July 2010 Archives

WASHINGTON – Working to safeguard Kentucky’s water supply, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) supported legislation yesterday which will protect the nation’s water supply and provide funding for critical infrastructure projects across the country.

“With towns and counties across Kentucky operating on tight budgets, we need to make sure the federal government fulfills its own responsibilities to help fund critical infrastructure projects,” Whitfield said. “The Assistance, Quality and Affordability Act will ensure the federal government shoulders its part of the burden for many water system repairs in Kentucky while making certain our water supply is safe.”

The House passed, and Whitfield supported, H.R. 5320, the Assistance, Quality and Affordability Act. The bill would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that public water supplies are protective of human health and reauthorizes the drinking water state revolving fund (SRF). The Congressman also supported the bill when it passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Whitfield serves.

The bill passed yesterday will ensure that infrastructure projects designed to improve the sustainability and long term viability of water systems get priority funding through the SFR. The legislation will also increase assistance for States, encourage good financial and environmental management of water systems, and help reduce lead in drinking water.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) raised serious concerns today about the impact recently introduced legislation to regulate the use of chemicals in manufacturing could have on the U.S. economy and job creation.

“With an estimated 96% of all manufactured goods involving one kind of chemical or another, this legislation would have a significant impact on our nation’s economy,” Whitfield said. “While we can all agree that we need to have safe chemicals in commerce in our country and in our homes, I fear this bill would compromise innovation and hurt our economy more than it will protect human health.”

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, on which Whitfield serves as Ranking Member, held a hearing today on H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010. The legislation would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which was enacted to regulate the introduction of new or already existing chemicals in the marketplace.

Several concerns have been raised about the impact this legislation would have on the chemical and manufacturing industries, as well as the economy as a whole. The bill would implement cumbersome assessment requirements for businesses on new products; expands the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval process which will require the hiring of hundreds of new toxicologists and risk assessors; and treats U.S. importers (for example, retailers) as manufacturers and makes them liable for products being brought into the U.S. for sale.

“If this legislation were to pass as written, instead of helping us create more jobs in America, it would help us lose more jobs in America,” Whitfield said.

Whitfield also noted his concerns about the impact this legislation would have on chemical distribution companies, including one located in Henderson, Kentucky. The Congressman said the bill is so broad that its ripple effects would be felt throughout the entire supply chain and that many of these companies do not have the resources or expertise to comply with the legislation.  

WASHINGTON – Today, a critical House Subcommittee swiftly approved legislation introduced and championed by U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) that is essential to combating the abuse of prescription drugs throughout Kentucky and the entire nation.

“Prescription drug abuse cannot be effectively addressed on a state-by-state basis; this is a national problem that must be addressed on a national scale,” Whitfield said. “When NASPER was first signed into law, only a handful of states had electronic prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) in place. I am pleased to report now there are over 40 states which have electronic PDMPs, with multiple other states in the process of enacting such programs. However, there is much more work to be done and that is why I am pleased we are here discussing the NASPER reauthorization.”

The House Subcommittee on Health, on which Whitfield serves, held a hearing and markup today on H.R. 5710, the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER)Reauthorization Act of 2010. The Subcommittee unanimously approved the legislation, which now awaits consideration in the full Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill was introduced by Whitfield, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, in early July. Companion legislation was also introduced in the Senate.

H.R. 5710 would extend NASPER for three years, make minor improvements to the program and provide $15 million in funding for FY 2011 and $10 million each year for FY 2012 and FY 2013. The NASPER program was authorized in 2005 to provide grants through the Department of Health and Human Services to establish or improve state-based PDMPs. While each state’s program is unique, in general they require that pharmacies, physicians or both submit information to a central office within the state on prescriptions dispensed for certain controlled substances. By creating these systems, states can ensure that health care providers, law enforcement officials and other regulatory bodies have access to accurate, timely prescription history information across the nation.

WASHINGTON – Working to ensure states have the right to enact laws to combat illegal immigration, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) joined several of his colleagues in the House of Representatives and Senate yesterday filing a court brief in support of Arizona’s new immigration law.

