Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - In a full Committee markup today, the House Committee on Ways and Means advanced legislation sponsored by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) to protect victims of identity fraud and invest in small business health care. Rep. Wenstrup released the following statement after his two bills, the Social Security Child Protection Act and the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act, were reported out of the Full Committee.

"The importance of H.R. 3667, the Social Security Child Protection Act, cannot be overstated: Children deserve the opportunity to open bank accounts, get a first job, purchase a car and start a line of credit, without worrying about the hardships they may have to face because at some point in the past their Social Security card was stolen or lost in the mail. H.R. 3800, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act would help employers provide expanded 'first dollar coverage' and allow employers the option to cover 14 chronic care management medical services including beta-blockers, glucometers, and cholesterol-lowering medications," said Rep. Wenstrup. "I am pleased that my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, on both sides of the aisle, saw the importance and value in this legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with members in the full chamber. My hope is that these common-sense, bipartisan bills will make it to the President's desk and be signed into law."

Chairman Smith:

H.R. 3667, the Social Security Child Protection Act

“Young children are particularly vulnerable to Social Security number theft because criminals know their credit isn’t closely monitored. The Social Security Administration should do everything in its power to protect American children when their Social Security numbers have been compromised. I commend Representatives Wenstrup and Blumenauer for their work on this bipartisan piece of legislation, the Social Security Child Protection Act, that will give families the tools they need to replace their child’s Social Security number and remove barriers to their future success. I urge my colleagues to support this measure to protect children before criminals have the chance to do harm.”

H.R. 3800, Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act

“Our health care system should allow Americans struggling with chronic disease management access to preventative care without unnecessary stress about the cost. Representative Wenstrup’s legislation, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act, gives these patients peace of mind knowing they can access low-cost care and achieve better health outcomes before they hit their plan deductible. This is a solution that will improve the lives of the millions of Americans suffering from a chronic disease.” 

Background:

H.R. 3667 - The Social Security Child Protection Act protects minors from Social Security fraud and would direct the Social Security Administration to issue a new Social Security number to a child under the age of 14 if that child's Social Security card was lost or stolen while being sent.

H.R. 3800 - The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act expands choice, increases flexibility and reduces burdens in providing health care for employees. In particular, it will codify chronic disease management flexibilities to encourage employers to offer high-value health care services.

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