A few upsets, a few bad calls, and a few happy outcomes
Dear Friend,
I hope you enjoyed a good weekend of March Madness. We saw a few upsets, a few bad calls, and a few outcomes that make us happy.
This week in the DC, we’ll be seeing a little March Madness of our own. And, yes we may see some upsets, some bad calls, and maybe a few outcomes that make us happy.
Two very significant issues are going to be on the front-burner.
First, the budget.
A budget is a reflection of our values. Budgets are not simply numbers on a spreadsheet. A budget shows what we care about and the nation we aspire to be.
Unfortunately, the budget recently introduced in the House fails to live up to our values and aspirations. And unfortunately, it is chock-full of gimmicks.
Let me give a few examples of some of my concerns.
- The proposed budget maintains the deep, across-the-board cuts laid out under the policy known as “sequestration.” We’ve seen the impact of those policies in our neck of the woods, and I’m dead-set against this ham-fisted approach to spending decisions. Sequestration isn’t a strategy – it’s a gimmick.
- The proposed budget ends the Medicare guarantee, meaning our parents and grandparents wouldn’t have certainty in receiving the medical insurance that they’ve spent a lifetime paying into. The proposed budget would re-open the prescription drug doughnut hole, immediately costing seniors more.
- The proposed budget makes deep cuts to infrastructure, education, and national research – investments that are critical to our national competitiveness. For example, the budget freezes Pell Grants, putting college further out of reach just when employers need more qualified workers.
- In addition to relying on more than a hundred billion dollars of accounting gimmicks, the proposed budget assumes $1.1 trillion in unnamed, unspecified cuts. Rather than laying out specific proposals, the budget simply implies: “Trust us. We’ll find $1.1 trillion in cuts.”
- While the stated reason for these cuts is to address our long-term debt, in the meantime the proposed budget cuts taxes by at least $50,000 per year for the average millionaire while providing no relief for middle-class families that are getting squeezed.
In my view, Congress needs to get into the habit of passing responsible budgets. In fact, I’ve sponsored a bill known as “No-Budget, No-Pay” that says if Congress doesn’t get its act together and pass a budget, then members of Congress shouldn’t get paid.
But the budget needs to live up to some basic principles.
It should help us get our nation’s long-term fiscal house in order, tackling our deficit in a comprehensive way. It should be based on real decisions – tough decisions – not accounting tricks and unspecified cuts. Rather than having draconian across-the-board cuts that undermine our economic competitiveness, the budget should make smart investments in our infrastructure, our education system and our national security. For those still feeling squeezed our budget should show the road to prosperity by rewarding hard work, providing educational opportunities, and promoting American ingenuity.
The proposed budget will be debated this week in the House. Honestly, I think we can do a lot better. I remain hopeful that Democrats and Republicans can come together on a smarter budget proposal and I will continue to do all I can to advocate in that regard.
Second, this week we expect to see action to reform the method of payments to medical providers.
This is a really important issue, but it gets really wonky really quickly. Let me try to provide a little background for you.
Back in 1997 in an attempt to control spending under the Medicare program, Congress created something called the “sustainable growth rate formula” also known as “SGR.” The SGR determines how much the federal government pays medical providers for treating Medicare and TRICARE patients. The formula is calculated by comparing the percentage increase in Medicare payments to physicians by the percentage increase in our nation’s economic growth (or gross domestic product).
The SGR was intended as a cost-controlling measure to promote sustainable reimbursement levels to Medicare and TRICARE providers.
But here’s the problem…. The change in reimbursements ended up laying out substantially deeper cuts than medical providers could bear (and deeper cuts than Congress anticipated back in 1997). There is very real concern that allowing the SGR to go into effect would cause doctors to stop accepting Medicare and TRICARE patients, resulting in some seniors and military members being unable to find a doctor.
As a consequence, Congress has consistently voted to override these reimbursement cuts. In fact, since just 2003, rather than permanently fixing the problem, Congress has voted 17 times to override these reimbursement cuts, kicking the can down the road time and time again.
That might actually change this year with the proposal of a bipartisan reform to the Medicare physician payment system. The bill would permanently repeal the existing sustainable growth rate and transition toward a payment system that takes into account the quality of care the patients receive.
While we are still reviewing the specifics of the bill, this may finally represent a bipartisan consensus for a solution to stop kicking the can down the road. My hope is that the final bill will permanently fix the SGR problem, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and extend the important Children’s Health Insurance Program. We are expecting this bill to be brought forward this week, so stay tuned!
Now, on to the other news. . . .
The Future of Our Forests
Earlier this year, the Forest Service announced it would hold listening sessions as they begin to consider revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan. This is the start of a long and important conversation.
The Forest Plan sets how we balance conservation and timber harvest goals for our federal forests in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. As a result, it has significant implications for the health of our forests and the economic health of communities in our region.
I am hopeful that, as the plan is updated, it incorporates the latest science so we have the most effective strategy for healthy forests. In addition, I also think it’s important for communities on the Peninsula to have their voices heard.
The plan is a big deal for folks in our region, so folks deserve a say as potential updates are considered. Changes should happen with the folks most impacted – not to the folks most impacted.
Here’s the bad news. Unfortunately, so far, the Forest Service has only scheduled listening sessions to take place in Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Redding, California. In other words, they’re not making any effort to hear from folks in the rural communities of the Northwest.
I expect many of you are interested in how this plan will be shaped. But it’s hard for you to weigh in if you have to drive all the way to Seattle or Portland just to have a say.
With that in mind, this past week I joined with Democrats and Republicans from Washington, Oregon, and California in calling on the Forest Service to allow our region’s voice to be heard – asking that they hold listening sessions in our rural communities that are most affected by these policies. Stay tuned for updates if and when opportunities to weigh in arise.
A New Wrinkle in Climate Change
On the Appropriations Committee, we recently visited with Dr. Frances Cordova, the Director of the National Science Foundation. During her testimony, she spoke about the importance of researching new challenges facing our country. I asked her about climate change, and specifically about the challenge posed by melting Arctic ice.
We discussed the importance of investing in quality research so we can better understand how rising sea levels and the push from other nations to seize natural resources that open up in new Arctic waters impacts our country and our security.
Climate change is real. This is an issue that involves not only protecting our environment. It’s also about protecting our economic interests, our communities, and our national security. Not only is climate change a treat to our future, it’s presenting new challenges for our region and the world today.
Our March is Not Over
Earlier this month I shared a few of the incredible moments I experienced during my trip to Selma, Alabama for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. If you haven’t had the chance to already, please take a look at the pictures I posted online here.
In my view, this was more than a moving commemoration – it was an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of voting rights. It’s time for members of Congress to take up and pass a new Voting Rights Act, legislation that would put the teeth back into the VRA and counter voter disenfranchisement.
You can read more about why I’m pushing Congress to take up this issue here in the Tacoma News Tribune.
A Visit to the Naval Shipyard
A couple of weeks back, I had the pleasure of being in Bremerton bright and early to talk with workers at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Our shipyard workers are central to keeping the world’s strongest Navy running. We should all appreciate the work they do day in and day out. Thanks to all those who stopped to chat, ask questions and give suggestions. I hope to be back soon!
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Call Your Grandmother
Finally, I’d like to end with a tribute to my grandma. Later this month she will celebrate her 105th birthday. (In case you are wondering – yes – I really do hope I have those genes!).
In her lifetime my grandma has seen so much and has been a testament to the American dream. Oma came to the U.S. with $20 and the clothes on her back and has had such a full life. She has seen so much. Click here to watch my speech on the House floor honoring her upcoming birthday.
Thanks as always for reading and don't hesitate to reach out if our office can be helpful to you.
As always, I'm honored to work for you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer