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| Foxx Report |
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This week the House passed several pieces of bipartisan legislation to improve health care, benefits and services for our nation’s veterans. The entire nation owes our military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude, and ensuring that debt is properly repaid is one of my top priorities in Congress. It is critically important that we provide high-quality, timely care for those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.
H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, makes a number of improvements to VA health care, the disability compensation process and other veterans services. H.R. 5399, the Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2016, requires VA doctors to promptly report unethical activities of other physicians to the applicable state licensing authority, in accordance with the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics.
H.R. 4352, the Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016, directs the VA to carry out an 18-month pilot program of commercial patient self-scheduling software and establish capabilities standards for such a system. S. 3076, the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016, authorizes VA to furnish a casket or urn for a deceased veteran laid to rest in a national, state or tribal cemetery if their family cannot afford it.
H.R. 5099, the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016, authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to allow non-federal entities - including state or city governments, nonprofit organizations and benefactors - to donate up to five facilities to VA. H.R. 6435 allows directors of VA’s regional networks to enter into a contract with an appropriate non-VA entity with expertise in health care evaluation to investigate any VA medical center within that director’s jurisdiction.
Improving America’s Water Resources Infrastructure
This week the House passed S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation, which authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects that address the needs of America’s harbors, locks, dams and other infrastructure that supports the maritime and waterways transportation system. It also provides critical flood protection for homes and businesses.
This bipartisan legislation streamlines and strengthens water transportation networks to help create jobs and support economic growth. It also makes these investments in a fiscally responsible way that will strengthen congressional oversight and transparency.
Increasing Transparency in International Regulatory Discussions
On Wednesday the House passed H.R. 5143, the Transparent Insurance Standards Act of 2016, which provides greater transparency and congressional oversight of international insurance standards setting processes. The legislation establishes a series of requirements to be met before the Treasury Department or the Federal Reserve may agree to, accept, establish, enter into or consent to the adoption of a final international insurance standard.
Funding the Federal Government
On Thursday the House passed legislation to fund the federal government through April 28, 2017. The bill includes funds to carry out the 21st Century Cures Act, addresses the infrastructure and health needs of communities impacted by contaminated drinking water and supports military and diplomatic efforts to fight ISIS and terror around the globe.
What’s Coming Up
The House will recess for the holidays and return on January 2, 2017, to begin the 115th Congress. At this special time of year, I hope you will join me in praying for our nation's military personnel who serve America with enormous personal sacrifice and often must spend the holidays away from their loved ones. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a happy new year.
Sincerely,
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