Rep. Green Supports Bipartisan Budget Act

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Feb. 13, supporting the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.R. 1892):

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Bipartisan Budget Act, H.R. 1892, which will provide much needed federal funding to help Houston and Harris County rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, reauthorize several critical health programs, and keeps the federal government open through March 23.

Hurricane Harvey's destruction was beyond anything witnessed in living memory in Texas. A record 52 inches of rain fell on Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast, causing catastrophic flooding in our nation's fourth largest city.

Harvey damaged over 300,000 homes and apartments in the City of Houston alone. Statewide, nearly 600,000 homes have been inspected by FEMA for flood or wind damage. Most tragically, 88 Texans lost their lives to Harvey's wrath.

This bipartisan agreement will provide $89 billion towards disaster recovery and relief for Texas and the other states and territories impacted by hurricanes and wildfires last year.

This includes $15 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to repair and construction new flood control projects in federal disaster areas. These funds are critical to protect Houston and Harris County from the next major storm event. Our region has been impacted by flooding for three straight years: the 2015 Memorial Day Floods, the 2016 Tax Day Floods, and Hurricane Harvey last August.

Last November, the State of Texas released a report requesting $36 billion in flood control projects for the Gulf Coast region. This request included critical projects that are necessary to protection our district and Greater Houston from future flooding, including a new reservoir along Cypress Creek and a coastal barrier to protect Galveston Bay from a catastrophic storm surge.

It is my hope that Congress will provide additional federal funding for flood control projects for Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast when Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) needs to be reauthorized later this year.

One of the greatest accomplishments in the Bipartisan Budget Act is the additional years of funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In January, CHIP received funding for six years. With the enactment of this legislation, an additional 4 years of funding will be added, extending the program on which nearly 400,000 children from my home state of Texas rely on for access to stable and affordable care.

In addition to extending CHIP for a total of 10 years, this legislation also provides 2 years' worth of funding for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). The Bipartisan Budget Act provided FQHCs with $3.8 billion for the current year and $4 billion in FY2019.

Both FQHCs and CHIP have enjoyed bipartisan support for many years. FQHCs have had bipartisan support since the 1960s and CHIP since it was created by Congress in 1997 with my vocal support. Both programs work because they provide individuals with access to needed healthcare services at affordable rates. Funding for both programs ended in September and we came perilously close to losing both programs when the Republicans failed to include funding for either program in previous Continuing Resolution (CRs).

It was not until January that CHIP received funding, but only for a period of 6 years whereas this bipartisan budget agreement extends to a total of 10 years, through FY2027. CHIP is a vital program that many children rely for access to healthcare providers, preventive services and ongoing care which helps to ultimately keep health care costs low as well as keep a greater number of children healthy because they are able to access care before their conditions worsen.

Many of my constituents have written to me expressing concern about the annual Medicare payment limits for outpatient services, also known as therapy caps. I am happy to say that the spending limits were permanently repealed making it easier for individuals receiving therapy services in our community to continue getting the services they need in order to heal, and in many instances remain independent and in the community. Medicare recipients will continue to enjoy the benefits of therapy services whether physical, speech or occupational without fear that such services will end prematurely because they have met or exceeded a certain financial threshold.

Last year, the Senate passed the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act. This bill made it possible to extend the Independence at Home Demonstration that allows the chronically ill to receive care while in the home without having to move to a long-term care facility. This legislation also expands telehealth beyond current geographical limitations as well as permanently authorizing Special Needs Plans for chronically ill individuals.

The Bipartisan Budget Act will increase Medicare payment for home health providers by 1.5 percent for 2020 and for skilled nursing facilities by 2.4 percent for FY2019.

Today's legislation, unfortunately, does not include provisions to protect beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and young persons brought into our country without authorization, commonly known as "Dreamers." Our district is home to one of the largest populations of Dreamers in the United States and Texas has the second largest number of DACA beneficiaries in the country. It is critical that Congress act immediately and pass legislation that will protect our young people from losing their work authorization and from possible deportation. I am a proud cosponsor of the DREAM Act, which would codify the protections provided under the DACA Program and deserving Dreamers a pathway to legalization and earned citizenship.

I ask that my colleague join me in support of the thousands of disaster victims across the United States and the millions of children and low income Americans who benefit from affordable health coverage and services provided through CHIP and FQHCs, and vote in support of this important legislation.