supply againstintentional adulteration.Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the water supply against terrorist and other intentional acts.
YES	Roll#467, 12/04/01, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3391, the Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act. The legislation provides regulatory relief and contracting flexibility under the Medicare Program.
YES	Roll#444, 11/15/01, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R.2887 as amended. The Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals for children.
YES	Roll#381, 10/11/01, on passage of H.R. 3061 making appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services for Fiscal Year 2002. Increases funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $2.7 billion, increased funding for Community Health Centers.
YES	Roll#349, 9/24/01, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R.717 as amended. The Muscular Dystroph Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for research with respect to various forms of muscular dystrophy, including Duchenne, Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophies.
NO	Roll#332, 8/02/01, on final passage of H.R.2563. This year Congress came very close to passing a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights. Disappointingly, the Administration struck an eleventh hour compromise that limited the patient protections offered in the legislation. The resulting legislation would actually provide less protection for patients in California. The President's plan makes it hard for injured patients to sue HMOs, and caps damages.
YES	Roll#90, 5/01/01, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.CON.RES.91 which recognized the importance of increasing awareness of the autism spectrum disorder, and supporting programs for greater research and improved treatment of autism and improved training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for them.
YES	Roll #51, 3/20/01, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. RES. 67 as amended, recognizing the importance of combating tuberculosis on a worldwide basis, and acknowledging the severe impact that TB has on minority populations in the United States. Baca is co-sponsor.
YES	Roll #31, 3/07/01, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R.624 as amended. The Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2001 promotes organ donation. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or contracts to States, transplant centers, qualified organ procurement organizations, or other public or private entities for the purpose of providing payment for: (1) travel and subsistence expenses incurred by individuals toward living donations of their organs; and (2) such incidental nonmedical expenses that are so incurred as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Sets forth payment eligibility criteria and limitations, including that payments may be made for the qualifying expenses of a donating individual only if: (1) the State in which the donating individual resides is a different State than the State in which the intended recipient of the organ resides; and (2) the annual income of the intended recipient of the organ does not exceed $35,000.
YES	Roll #30, 3/07/01, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.CON.RES. 31 which expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation and supporting National Donor Day.
YES	Roll #13, 2/13/01, on motion to suspend the Rules and Pass H.R.2, as amended. The Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act establishes a procedure to safeguard the surpluses of the Social Security and Medicare hospital insurance trust funds.

SPONSORED LEGISLATION:

H.R. 1295 Breast Cancer License Plate Matching Grant Act: This legislation creates a breast cancer license plate state grant matching fund program. The bill will provide funds for the treatment of breast cancer, for research on such cancer, and for educational activities regarding breast cancer.

H.R. 1218 Prostate Cancer Bill: Creates African American Health Initiative Grant Program, including funds for San Bernardino County. Provides for an African American Health Initiative under which demonstration projected conduct targeted health campaigns directed at high-risk African American populations. Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 3063 Public Safety Officers Protection Act: Provides fire fighters, police officers and first respondents with financial aid when they develop cancer and either die or become disabled by it due to exposure in the line of duty. The families of deceased officers would receive $250,000 and disabled officers would receive a share of federal funds set aside for public safety officers disabled in the line of duty.

KEY CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION:

H.R. 162 (Roukema). Mental and Substance Abuse Parity Amendments of 2001: Prohibits group and individual health plans from imposing treatment limitations or financial requirements on coverage of mental health and substance abuse, if similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on medical and surgical benefits.

H.R. 504 (Green). Provides grants to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for the uninsured and underinsured.

H.R. 602 (Slaughter). Genetic Non-Discrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act - prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance.

H.R. 633 (De Lauro/Leach). WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) Expansion Act of 2001: Enacts several measures to combat heart disease, the leading cause of death for women.

H.R. 1269 (Crowley). Global Health Act of 2001: seeks to improve the health of men, women and children around the world by increasing assistance to developing nations with high levels of infectious diseases, high maternal and child mortality and high incidence of preventable diseases.