“Illegal immigration is one of the greatest challenges currently facing our nation,” Whitfield said. “When the federal government fails to enact and enforce policies which will help stop illegal immigrants from entering the country, states must have the ability to find their own solutions. It is time for the federal government to step up to the plate and start cracking down on illegal immigration by enforcing our own national policies and moving forward with reform.”

Whitfield, along with over 75 other Members of the House and five U.S. Senators, filed a court brief in opposition to the Obama Administration's legal challenge of Arizona's new immigration law. The brief serves as a formal record of the Members’ opposition to the lawsuit and will become part of the official case record. The brief cites numerous constitutional and legal problems with the Administrations challenge to the Arizona law and expresses their support for the states right to enforce its new policy.

In April, Arizona passed a law which would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and requires law enforcement officials to question anyone they suspect of being in the U.S. illegally. The law is set to take effect July 29, but U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has filed a lawsuit against the state of Arizona to block its implementation.

Whitfield has been a staunch supporter of immigration reform and has expressed support for Arizona’s right to pass its own laws in order to deal with their immigration crisis. The Congressman has said it is essential the U.S. not only enforce its current immigration laws, but update them to address the ever-changing threats to the nation’s borders, security and economy. The Congressman is a cosponsor of the SAVE Act, which is a common sense plan to drastically curb illegal immigration in America by emphasizing border security, employer verification and interior enforcement.

Cumberland County was formally settled in 1798 and named for the river which runs through it, the Cumberland River. In 1829, an early settler struck oil on Renox Creek and it is generally believed to be the first gusher hit in the United States. The oil was sold as medicine in the U.S. and England under the trade name "American Oil."

During the Civil War, Cumberland County was a major natural barrier between opposing forces and so there was a great deal of fighting in the area. President Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, served two terms as constable of Cumberland County from 1802 to 1804. Additionally, two former governors of Kentucky, Thomas E. Bramlett and Preston H. Leslie, were both born in Cumberland County.

Today, Cumberland County is known throughout the Commonwealth and the entire region for its beautiful landscapes, fishing, hiking and boating activities. Every fall, Cumberland County also hosts the Cumberland River Bluegrass Festival.

Dear Editor,

The statistics are startling. With more than 6 million Americans misusing prescription medication on a regular basis, the abuse of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. More than 52 million Americans have reported abusing prescription drugs at some point in their lives. That’s 20.8% of the population aged 12 or older. And tens of thousands of lives are claimed every year as a result of this epidemic.

Nowhere in the nation is the battle against prescription drug abuse more important than Kentucky, which has the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in prescription drug use for non-medical purposes. While Kentucky has in place an electronic monitoring system which tracks prescriptions dispensed within the Commonwealth, there are still several states which do not. In these states individuals could visit several different doctors and receive multiple prescriptions for medication, a practice known as “doctor shopping.” As a result, many Kentuckians looking to obtain prescription drugs for illegal sale and distribution have been traveling across state lines and bringing these medications back into the Commonwealth.

Four years ago, I authored the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Drug Reporting Act (NASPER). NASPER establishes a federal grant program to assist states in the creation, improvement or expansion of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PMDP’s) and to foster the sharing of prescription data electronically among states. NASPER will help states establish a uniform electronic format for the reporting and sharing of prescription data as well as uniform criteria for access to the data by healthcare professionals and law enforcement officials.

This legislation was signed into law in August of 2005 and since then has received $4 million in funding to begin implementation. The first grants were awarded through NASPER beginning in 2009 and currently over 40 states are operating PDMPs or have enacted legislation to establish them. While each state’s program is unique, in general they require that pharmacies, physicians or both submit information to a central office within the state on prescriptions dispensed for certain controlled substances. By creating these systems, states can ensure that health care providers, law enforcement officials and other regulatory bodies have access to accurate, timely prescription history information across the nation.

