Friends,
As many of you are aware, the negotiations with China have soured recently. Last weekend, we saw the trade talks get complicated when the Chinese began to waffle on previously-agreed-to terms, walking back their commitments on a new agreement. In response, the trade war escalated with President Donald Trump announcing today raising tariffs on China from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
I have been assured that this does not mean that discussions for a trade deal have broken down completely. To the contrary, negotiations are continuing, and the President is making his stance clear. I am hopeful that a great deal will be result of this back and forth with China.
We need a deal; our farmers cannot withstand another round of tariffs.
Talking Trade With Ambassador Doud
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to visit with U.S. Trade Ambassador, Gregg Doud, a native of the Big First from Mankato, Kansas and KSU graduate. As the Country’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Ambassador Doud is well positioned to help advance trade agreements and policies that directly benefit our farmers and ranchers back home in Kansas. We discussed the work that is being done by the administration to secure agreements on the pending trade deals with China, Japan, Mexico and Canada, as well as ways Members of Congress from ag districts can help educate our colleagues about the benefits of finding new export markets around the world. Gregg is a true patriot and I am proud to call him a friend. EMAW!
Kansas Aviation Manufacturers- Flying in!
I had a wonderful meeting with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) this week. In our meeting, we discussed the important role that the aviation industry plays and the ways it impacts our economy. It was great to meet with some of the manufacturers from Kansas.
We also had the opportunity to talk about the funding concerns for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA’s mission focuses on making sure that air travel is as safe and efficient as possible. America is a global leader in airline manufacturing, and we need to do what we can to keep it that way!
Ending Sticker Shock at the Doctor’s Office
The GOP Doctors Caucus held a special round-table discussion this week, inviting their medical colleagues from across the aisle to discuss the importance of addressing surprise medical bills. Surprise medical bills occur when you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider during an in-network hospital visit. This has rightly received a lot of attention and is a priority issue for many Americans facing sky-rocketing medical bills.
To address this, we went straight to the source at the state level to a see what can be done at the federal level. Some proposals brought to us included ‘baseball arbitration’ where the provider and insurer would submit a proposed amount to an independent arbitrator that would the set the final amount. This would eliminate patients from being stuck in the middle. We also discussed limiting patient cost-sharing to the amount they would owe to an in-network provider and setting a payment standard regarding what insurers owe providers in these situations.
This remains a complicated issue, and one that my colleagues and I will continue to work on.
Looking Out For Our Local Pharmacies
Yesterday, my colleagues and I joined together for a Special Order on the House floor in support of pharmacists and seniors across America. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have proposed a rule that would reform the use of pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees, or pharmacy price concessions, in the Medicare Part D program.
DIR fees by plan sponsors and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have increased by more than 45,000 percent over the past seven years. The increase of DIR fees over the last several years has raised out-of-pocket costs for our seniors and put our local pharmacies at financial risk, often operating in negative margins. Far too regularly PBMs collect DIR fees from pharmacies months and months after the claim. It’s completely unpredictable and unfair… while the benefit all goes to the pocket of the PBM. The proposed rule would end this issue by requiring that all DIR Fees are done at the point of sale.
Earlier this year I led a letter from proposing to have this rule finalized and implemented by 2020. There are 506 chain drug stores and 253 independent community pharmacies across Kansas and we need to make sure that they are being treated fairly!
Video of my speech can be found here!
Celebrating Kansas Small Businesses!
This week is national Small Business Week! We honor the millions of people across the country that take risks, invest in their communities and create jobs!
In Kansas, more than 80% of all businesses are considered to be small businesses, in industries ranging from manufacturing to retail, construction to health care. Each year, small businesses bring more than 15,000 new jobs to the state, according to the Small Business Administration, boosting both the rural and overall state economy.
Over the past two years I’ve had the privilege of touring many small businesses across my district, companies like Vortex in Salina, which designs and manufactures components for handling and processing dry bulk solids, such as cement, grain, or rubber. Sugar Creek Country Store in St. Mary’s is a family owned specialty grocery store and deli that was also awarded the 2018 Emerging Business of the Year by Kansas Small Business Development Centers. In Atwood, Carlson Choke Tubes has been manufacturing a variety of chokes for a wide range of shotgun models, and was recently named a top pick for turkey gear by Outdoor Life Magazine.
Of course, these are only a handful of the amazing small businesses found in the Big First, working to grow our local economies and bring jobs to rural America. I have loved getting to know many of the wonderful and creative entrepreneurs across the district, and it’s been a priority of mine to ensure that we continue to roll back regulatory burdens, increase access to capital, and provide training and support to small businesses so that these startups can continue to grow and contribute to the vibrant business landscape found in Kansas.
Kansas is home to hundreds of small, innovative agribusinesses, retailers, restaurants and more that play an integral part in keeping our Kansas economy strong.
US Army War College: “Congress Must Work Together”
A group from the United States Army War College (USAWC) stopped by my office this week. The USAWC was founded in 1901 and for well over 100 years now has educated and produced leaders invaluable to the United States military. They were on the Hill to discuss a wide range of issues important to our armed forces.
Diplomacy plays a huge role in our national defense and the team from USAWC stressed the importance of strengthening our alliances around the world. These partnerships allow the United States to promote our values and share information as we work with foreign leaders and military personal to keep our nation safe and prosperous.
We also touched on how important it is that Congress bridge the partisan divide. We must move past polarizing politics and get to working for the American people; this is particularly true when it comes to our national defense and our military. I am ready to work across the aisle and make sure that the brave souls responsible for protecting America have all of the support their government can offer. I want to thank those from the Army War College for coming to the office and assure you all that our troops have my full support.
Discussing the Road to Recovery For Substance Use Disorder
This week I met with the leadership team at Valley Hope, an organization that helps Kansans with substance use disorder (SUD). I had toured their facility in Atchison a few weeks ago and was so happy to have the opportunity to follow up with them to learn more about their what they do and the issues they face.
Last year, the Republican led 115th Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, together appropriating nearly $10 billion to help the help against substance use disorder and mental health issues – the largest investment to date. This funding goes to enhancing state grants, public prevention programs, and law enforcement activities related to SUD and mental health programs.
I was happy to share with them available funding opportunities through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that would help provide additional grant funding for medication assisted treatment. I look forward to working with Valley Hope or any organization in the district that seeks to help patients suffering from substance use disorder get on the road to recovery.
Railroads – Vital to Our Ag Producers
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) were in Washington for their “Railroad Day on Capitol Hill”.
I am fully aware of how important short line railroads are to the agricultural industries in Kansas. The farmers and ranchers of Kansas work incredibly hard, and it is vital that they have the infrastructure necessary to get those commodities, such as wheat, corn, sorghum, and beef to market. I appreciated these operators coming to D.C. to share their thoughts with me about the upcoming infrastructure package, as well as the importance of things like trade and workforce development.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.