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                Recognizing Sovereignty for Puerto Rico

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the
Chicago Young Lords and their protests of 1969, the first marches for
Puerto Rican self-determination in Chicago's history.
  It is fitting that I honor a revolutionary organization fighting for
Puerto Rican liberation and the rights of all oppressed people on the
eve of our 250th anniversary of the United States of America. While
America will declare its commitment to no kings, we also must demand no
colonies.
  That is because 57 years after the summer of 1969, 57 years after
Jose Jimenez traveled to Puerto Rico to visit the shrine of its
nationalist leader, Don Pedro Albizu Campos, 57 years after the Chicago
Young Lords mobilized 10,000 people to march carrying Don Pedro Albizu
Campos signs from Lincoln Park to Humboldt Park in support of
independence in Chicago's Puerto Rican parade, Puerto Rico is still a
United States colony.
  We cannot celebrate 250 years of freedom while ruling a colony for
128 of them. We cannot celebrate our independence while denying the
Puerto Rican people the dignity of self-determination.
  That is why, here on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional
District, I publicly commend the Young Lords for teaching us that when
we support Puerto Rico's self-determination, we are supporting, in
fact, the right of sovereignty for people everywhere.

        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHIEF STEPHEN C. IGNACIO

  (Mr. Moylan of Guam was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to honor the
life and legacy of Chief Stephen C. Ignacio, a son of Guam who
dedicated his life to serving and protecting our island.
  His passing is not only a profound loss for the Guam Police
Department, but for the entire island of Guam.

There are few professions that demand more sacrifice than law
enforcement. Police officers willingly place themselves in harm's way
so others may live in safety. They miss holidays, birthdays, and
precious moments with their families because the call to serve never
stops. Chief Ignacio understood that sacrifice because he lived it
every day.
  Throughout his distinguished career with the Guam Police Department,
Chief Ignacio earned the respect of his fellow officers, government
leaders, and the community he faithfully served. Rising through the
ranks to become chief of police, he led with professionalism,
accountability, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the people of
Guam.
  Under his leadership, the department continued efforts to modernize
its operations, strengthen officer training, and build trust with the
community. Beyond policies and programs, those who knew Chief Ignacio
will remember the person behind the title, a leader who cared deeply
about his officers and understood that effective policing begins with
service, compassion, and integrity.
  The work of a police chief is often thankless. When communities are
safe, the long hours and difficult decisions often go unnoticed. Yet
when tragedy strikes, it is the chief who bears the weight of
responsibility. Chief Ignacio accepted that responsibility with
humility and unwavering dedication.
  His leadership extended beyond the walls of police headquarters. He
understood that public safety is built through partnerships with
families, schools, neighborhood organizations, and community leaders.
He believed that trust is earned, not demanded, and he worked to
strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the people they
serve.
  Today we remember more than a police chief. We remember a husband, a
father, a family member, a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. We
remember a public servant who devoted his life's work to making Guam a
safer place for future generations.
  To the men and women of the Guam Police Department: We grieve
alongside you. Your department has lost a leader, but the example he
set will continue to guide those who wear the badge.
  To Chief Ignacio's family: Please know that the people of Guam share
in your sorrow. We are grateful that you shared him with our island for
so many years. His commitment to public service came with countless
sacrifices, and we recognize that your family made those sacrifices
alongside him.
  As we reflect on his life, may we also remember the values he
embodied: duty before self, integrity in leadership, and service to
others.
  Chief Ignacio answered the call to serve his community for decades.
He did so with honor, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility.
  His watch has ended, but his legacy will live on in every officer he
mentored, every life he helped protect, and every member of our
community who is safer because of his service. I extend my deepest
condolences to Chief Ignacio's loved ones and the entire Guam Police
Department.
  To his family: No words can fully ease the pain of losing someone so
deeply loved, but I hope you find comfort in knowing that the countless
hours he devoted to protecting our community made a lasting difference,
and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire generations of
law enforcement officers who follow in his footsteps.
  May God grant his loved ones strength and comfort during this
difficult time. May we never forget Chief Stephen Ignacio's years of
faithful service, and may he rest in eternal peace.