Last week I was proud to join forces with Senators Dick Durbin, Jeff Sessions, Chris Dodd and Sherrod Brown along with Representatives Frank Pallone, Bart Stupak and John Shimkus to introduce legislation in our respective chambers to reauthorize NASPER. The legislation would extend NASPER for five years, make improvements to the program and provide $15 million in funding for 2011 and $10 million each year after that through 2015.

With prescription drug abuse on the rise, it is more important than ever that we reauthorize this important weapon in the fight against prescription drug abuse. NASPER is essential to identifying patients at risk for addiction, preventing patients from “doctor shopping,” particularly across state lines and assisting with investigations of drug diversion and errant prescribing practices by pharmacists or medical providers. During the weeks and months to follow, I will continue working with colleagues in the House and the Senate to ensure NASPER receives funding to thwart drug abuse and stop the flow of prescription drugs across the country. 

Sincerely,

U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) along with U.S. Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bart Stupak (D-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL) joined forces to introduce legislation in their respective chambers to reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Drug Reporting Act (NASPER), a program critical to combating the abuse of prescription drugs.

“Each year more than 20,000 people in the United States die from prescription drug overdose and that number is on the rise,” said Durbin. “Reauthorizing the NASPER Act will keep a system in place that provides health care providers, law enforcement officials and other regulatory agencies with access to accurate, timely prescription history information. This information is essential for stopping the abuse, misuse, and overdose of prescription drugs.”

“During my time as a federal prosecutor, I came to understand how large the problem of prescription drug abuse is in this country, and it continues to increase,” said Sessions. “The NASPER program enables officials to monitor prescriptions for controlled substances in order to prevent illegal or inappropriate access and intervene in addictions sooner. This program has proved effective, and approval of legislation to reauthorize it for another five years is an important step toward reducing prescription drug abuse. I am pleased to work with Senator Durbin and our House colleagues to reauthorize this important program.”

“Prescription drug monitoring programs are essential to combating drug abuse around the country,” said Dodd. “By tracking prescriptions in each state, we will be better able to crack down on abuse and prevent ‘doctor shopping.’ We must pass NASPER so that these programs can continue to operate and reduce the illegal use of controlled substances.”

“There are more drug-related deaths in Ohio than there are auto-accident fatalities,” Brown said. “This terrifying statistic underscores the need for a well-functioning controlled substance monitoring system in Ohio and across the country. NASPER provides doctors with a critical tool to help prevent prescription drug abuse, and I strongly support its reauthorization.”

“The abuse of prescription drugs is a problem that continues to plague millions of Americans and their families every day,” Whitfield said. “Worse still, this epidemic is on the rise. NASPER is a powerful weapon in the fight against prescription drug abuse that will allow physicians to detect abuse and prevent the practice of doctor shopping across state lines.”

“NASPER has changed the way we prevent and fight prescription drug addiction in this country, since it became law in 2005,” said Pallone. “Doctors and law enforcement agencies have the necessary tools to keep up with the tactics of prescription drug abusers. As a public health issue, it’s important that this program remain strong and fully funded as it is in this reauthorization.”

“Providing our physicians, pharmacists, public health officials, and law enforcement officials with the resources they need to stop drug addition before it begins is a critical part of the fight to stop the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse,” Stupak said. “Prescription drug addictions destroy lives and ignore traditional boundaries between law enforcement, the medical field and public health. NASPER provides the tools necessary to transcend these boundaries and mount a comprehensive effort to put an end to doctor shopping by patients and drug dealers while providing safeguards against prescribing patients dangerous combinations of prescription drugs.”

“As the incidents of prescription drug abuse increase and those seeking treatment become younger, we need to make sure that these most addictive and most potent drugs are carefully tracked,” Shimkus said. “NASPER needs to be extended so that the states may continue to implement and improve their tracking systems.”

The legislation, introduced in the Senate today and the House at the end of June, would extend NASPER for five years and provide $15 million in funding for FY 2011 and $10 million each year for FY 2012-2015. The legislation also makes minor changes to the program such as allowing grants to be used to plan or maintain a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP); requiring states to take steps to educate medical providers about the benefits of the systems; and requiring states to report comprehensive data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allow for evaluation of the success of the program.

