FY2016 CHC Appropriations Amendments

FY2016 CHC Appropriations Amendments

1. Rep. Ruben Gallego: Amendments to Help Enable DREAMers to Serve in Uniform and to Combat Tricare Fraud (House Armed Services Committee)

2. Rep. Raul Ruiz: Amendment to Support Funding to Address the Devastating Drought Across the West (Energy and Water)

1. Rep. Gallego's Amendment

The "Enable DREAMers to Serve in Uniform" amendment urges the Secretary of Defense to consider allowing DACA-eligible individuals to serve in the military. DACA already grants work permits but doesn't allow DREAMers to join our Armed Forces.

The amendment to combat Tricare fraud would require the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to report to Congress on trends in abusive marketing by compounding pharmacies targeting Tricare beneficiaries and its efforts to combat these practices. The amendment will help protect beneficiaries from exploitative marketing and help protect Tricare from waste, fraud and abuse.

2. Rep. Ruiz's Amendment

Dr. Ruiz offered this amendment to Energy and Water, which would have transferred some funding from fossil fuel research to clean water projects in the Bureau of Reclamations. Hispanic populations in the California region are disproportionately affected by water sanitation and supply issues. Rural communities of color tend to rely more on well water, which is more susceptible to contamination. Hispanic residents are also more likely to suffer "valley fever," which is caused by mold in the soil that becomes airborne in dry climates.