                   MEDICARE GUARANTEE IS UNDER THREAT

  (Mr. Doggett of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, approaching the 61st anniversary of
Medicare, a true lifeline for retirees and individuals with
disabilities, I am filing the Saving MEDICARE Act to ensure a solvent,
better Medicare that reaches more Americans.
  Medicare represents a valued Federal guarantee that workers will age
with dignity and have access to quality, affordable healthcare. That
guarantee is now under threat from giant, private insurance companies
that profiteer off Medicare.
  This landmark proposal comprehensively addresses the many ways that
Medicare Advantage insurers are overpaid. My goal is to level the
playing field so that traditional Medicare is no longer at a
disadvantage to these private insurers.
  Twenty-three years ago, in this very room, Republicans arm-twisted
their own members and others all night long into the wee hours of the
morning to ensure approval of a terrible bill that has hurt Americans
and cost them hundreds of billions of dollars.
  Its landmark provision was one to limit Medicare from negotiating
prescription drug prices, ensuring that we continue to pay the most
outrageous pharmaceutical prices anywhere on Earth. At the same time,
they also included this new program with the great misnomer Medicare
Advantage, a private insurance alternative to Medicare.
  Though the supporters claimed that they would save us so much money,
it would cost less than traditional Medicare, MA private insurers have
never saved us a dime. Indeed, MA actually costs taxpayers tens of
billions of dollars more every year.
  This year, the nonpartisan, independent Medicare Payment Advisory
Commission, or MedPAC, estimates that MA costs taxpayers $2,660 more
for each person who goes into their plans rather than traditional
Medicare.
  Insurers claim that this great bonus that they are receiving provides
so many extra benefits to consumers, from pest control, to rent, to a
trip to get groceries, all these various things from one advertised
insurer, except a Joe Namath autographed football.
  Hidden in the fine print are caveats, and consumers often find they
aren't eligible for any of those advertised benefits, and skimpy
coverage and high cost-sharing when they need help the most. Difficulty
in accessing the doctor of their choice and getting treatment approved
create long delays, often outright denials, and many MA enrollees are
struggling to receive quality healthcare.
  In short, the only advantage in Medicare Advantage is to the monopoly
and oligopoly private insurers.
  The Saving MEDICARE Act will stop this waste, fraud, and abuse. It is
about delivering to Americans the care that they deserve at a
reasonable price. These funds will extend Medicare solvency and improve
Medicare with dental, vision, and hearing benefits--another piece of
legislation I have offered. We can achieve an out-of-pocket cap, lower
premiums, and more.
  We can achieve this by simply saying to MA that you should not cost
more than traditional Medicare.
  My bill reins in upcoding, a practice insurers use to make it appear
that patients are sicker than they really are. It will also stop plans
from profiteering when the Veterans Administration is providing most of
the healthcare, but they have recruited veterans to join their plans
for whom they provide little or no care.
  It addresses insurance practices of steering sicker patients into
traditional Medicare and trying to get healthier consumers who cost
less into their plans. It phases out the failed county quartile system
and the Quality Bonus Program which have only delivered more money to
private insurers.
  Finally, it enhances Federal oversight and involves State partners in
this also. Medicare Advantage is putting Medicare on long-term life
support. The Saving MEDICARE Act is a roadmap for accountable, and
reasonable spending and improving the healthcare for many Americans.
  In this totally ineffective and unsubstantial Congress, chances of
getting Republicans to stand up to any special interest are pretty
slim, but this bill is designed to encourage colleagues in the future
with specific guidelines on how to deal with Medicare and make it
better for more Americans, and to urge more of our colleagues to have
the courage to stand up to these insurance giants by preventing them
from using Medicare as a piggy bank.