The NASPER program was authorized in 2005 to provide grants through the Department of Health and Human Services to establish or improve state-based PDMPs. The first grants were awarded through NASPER beginning in 2009 and currently over 40 states are operating PDMPs or have enacted legislation to establish them.

While each state’s program is unique, in general they require that pharmacies, physicians or both submit information to a central office within the state on prescriptions dispensed for certain controlled substances. By creating these systems, states can ensure that health care providers, law enforcement officials and other regulatory bodies have access to accurate, timely prescription history information across the nation. The data in these systems can assist in the early identification of patients at risk for addiction, prevent patients from “doctor shopping,” particularly across state lines, and assist with investigations of drug diversion and errant prescribing practices by pharmacists or medical providers. 

WASHINGTON — On the heels of recent reports that potentially hazardous former FEMA trailers are being used to house oil spill cleanup workers in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) is calling on President Barack Obama to launch an immediate investigation and, if necessary, take prompt enforcement action to protect cleanup workers and others who reside in these trailers.

“It is extremely troubling to learn that the men and women charged with cleaning up one of the worst environmental disasters in recent U.S. history could be subjected to potentially unsafe and hazardous living conditions while working in the Gulf,” Whitfield said. “The Obama Administration has an obligation to follow through on their promise to ensure these trailers are not used for housing and to protect those in the Gulf from dangerous exposures while they sleep.” 

Whitfield, the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection (CTCP), sent a letter today to President Obama regarding the use of FEMA trailers, auctioned off by the Administration, to house workers involved in the cleanup of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of these trailers, which were used to house victims of Hurricane Katrina, have been suspected to emit dangerous levels of formaldehyde that pose a health risk to people who live in them. The New York Times reported this week that workers helping to clean up the oil spill reside in these trailers.

In April, the CTCP Subcommittee held hearings on the Administration auctioning of FEMA trailers that may emit excessive levels of formaldehyde. Witnesses from FEMA and the GSA testified that the Administration would require labeling and certification in connection with the sale and resale of the trailers to protect the public.  Specifically, the agencies testified that the administration would place a sticker on the trailers disclosing the potential formaldehyde emissions; that purchasers should not use the trailers for housing; and that the administration would require purchasers to sign a certification that they understand the disclosures and that they would pass the disclosures on to purchasers in any subsequent sales. However, the New York Times ran a story this week stating that in many instances purchasers have not complied with the labeling and certification requirements in selling FEMA trailers used to house Gulf oil spill cleanup workers.

WASHINGTON — On the heels of the Fourth of July, a time when many Kentuckians will gather at state parks to celebrate the rich history of our nation, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) introduced a Resolution in the House of Representatives today paying tribute to the life of John James Audubon and the state park and museum named in his honor.

“John James Audubon not only made significant contributions to Henderson County and the greater Kentucky community, but stands today as one of the most renowned wildlife artists of all time,” Whitfield said. “Today his legacy lives on through the John James Audubon State Park & Museum. This weekend as Kentuckians gather to mark the Fourth of July, I encourage everyone to celebrate the great natural beauty and wildlife we are so privileged to have right in our own backyard.”

Whitfield, along with the entire Kentucky Congressional Delegation in the House, introduced a Resolution, Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of John James Audubon’s Contributions to Henderson, Kentucky. The Resolution honors Audubon for his life’s contribution to nature and art in Henderson over the past 200 years and the continued showcase of his life, nature and art at the John James Audubon State Park and Museum.

“A leading artist of his time, John James Audubon is recognized internationally for his timeless avian artistry,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “While living in Henderson, KY, he became one of America’s most accomplished artists. We are proud of his many contributions not only to our state, but the nation. For the enjoyment of all Kentuckians, many of his art pieces are proudly on display at the John James Audubon State Park and Jane and I encourage all Kentuckians to visit this special place at sometime soon.”

