H.R. 1098, H.R. 1281, H.R. 4080, H.R. 3548, And H.R. 4631

Floor Speech

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for five public health bills before the House today.

H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014, extends surveillance and research activities for traumatic brain injuries (or TBI), as well as other programs for TBI services and supports overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. I represent the nation's largest Veterans Affairs health facility--the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. TBI is one of many complex health problems affecting the veteran community served by this facility. I am pleased that we were able to include a provision in the bill that calls on HHS and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to report on their progress in coordinating TBI efforts for current and former members of the military. I also want to commend the sponsors of the legislation, Congressman Pascrell and Congressman Rooney, for their work on this issue.

H.R. 1281, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014, extends newborn screening services and related activities for many conditions that are not otherwise apparent at birth and, if left untreated, can cause severe disability or even death. I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and Congressman Simpson, as well as the sponsors of the Senate companion bill, Senators Hagan and Hatch. The bill before the House today is the product of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations to assure House and Senate passage of this measure. I would also like to thank Senators Harkin and Alexander for their leadership on this measure in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

H.R. 4080, the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act, reauthorizes four grant programs that seek to improve access to trauma care services within states and in rural areas. Energy and Commerce Members, Congressmen Burgess and Green, are to be commended for their sponsorship of this legislation and leadership on trauma care issues.
We are also considering another bill today related to trauma care: H.R. 3548, the Improving Trauma Care Act. This legislation expands the current definition of trauma for the purposes of trauma care grants to include burns and other injuries resulting from electrical, chemical, or other exposures. Congressman Johnson should be commended for his work on this issue.

Finally, H.R. 4631, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014, would extend autism spectrum disorder activities at the Department of Health and Human Services and ensure these efforts are better coordinated with activities across the federal government. The legislation before us reflects bipartisan and bicameral efforts to advance a bill that can pass both chambers well in advance of the September 30 sunset provisions that are in current law. I want to thank Congressmen Smith and Doyle, as well as Senators Menendez and Enzi, who sponsored the Senate companion bill. And again, I would like to thank Senators Harkin and Alexander for their work on this issue in the HELP Committee.
All of these bills were worked out with Mr. Pallone, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Upton. I appreciate their cooperation and contributions, and I am pleased to support all five of these bipartisan measures and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the hard work of staff on both sides of the aisle, and to commend them for their work on these bills, I particularly want to recognize Anne Morris Reid, our lead public health staffer, who has moved on to a job in the Senate, but leaves the House with an impressive record of accomplishment.

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