Treating and Reducing Obesity

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, as a physician, I believe that we must support and utilize available medical breakthroughs. That is why I am proud to co-lead the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, legislation that would provide a direct line to chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients struggling with obesity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is prevalent in over 40 percent of adults aged 60 and older. The National Institutes of Health attributes obesity to an increased risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and certain cancers.

This bill would assist those struggling to lose weight and would help decrease comorbidities associated with obesity. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill. Accelerating Access to Care for Children

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act.

Iowa's First District is blessed to have the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, and this bill would allow out-of-State children to access our top-tier clinical trials, specialists, and care teams.

Currently, children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program must have an out-of-State care team be screened by their home State's Medicaid program, even though the providers have already been screened and enrolled in their own State program. This causes delays and can cause a child's condition to worsen, putting their lives at risk.

This legislation would streamline the process by allowing providers who treat children and are in good standing to enroll in multiple State Medicaid programs for a period of 5 years.

As a mother, physician, former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, and a Congresswoman, I understand the duty to care for our children's health, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Remembering Burlington Police Department K9 Officer Paco

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Burlington Police Department's K9 Paco.

K9 Paco served with the Burlington Police Department for nearly 2 months and was in the process of being trained for assignment as our second K9 unit with K9 Handler Officer Gallegos.

K9s are specifically trained to help members of our law enforcement, and their keen sense of tracking and detection are invaluable for officers.

This is a sad day for the Burlington Police Department, and I will continue to keep the Burlington Police Department and Paco in my prayers.

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