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Dear Friends,
Last week, my staff in Arkansas and Washington answered over 1,000 letters and over 500 calls from constituents wanting to voice their opinions on the American Health Care Act. I want to thank my staff for their work in making sure constituents voices are heard and you for reaching out with your thoughts. Listening to the American people is one of the most important aspects of representative government. I greatly value the feedback and ideas from our citizens across the seven counties of the Second Congressional District.
Last Friday's vote on health care that never happened was an unfortunate setback for those who want to repeal the failed Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replace it with legislation and regulatory changes that lower cost, expand choice, and put Americans, not the federal government, in control of their health care.
The fact remains that the ACA is failing, getting worse, driving up the cost of health care, and eliminating important health care coverage options for many hardworking Americans and families. The ACA has caused insurance markets to start to collapse, premiums and deductibles to soar, and patient choices to dwindle. In September 2016, we saw a 25 percent average increase in premiums on exchanges, and today, nearly one-third of U.S. counties have only one insurer offering exchange plans.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan worked hard with his colleagues in Congress to craft a bill that would have repealed the most damaging aspects of the ACA, the individual and employer mandates. Importantly, the proposal also reforms Medicaid programs under the structure of a block grant, ensuring our most vulnerable in Arkansas and those for whom Medicaid is intended (children, individuals with disabilities, and lower-income mothers) could still get the care they need. It also would have fulfilled Governor Asa Hutchinson’s request of moving Essential Health Benefits back to the control of the states. All of this while covering citizens with pre-existing conditions and allowing young people to remain under their family's coverage until age 26.
I remain committed to working with my colleagues to address the failures of our current health care system and find the fixes needed to lower costs and provide affordable care for all Americans. Big ideas require a lot of hard work. One of my congressional colleagues, Congressman Brian Mast of Florida, described the road ahead best when he told the Republican Conference not to be discouraged by any hiccups along the way, saying "I've just never been in a battle that we only had to fire one shot. I've never been in a battle with a perfect plan. And even being able to say that -- we won every single one of them, because of that unanimity, our ability to win together as a unit."
Brian Mast is an Army veteran who lost both of his legs in Afghanistan. He is an American hero, and he is the type of leader this country needs. I know that with those like Congressman Mast and Speaker Ryan leading our party in Congress, we have the will and determination to fulfill our promises to the American people.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
Rep. Hill attending the end of the Arkansas Run for the Fallen at the State Capitol in Little Rock. |
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Rep. Hill and Rep. Bruce Westerman talking to constituents about the American Health Care Act last week. |
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| Rep. Hill meeting with former Student Body President at Hendrix College, Peter Butler, to discuss the American Health Care Act. |
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News for the Week
A Pathway to Work for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries
Daily Signal
3/27/2017
State bankers visit D.C., walk with Hill
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
3/26/2017
Arkansans run for fallen service members
KATV
3/26/2017
Trump provides pipeline consent
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
3/25/2017
Press Releases
97-Year Old Arkansas Veteran to Receive Norwegian Defense Medal at State Capitol
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Friday, March 31, 2017, in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the State Capitol, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) —on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington—will award 97-year old World War II veteran Jesse Whitley of Mabelvale, Arkansas with both the Norwegian Defense and the Norwegian Commemorative Medals for his service in Norway during 1945.
Mr. Whitley was part of the 474th Infantry that took part in the liberation of Norway. The Defense Medal is given to those with either military or civilian service that participated in the fight against the German Invasion and occupation of Norway between 1940 and 1945. The Commemorative Medal is given by the Norwegian Government to military and civilian personnel thanking them for contributions to Norway during World War II. The medal reads “NORGE TAKKER DEG FOR INNSATSEN (Thank you for your service).
Hill Gives Thumbs Up To Keystone XL Approval
WASHINGTON – Today, following the State Department’s decision to approve Keystone XL, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) stated:
“Keystone XL is a pro-growth, private sector investment into energy infrastructure that has already supported over 600 jobs in central Arkansas and would create thousands of ready-to-launch private sector American jobs, while having a minimal impact on the environment. I appreciate the president and the new administration beginning to fulfill their promise of pro-growth policies that will help lead to North American energy independence.”
Additional Information
Washington Post: State Department releases Keystone XL final environmental impact statement
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