Dear Friends,

This coming week, Congress is reconvening in Washington, D.C. There are many things that Congress must address before the end of the year, including funding the government and our armed forces. We also need strong bipartisan action to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We cannot allow our partisan differences to stand in the way of defending our nation or providing Americans with the support they need during this health crisis. Congress must ensure that we are effectively helping hardworking families across our nation.

As I head back to Washington, D.C., as your representative I will continue to fight for hardworking Arkansans and for commonsense solutions to the current health and economic crises.

honoring our heroes

My Op-Ed in the Saline Courier

On Veterans Day, my op-ed was featured in the Saline Courier regarding the duty that we have to our veterans.

I have three veterans on my staff who are determined to improve the lives of all veterans, retired or active duty, at home or overseas.

Over the past five years, we have recovered more than $23 million in earned benefits for central Arkansas’s veterans and closed more than 2,000 cases.

Veterans Day is an important opportunity to express our gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice made by our veterans and their families, but I encourage you to take a moment whenever you can to say thank you to our nation's heroes.

CARES ACT FUNDS AT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY

Providing for Arkansans in Need

Friday, at the invitation of the City of Little Rock Director Joan Adcock, I volunteered to distribute food boxes at the Southwest Community Center to provide food for families in need.

This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which is part of the $2.2 trillion CARES that I voted for.

I am proud to see federal dollars getting to where they are needed the most – right here on the ground in Arkansas and making a difference in the lives of many.

During these difficult months, many families, through no fault of their own, have needed assistance. Programs like this one help provide meals and keep food from being one more stress for Arkansans who may have lost their jobs or financial security due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am grateful for Director Adcock and the other volunteers who assisted in making this event possible.

Open Health Insurance enrollment

Both Federal and Private Insurance Enrollment Period

Right now, you can enroll in or change your 2021 Marketplace health insurance. The Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2020 - December 15, 2020. Plans purchased during this period will start on January 1, 2021.

If you do not complete your enrollment by Tuesday, December 15^th, you cannot get 2021 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

• Create an account HERE

• Update your application and compare plans for 2021 HERE

• Preview 2021 plans with estimates based on income HERE

The open enrollment period is also underway for Medicare and will continue until December 7, 2020. Medicare beneficiaries can review their 2021 Medicare and prescription drug plan options and change plans if they choose. Any changes will take effect on January 1, 2021.

To compare plans or select a new one, please visit HERE or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

For more information about your current plan’s costs, benefits, and rules for 2021, please visit HERE

If you are currently covered by Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D, please review the Annual Notice of Change and/or Evidence of Coverage forms that you have received from your plan.

It is important to note that open enrollment is also occurring for private and employer-based insurance and that there may be more changes than usual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am proud to have a dedicated team in Arkansas who can assist you with matters involving the federal government. If you have any questions about Social Security benefits, the Internal Revenue Service, or federal healthcare programs, please contact my office at (501) 324-5941.

Local Central Arkansas Businesses Making Efforts to Hire Veterans

Supporting our Heroes Once They Return Home

Earlier in the week, Arkansas’s Safe Foods Corporation, Windstream Holdings Inc., Bio-Tech Pharmacal, WPS Labor LLC, and MST Group LLC were all announced as winners of the HIRE Vets Medallion.

This initiative, established by the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act), is the only federal program that honors job creators for their commitment to recruiting, employing, and retaining our military veterans.

This program empowers veterans to begin the next stage of their lives and match with employers who appreciate their value. With millions of service members already returned to their communities, and 200,000 more transitioning to civilian life each year, it is crucial to support their search for employment. These men and women not only deserve our respect and gratitude for their service but also the opportunity to find new, fulfilling careers.

I thank all of our brave veterans in Arkansas and these companies for their dedication to strengthening our local communities. In the future, I hope this program will encourage even more businesses to hire our veterans.

As your Congressman, I will always fight for our past, present, and future service members.

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GUIDANCE

How to Access COVID-19 Testing in Arkansas

If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath OR if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, testing is available in Arkansas.

Call ahead to your health care provider or schedule a test at a local health unit, HERE.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, testing capacity for COVID-19 at commercial labs has increased significantly over the past week. This means a shorter turnaround time for results for you.

The health units, which are located in every county in the state, are now open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

In addition, local health units across Arkansas are open later on Tuesdays so that services including flu vaccinations and COVID-19 tests are available after normal business hours.

You can find a full list of local health unit COVID-19 testing locations HERE.

You also should know that test providers must publish the cash price of tests on their websites so that Arkansans are not faced with surprise charges related to COVID-19 testing.

It is my honor to represent you in Congress.

Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if I may be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill