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This week, President Trump signed an executive order to improve access, increase choices, and lower costs for health care. The order works to allow American employers to form groups across state lines and instructs relevant agencies to examine other ways to provide relief from Obamacare.
Thanks to dysfunction in the Senate, Congress has not been able to deliver on our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system. While I would have preferred these moves come from Congress, I am grateful President Trump acted to deliver relief to Americans suffering under Obamacare. This executive order works to deliver choice and control back to patients and is a good step towards lowering health care costs.
I look forward to continued work with President Trump to finally repeal Obamacare and lower health care costs for all Americans. |
| Addressing the Opioid Epidemic |
Also this week, I testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss my experience with the opioid epidemic as a lifelong pharmacist and what I believe needs to be done to curb the epidemic. To watch my testimony, click here.
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| From our Nation's Capitol CXXXV |
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Tuesday, October 10, 2017: This past weekend I attended the Chatham County GOP breakfast where we heard from two of the Republican Secretary of State candidates, Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville) and Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus). We are fortunate to have a number of good candidates running for statewide offices next year. Also on Saturday, I had the opportunity to stop by Monterey Square in downtown Savannah for the Big Wig Bake Sale where WTOC news anchor Cyreia Sandlin was wearing a big pink wig while selling baked goodies to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. This is a great charity where 100 percent of the proceeds go to Komen of Coastal Georgia. Yesterday, I flew to Austin, Texas, where I wake up this morning and am the keynote speaker at the 2017 Innovatix and Essensa National Meeting and Expo. Innovatix and Essensa are two of the nation’s leading group purchasing organizations for pharmacy and post-acute care communities. Afterwards, I fly to Washington and, once at the Capitol, I head to my office where I meet with staff for a briefing on a hearing scheduled for tomorrow regarding the 340b pharmacy program. Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we review the agenda for the upcoming week before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017: Tax reform and hurricane relief funds are the main topics of discussion this morning at our weekly GOP conference. Afterwards, I head to an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on “Examining How Covered Entities Utilize the 340b Drug Pricing Program.” A link to my questions at this hearing can be found here. Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing where we invite members in for testimony and proposals on the opioid crisis. A link to my testimony can be found here.
Rep. Carter at the 5th Annual Capitol Hill Health Fair |
Afterwards, I head to the Rayburn foyer where I take part in the celebration of Pharmacy Week by stopping by the 5th Annual Capitol Hill Health Fair. Here, student pharmacists from nearby universities provided blood pressure, cholesterol, body composition and blood glucose screenings as well as influenza vaccinations to Members of Congress, their aides, and the general public. Next, I head to the Library of Congress to join up with members of the Ivy Sunday School Class at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah who are visiting this week. Amy and I have been members of this class since 1980 and we are excited to have our dear friends visiting the Capitol. Afterwards, I head to my office where I meet with the American Medical Association before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Once back in my office, I meet with representatives from Total System Services followed by a meeting with representatives from Kroger where I learn about their new corporate pledge, Zero Hunger/Zero Waste. After a meeting with Rep. Henry Waxman, who served as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee before his retirement, to discuss drug pricing issues, I welcome members of the Ivy Class to my office before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.
Thursday, October 12, 2017: I’m up early this morning to meet members of the Ivy Class in the House Chamber to give them a private tour of the Chamber and to take them to the Speaker’s Balcony where they have a view of the National Mall looking out to the Washington Monument. Many consider this to be one of the best views in Washington.
Rep. Carter with members of the Ivy Sunday School Class at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah |
Afterwards, I head back to my office where I record a video on opioids and National Drug Take Back Day before meeting with representatives from Management and Training Corporation to discuss the Job Corps program in Georgia. Later, I meet with representatives from Georgia Smart Transportation before heading downtown for a meeting dealing with issues related to the Energy and Commerce Committee. Once back at the Capitol, I head to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day where we pass legislation that will provide $36.5 billion in disaster relief for victims of recent hurricanes and wildfires. This bill will provide $18.7 billion for FEMA’s disaster-relief fund, $16 billion to help the nation’s flood insurance program and $576.5 million for wildfire efforts as well as give Puerto Rico access to a $4.9 billion low-interest loan to help them avoid a government shutdown. Afterwards, I stay on the floor and deliver a one minute speech where I recognize October as National Pharmacists Month. A link to my speech can be found here. My final meeting of the day is with representatives from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to discuss the severe shortage of practitioners across the country.
Friday, October 13, 2017: I’m at the White House first thing this morning to help a group of constituents to gain access for a tour. Once back at the Capitol, I head to an Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee briefing where we hear from EPA and state officials on the damage and related issues associated with the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. Afterwards, I head out to the Capitol Plaza where I record a video dealing with a recent resolution that I will be introducing before heading to the airport for my return trip home. |
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