High Country Times

Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) delivered a statement at the Committee's markup of several bipartisan bills aimed at improving health, safety, and well-being in America. The bills under consideration include H.R. 5646, Stop Campus Hazing Act; H.R. 7233, Jenna Quinn Law of 2024; H.R. 736, PROTECT Kids Act; H.J. Res. 181, Congressional Review Act resolution to stop the Biden-Harris rule limiting access to Association Health Plans (AHPs); H.R. 3120, Healthy Competition for Better Care Act; and H.R. 9457, Transparent Telehealth Bills Act of 2024.

"Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce is taking action on several bipartisan bills that will improve the health, safety, and well-being of the American people," Foxx stated.

The session began with a focus on student and child safety legislation. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) introduced H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act to address hazing issues that jeopardize student lives and educational environments.

Foxx highlighted H.R. 7233, Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX). This bill aims to provide grants for child sexual abuse prevention programs in schools.

"This bill allows for grants for child sexual abuse prevention programs in schools," said Foxx.

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced H.R. 736, the PROTECT Kids Act which requires parental consent before schools make changes to a minor child's name or pronouns.

"It’s a simple but critical way to ensure parents are involved in decisions that impact their children’s lives," noted Foxx.

The Committee also discussed three bills focused on reducing healthcare costs for working Americans including H.J. Res. 181 by Rep. Walberg which opposes a Biden-Harris administration rule restricting AHPs formation.

"H.J. Res. 181 is a great step in that direction," said Foxx regarding affordable health insurance options provided by AHPs.

H.R. 3120 introduced by Rep Michelle Steel (R-CA), aims at promoting competition within the healthcare system by targeting anticompetitive contract terms.

"This bill encourages a more open market where employers have better leverage to lower costs," explained Foxx.

Lastly, Rep Aaron Bean's (R-FL) bill H.R. 9457 seeks to ban unnecessary hospital facility fees for telehealth services accessed from home as an effort to reduce overall healthcare expenses.

"The last bill today aimed at tackling health care costs is H.R. 9457," said Foxx about banning these fees which are opposed by many Americans.

In conclusion, Foxx emphasized the importance of advancing these pieces of legislation for constituents' well-being and governmental accountability.

"With that, let’s move these bills forward with the urgency they are due and that the American people expect from their elected representatives."

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