H.R. 2063 (Pelosi). To permit States the option to provide Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals infectious diseases.

H.R. 2610 (Lowey). Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act of 2001: Provides for coverage of pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women.

H.R. 5019 (Rangel). The Democratic Prescription Drug Proposal.

H.R. 5124 (Luther). To provide for the establishment of a National Organ Donor Registry.

CONGRESSMAN BACA'S FUNDED GRANT REQUESTS:

• July 12, 2001: $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to San Bernardino County Public Health Department for the Maternal Health Program.
• September 17, 2001: $288,962 grant from the Department of Education to the San Bernardino City Unified School District for the Drug & Violence Prevention coordinators For Middle Schools Program.
• September 30, 2001: $339,524 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to the Visiting Nurse Association of the Inland Counties to implement a Telemedicine Disease Management Program. The program will serve high-risk congestive heart failure patients in the rural areas throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California.
• December 19, 2001: $524, 682 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Primary Health Care for the Health Center Cluster Project to the Community Health Systems, Inc. of Bloomington.
• June 5, 2002: $100,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Service's Maternal and Child Health Bureau to San Bernardino County Public Health Department. This grant will be used to provide abstinence education, and at the option of States, where appropriate, mentoring, counseling, and adult supervision to promote abstinence from sexual activity, with a focus on those groups most likely to bear children out of wedlock.

---

CONGRESSMAN BACA'S HEALTH RECORD FROM THE 106th CONGRESS (1999-2000)

Congressman Baca continued his strong record from the state legislature of:

• Promoting women's health, by supporting legislation such as H.R. 4386, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, and raising Congressional support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
• Fighting for men's health, including co-sponsoring legislation to create a postal stamp to fund prostate cancer research (H.R. 2562).
• Fighting for children's health, by working as a member of the Diabetes Caucus to support initiatives such as H.ConRes321, urging increased Federal funding for juvenile (Type 1) diabetes research, and H.R. 1472, to create a stamp to fund diabetes research.
• He also opposed severe cuts in health care programs for the elderly proposed by the Republicans, and fought to reduce the power of HMOs, by allowing physicians to engage in collective bargaining.

CONGRESSMAN BACA COMPILED THE FOLLOWING PRO-HEALTH CARE VOTING RECORD:

YES	Roll # 151, 5/9/00, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 4386, Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act. Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide medical assistance for certain women screened and found to have breast or cervical cancer under a federally funded screening program, to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to surveillance and information concerning the relationship between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and for other purposes.
YES	Roll # 152, 5/9/00, H.R. 4635, Children's Health Act if 2000. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass as Amended. Creates additional programs for child health, including for diabetes.
YES	Roll # 222, 5/23/00, H.R. 2498, Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, suspend the Rules and Pass as amended. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the placement of automatic external defibrillators in Federal buildings in order to improve survival rates of individuals who experience cardiac arrest.
NO	Roll # 273, 6/14/00, on Passage of HR 4577, making Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services for Fiscal Year 2001. Cuts education funding, including repealing the commitment to hire 100,000 new teachers to reduce class size; denies $1.3 billion to renovate 5,000 schools for urgent safety repairs; cuts $1 billion in teacher quality initiatives for recruitment and training; eliminates funding for elementary and secondary school counselors; blocks OSHA regulation on ergonomics (workplace injuries); cuts funding to protect elderly Americans, including eliminating family care and support for 250,000 Americans with long term care needs, cuts funds to enforce nursing quality, cuts mental health for seniors, cuts funding for battered women's shelters, family planning, and health coverage for uninsured workers.
YES	Roll # 372, 6/30/00, on Passage of H.R. 1304, the Quality Health Care Coalition Act. Allows for physician collective bargaining. Baca is co-sponsor. Doctors support the bill.

Updated August 2002.