Correcting Miscalculations in Veterans' Pensions Act
This week the House passed my legislation that works to protect American veterans from military service deposit errors made by federal agencies. 

Currently, veterans working at a federal agency are required to pay a military service deposit in order to count their time in military service toward their civil service pension. Due to a misclassification in the type of the employee’s status, the federal agency will charge different interest rates on those military service deposits, often leading to miscalculations. 

Once the federal agency becomes aware of the miscalculation, they will contact the veteran employee and notify them of the need to pay back the balance with accrued interest. In some scenarios, that interest can be tens of thousands of dollars that the veteran would be required to pay. 

Currently, there is no recourse for veterans to mediate that payment and there is no authority for the federal agency to wipe away the incorrectly accrued interest.

This is unacceptable. 

My legislation, the Correcting Miscalculations in Veterans' Pensions Act, authorizes agencies that make a mistake in calculating military service deposits and pensions to pay the incorrectly accrued interest on behalf of veterans.

I introduced this legislation because I have heard firsthand from veterans who have been put in this intolerable situation. Federal agencies, not our brave veterans, should pay the interest payments when the federal government is responsible for the miscalculation.

My legislation will now be considered by the United States Senate. 

A bipartisan, Bicameral opioid package
The House approved a bipartisan, bicameral opioid package this week designed to combat the opioid epidemic. The legislation works to combat the opioid crisis by addressing prevention, advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, and improving efforts to fight illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. 

Included in the package are three bills I introduced. 

We are losing 115 Americans every day to the opioid crisis. As a pharmacist, I viewed addressing prescription drug abuse as part of my professional duty and I have continued this work in Congress. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in the Energy and Commerce Committee to provide these solutions to address prevention, treatment and recovery of opioid addiction and abuse. While this is not the end of this fight, passage of this bipartisan and bicameral package is a strong step forward.

My bills in the package include:
  • The Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act. Currently, federal law prohibits a medical practitioner from dispensing controlled substances through the internet without first evaluating the patient in-person. This legislation, the Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act, instructs the Attorney General to take the necessary steps to allow for the prescription of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other controlled substances via telemedicine. It requires a special registration to connect patients with the treatment they need without risking important safeguards to prevent misuse or diversion.
  • The Abuse Deterrent Access Act. Abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent a breakthrough technology that helps prevent the crushing, snorting, and injection of painkillers.  Currently, many prescription drug plans present access barriers for chronic pain patients to ADFs including cost-sharing tiers, fail-first requirements, and prior authorization requirements. Instead of receiving ADFs, often patients are limited to using traditional opioids that can be easily diverted, crushed, snorted, and injected. My legislation, the Abuse Deterrent Access Act of 2018, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on barriers to accessing abuse deterrent opioid formulations for chronic pain patients enrolled in Medicare.
  • The Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act introduced with Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-Ca.). This legislation would require federal agencies to develop and distribute materials to better educate pharmacists on when they are allowed by law to decline to fill a prescription for a controlled substance. These circumstances include the suspicion of fraud, forgery, or other forms of alteration.

"Gag Clause" ban headed to President Trump
Great news! A ban on "gag clause" provisions is heading to President Trump to be signed into law. 

Currently, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are able to include requirements in contracts that prevent pharmacists from providing advice to their patients on the best and cheapest out-of-pocket alternatives to medications covered under insurance. This is commonly known as a "gag clause." As a result, patients may be paying more for their prescriptions than is warranted.

It is unacceptable that a pharmacist can't tell you when it would be cheaper to pay cash for your medications instead of using your insurance. That is why I introduced legislation to prohibit "gag clauses." This week, the House approved two Senate companion bills to my legislation, sending them to President Trump.

Having experience with gag clause provisions firsthand as a pharmacist for more than 30 years, I am thrilled a ban is now heading to be signed into law. 

While banning gag clause provisions is critical, our work to lower prescription drug pricing is far from over. We must focus on additional common sense measures that will have real results for American patients.

From our Nation's Capitol CLXXXI

Monday, September 24, 2018:  I’m on Sea Island in Glynn County today as I am speaking to the Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) at their annual fall meeting.  Originally created by Georgia’s textile industry, GAM has diversified its membership over the years and works on behalf of all Georgia manufacturers to enhance their competitiveness in a global marketplace.  After bringing them up to date on Washington issues we have a question and answer session with most of their questions focused on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and tariffs.  Afterwards, I head to Brunswick where I meet with Brad Lightfoot and his family and tour their business, Langford Auto Parts.  As an independent auto parts dealer and small business, Langford Auto Parts has benefited from the TCJA and, while competition is tough, their business continues to thrive thanks to a loyal following and an emphasis on customer service.  Next, I head to the Glynn County Old Historic Courthouse in Brunswick where I meet with Glynn County Commission Chairman Bill Brunson, Brunswick Mayor Cornell Harvey and staff to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent consent decree with a local company to encapsulate the contaminated soil at the Terry Creek site instead of removing it.  Glynn County and the City of Brunswick want the consent decree withdrawn or amended.  Afterwards, I head to Waycross in Ware County where I meet with a group of veterans at the home of my good friend Ware County Commissioner-elect Burton Carter. 