Audubon arrived in Henderson in 1810 with his wife and infant son. In 1816 he built a steam-powered saw-and-grist-mill on the banks of the Ohio River. Audubon loved the frontier spirit in Henderson, and throughout his years there, he roamed the woods, observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in the area. Audubon would later go on to publish his ornithological works in the masterpiece, “The Birds of America.” Henderson’s position on the Mississippi Flyway migration route offers some of the most spectacular bird watching opportunities in the country, which many visitors to the area continue to enjoy today. 

To celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Audubon arriving in Henderson County the Friends of Audubon, Ohio Valley Art League and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources have planned a number of events. A full list of these events can be found at www.audubon2010.com.

WASHINGTON — Continuing his efforts to combat diabetes throughout the Commonwealth and across the country, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield spoke today at a congressional hearing on the importance of preventing, treating and curing diabetes, a disease which affects an estimated 24 million Americans.

“Diabetes continues to plague millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians,” Whitfield said. “Finding a cure will help those suffering from the disease live long and healthy lives and go a long way in bringing down healthcare costs. I urge Congress to provide funding for diabetes research so that we may finally find a cure for this disease.”

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, on which Whitfield serves, held a hearing today entitled, “The Battle Against Diabetes: Progress Made, Challenges Unmet.” Whitfield requested the hearing to increase awareness about the disease and explore ways to improve and expand research. The Congressman also noted the large financial impact diabetes has on the nation’s healthcare system and the cost-savings which would result from preventing the onset of the disease.

Diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans with approximately 57 million more being afflicted with pre-diabetes, which is also called early type 2 diabetes. The total estimated cost of diabetes to the U.S. in 2007 was $174 billion, including $116 billion in excess medical expenditures and $58 billion in reduced national productivity. Diabetes is particularly prevalent in Kentucky, which ranks in the top 5 annually in the U.S. in diabetes cases. The total cost of diabetes in the First Congressional District alone is close to $365 million annually.

Congressman Whitfield has been a longtime advocate for diabetes patients in Congress. He has been a Member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, which aims to educate the public about diabetes and supports legislative activities that would improve diabetes research, education and treatment, for several years. Congressman Whitfield also supported legislation, which became law in 2002, which provided $1.5 billion for the Special Diabetes Program, a program that funds juvenile diabetes research. In addition, last December he helped usher a Resolution through the House which calls for Congress to increase research funding for Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) opposed sweeping financial reform legislation today which would impose job killing regulations, make the U.S. economy less competitive and allow for the continuation of taxpayer funded bailouts.

“While we are all committed to increasing transparency on Wall Street and preventing another financial meltdown, the last thing we should be doing in the midst of an economic recession is furthering government interference in the free market,” Whitfield said. “This bill continues and, in some cases, worsens the failed policies of the past which helped send our economy into a tailspin and left taxpayers footing the bill for the bad decisions of Wall Street. With so many Kentuckians still struggling to find jobs and make ends meet, we need to be doing everything we can to spur economic growth, not hinder it.”

The House passed, and Whitfield opposed, the conference report for H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. The House passed their version of this legislation in December, which Whitfield opposed, and the Senate passed a similar version in May. The legislation passed today is the reconciled version of the House and Senate bills and now awaits final consideration in the Senate.

The measure passed today would make taxpayer funded bailouts permanent and provide the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with the power to determine how and when creditors of a failed firm would be paid. The bill significantly expands the role of the federal government in the marketplace through the creation of several new government agencies and offices. Furthermore, the legislation would make the policies used to bail out AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, GM, Chrysler and other failing firms permanent by extending the “too big to fail” policy. Worse still, accounting gimmicks and funding from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) would be used to pay for the $19 billion measure. 

In addition, the legislation includes several new and overreaching regulations which will slow economic growth and hurt job creation. Some economists have estimated that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one of the new agencies established in the bill, alone would reduce the number of new jobs created by 4.3%. The measure also fails to address one of the main causes of the financial collapse, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The bill only includes one provision on the subject of these Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) and it is a study.

Whitfield opposed the $700 billion bailout of the financial industry which was passed by Congress in the fall of 2008, citing concerns over government involvement in the private sector and the cost and effectiveness of the legislation. The bill established TARP to bail out struggling financial institutions.