U.S. Congressman French Hill

Congressional Art Competition

Rep. Hill announced that he will be continuing the Fan Favorite Award for the Congressional Art Competition. Each piece of art submitted to his office has been posted on his Facebook page. The picture that receives the most “likes” will be hung in his Little Rock District Office for the next year for the constituents of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District to enjoy. Voting ends Sunday at 11:59 pm.

Last night, Aetna—one of the Nation’s largest insurers—made the announcement it would be pulling out of the ACA exchanges in the state of Virginia. Some counties in Arkansas also now only have one insurance option and, in September 2016, we saw a 25 percent average increase in premiums on the exchanges. Having one option is not choice and is not suitable. This lack of insurers participating in the exchanges, causing massive price hikes for those in search of affordable insurance, has become a repeating theme over the course of the last few years.

The status quo is not working for Arkansas and not working for our country. The reform measure that we advanced today will lower the cost of care for individuals and families, provide coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, and shift power back to the states with added flexibility in determining what policies will have the most positive outcomes on their own citizens and populations. What works in Arkansas might not work in California and this bill reflects that important understanding.

This bill is just one important step in fixing our current health care system and still must undergo review and approval by the Senate before it may be signed into law. We also must continue to work with the administration and the Department of Health and Human Services to stabilize our health insurance markets and work with our colleagues in the House and Senate to enact additional legislative polices that will lower health care costs and increase competition and choices for all Americans.

Hill Announces Staff Changes

This week, Rep. Hill announced that Senior Counsel and Advisor Holli Heiles has left his office to join the House Financial Services Committee as Counsel for its Subcommittee on Capital Markets.

Heiles, a native of Star City, Arkansas, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and the University of Arkansas School of Law, has worked for Hill since he was sworn into office in January 2015. Prior to her time in Hill’s office, she served as Counsel and then Legislative Director for Congressman Tim Griffin. Prior to that, she served as an intern for Senator John Boozman while receiving a Master of Laws Degree in Taxation from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“Holli is a committed public servant who has worked tirelessly for the people of Arkansas in her various roles on the Hill. While her departure is a loss for our office, it is undoubtedly a gain for the American people,” said Hill. “She brings with her to the Committee a deep understanding of the issues, as well as the skill and temperament needed to develop good financial regulatory policy that will promote economic prosperity for all Americans. I appreciate her guidance over the past two years, and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new capacity.”

Rep. Hill also announced that hat Acting District Director and Senior District Representative Anushree Jumde has been promoted to District Director. Jumde is a Conway native who received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Public Service and Administration from the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service.