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Healthcare
The Ways and Means Committee, of which I am a member, has jurisdiction over many areas of health care, including Medicare. This has allowed me to be directly involved in numerous legislative proposals seeking to improve health care for all Americans.
Expanding healthcare options
Since coming to Congress, I have worked hard to expand healthcare options and bring down the cost of care in rural areas and community settings, as well as in suburban and urban care facilities. I have worked to expand home health options, including medical adult day care, which would provide daytime respite for seniors suffering from Alzheimer's and other serious chronic conditions. I am proud to have secured this provision in 2003's Medicare Modernization Act. I am also a strong supporter of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which are portable, non-taxed savings accounts that can be used to pay for medical and retiree health expenses.
I introduced legislation that would expand FSAs to include dental care items. My bill allows products such as tooth brushes, dental floss, fluoride and anti-cavity rinses to be purchased with FSA money. Hopefully through improved access to these products children and adults will more easily prevent tooth decay and dental disease.
Congressman Lewis speaking to Medicare beneficiaries about the importance of removing complex wheelchairs from the competitive bidding process. These chairs were recently included into this process, which could compromise patients' abilities to receive these specialized chairs. Congressman Lewis co-authored legislation that would remove complex wheelchairs from competitive bidding.
Enhancing Medicare for Seniors
The Medicare program was signed into law in 1965, allocating hundreds of billions of dollars each year to provide Americans over 65 with access to quality health care. The most significant legislative change to Medicare was signed into law on December 8, 2003.
The Medicare Modernization Act laid the groundwork for Medicare to do more than ever before in the areas of prevention, wellness, disease management, and prescription drug coverage. I strongly supported this bill and am proud that Medicare now covers preventative screenings, a "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam, increased access to many kinds of health plans and physicians, and new options to treat chronic disease.
The most important element of the MMA was the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Medicare Part D) which went into effect on January 1, 2006. The new drug benefit, provided through insurers and other private companies approved by Medicare, offers savings for enrolled seniors of all income levels. Seniors at one time paid full retail prices have seen their prescription drug spending reduced by as much as 25 percent, and their overall out-of-pocket drug spending fall dramatically. In addition, because increased competition between drug manufacturers have helped drive down high drug costs, seniors are benefiting from lower drug costs just by being enrolled in the plan.
Protecting Coverage for Children
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a vital program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income children. I am proud to have supported this program since its creation in 1997. On December 19, 2007, I voted in favor of S. 2499, legislation to extend the SCHIP program through March 31, 2009, with an additional $800 million in funds to ensure that no one currently eligible for SCHIP is denied access to the program.