Rep. Carter meeting with a group of veterans

After bringing this group of our nation's heroes up to date on legislation that we have passed dealing with veterans issues, my staff and I work on individual issues with the group. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2018:   As I head to Nahunta in Brantley County this morning, I have a phone interview with the Jesup Press Sentinel to discuss a staffing issue at the Federal Corrections Institute in Jesup I have been working on.  Once in Brantley County, I am honored to deliver the keynote address at the ribbon cutting of FRAM renewable fuels at the Archer Forest Products Plant.  FRAM started in 2005 and operates 5 other wood pellet plants in Southeast Georgia as their production has continued to grow at a significant rate. 

Rep. Carter speaking at FRAM Renewable Fuels Ribbon Cutting

This innovative business model utilizes the waste from other industries with over 80% of materials coming from mill-made wood waste.  Afterwards, I head to the Jacksonville airport for my return flight to Washington.  Once I land in Washington, I have a phone interview with the Coastal Courier to discuss the opioid legislation that we will be voting on later this week and that includes three of my bills.  Once back at the Capitol, I head straight to the House Chamber where I manage the debate on two Senate bills dealing with gag clauses.  These two bills are very similar to a bill that I sponsored and that passed in the House but we decide to take up the Senate companion bills so that we can get them to the President’s desk to be signed as soon as possible.  Next, I head to my office where I have a live Skype interview with the Weather Channel to discuss the Hurricane Strong designation that Chatham County has recently been awarded before heading back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week. 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018:  This morning we have a member only meeting of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee where we hear from Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler as he brings us up to date on the affairs of the agency.  After this meeting, I have the opportunity to speak to him regarding Terry Creek in Glynn County and hand deliver a letter to him regarding this issue. We also discuss a marine engine regulation issue that is having an impact on several industries in the First District. Next, I head to our weekly GOP conference meeting before heading to my office to meet with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia.  Following our weekly staff briefing I meet with Philips Wellcentive and afterwards meet with representatives from the National Fisheries Institute.  Next, I have a meeting with my former colleague in the Georgia State Senate, Sen. Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge).  Sen. Burke, who is a physician by training, serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and he is in town to attend a Medicaid forum.  Later, I meet with Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic as he explains the function of the Federal Reserve and the resources available to our office. 

Rep. Carter meeting with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Raphael Bostic

Next, I have a phone interview with Kaiser Health News to discuss my gag clause legislation before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  Afterwards, I receive the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award for my strong support of small businesses and then head back to my office where I meet with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs and afterwards with the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

Rep. Carter receives the Guardian of Small Business Award from NFIB

 After a meeting with Pembroke Consulting to discuss the 340B drug program, I head to a member briefing with the Majority Leader on social media and internet censorship of conservatives.  Next, I head back to my office for a meeting with representatives from East Coast Greenway followed by a meeting with Rayonier officials before heading to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.  Afterwards, I head downtown where I speak to attendees at the MHA pharmacy annual conference.

Thursday, September 27, 2018:  Along with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), I am the special guest this morning at The Hill’s Evolution of Telehealth: Patient Awareness and Education Forum.  The forum is to discuss how innovations in health care like telehealth are changing the way patients receive health services across the country and I have the opportunity to discuss the Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act that I have introduced and that will be voted on tomorrow. 

Rep. Carter speaking at The Hill's Telehealth Event with Senator Cassidy

A link to the forum can be found here.  Afterwards, I head back to Capitol Hill where I have an opportunity to address members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce who are in town this week.  Next, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on “Better Data and Better Outcomes: Reducing Maternal Mortality.”  A link to my questions can be found here.  Later, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before receiving the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award by the American Association of Senior Citizens.  After meeting with Fulton County commissioners in my office I head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and remain in the Chamber afterwards to give a one minute tribute honoring World Pharmacist Day.  A link to my tribute can be found here.  Finally, I head to the office of my friend Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) to record a video with him regarding bipartisan legislation that he and I have introduced that is part of the opioid package that will be voted on tomorrow.  A link to the video can be found here.

Friday, September 28, 2018:  I‘m at the White House this morning as I assist Jacob and Shannon Patrick from Effingham County access a tour.  Once back at my office, I meet with my scheduler to review our plans for next month and then head to the House Chamber where I speak on HR 6, the opioid legislation that includes three of my bills.  Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber as we pass this momentous legislation in our first and only vote session of the day.  Before I head to the airport for my return flight home, I give a one minute tribute in the Chamber in recognition of September being National Recovery Month.  A link to my tribute can be found here. 


Votes in the House this week
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. 

 
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