The beginning of the 115th Congress marks an exciting time for our country. On the very first day of the Congress, the first bill we passed was one that would keep admonishments given to poorly performing Department of Veterans Affairs employees (VA) employees on those individuals’ records for the duration of their time at VA. Over the past two years, Congress has demonstrated a commitment to reforming VA so that it would perform in a way that meets the needs of the veteran, and I am proud that we will be continuing that work as we transition to a new administration

On the second day of the new Congress, the Republican Study Committee (RSC), of which I am a member, introduced our plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Since its implementation into law, the so-called Affordable Care Act (ACA) has created giant increases in premiums and deductibles, forced insurers to withdraw from the markets, and limited choice and access to healthcare for hardworking American families.

When the current administration was selling the ACA to the American people, they promised a stark decrease in the cost of premiums per family. The number they touted was $2,500 per year, but that never happened. What actually did happen was the nearly 155 million Americans who receive employer-sponsored health care coverage saw their premiums increase by $4,300 annually.

The initial prognosis for the ACA may have been "bad," but now it has evolved from bad to worse. The current administration announced in October that there would be a sharp premium increase for coverage on the exchanges, nearly four times larger than had been expected.

While those who support the ACA try their hardest to salvage the failed law, RSC wants to replace it with free-market ideas that will increase and expand access to insurance, spur competition, and encourage innovation, representing an important step forward toward real, patient-centered health care reforms that Americans need and deserve.

Between solutions outlined in our Better Way agenda, including Medicare and Medicaid reforms, and the RSC proposal, House Republicans are working to fix one of the greatest blunders of the Obama Administration—its failed healthcare policy.

The vice president-elect came to the Capitol last week to outline the president-elect’s commitment to repealing and replacing the ACA. They want to work with Congress to create a plan that will actually accomplish what the previous administration promised, such as lower premiums and deductibles and increased access to care. I will continue to keep you updated on the work we are doing to create a healthcare law that finally meets your needs.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill

Last week, Rep. Hill announced he is hosting a 2017 Winter Facebook Cover Photo Contest. Those interested in participating who have not already submitted their best, high-quality photos taken in Arkansas that depict the Natural State’s beauty in the wintertime, or photos that have a wintry theme, can still do so. 

The deadline is January 15, 2017.

To participate in the contest, please send your winter-themed photo, your name, and where the photo was taken to French.Hill@mail.house.gov by that date. A selection of the submitted photos will be displayed on his Facebook page beginning on January 16, 2017.

To vote, “like” Rep. Hill's Facebook page and then "like" your favorite picture(s). The winning photo will be announced on January 31, 2017.

“Fortunately, the administration that has actively imposed billions in unnecessary regulatory costs on hardworking Americans is now taking its final breaths. Today, we voted on an important measure to prevent similar actions in the future, and with an estimated $6 billion cost for the U.S. economy, this last-ditch rulemaking effort must be opposed, reviewed, and rescinded by the new administration to ensure that we put an end to these types of last ditch efforts by a departing administration.”

“Over the past two years, Congressman Hill has proven to be a tremendously valuable asset to the Committee, and I am looking forward to working alongside him in his new capacity as Committee Whip,” said Chairman Hensarling. “Congressman Hill will play a vital role in helping the Committee craft proposals to increase access to capital, grow the American economy and help create jobs.”

For the two decades prior to serving in the House of Representatives, Rep. Hill was actively engaged in the Arkansas business community as a commercial banker and investment manager. He was founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Delta Trust & Banking Corp., which was headquartered in Little Rock.

In the 114th Congress, Congressman Hill served on two subcommittees of the House Committee on Financial Services: the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Congressman Hill was also a member of the Committee’s Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing. After being selected as Whip, Rep. Hill stated:

“In the coming Congress, we have an opportunity to build off the good work the Committee has done under its first four years of Chairman Hensarling’s leadership. I am excited to be able to continue to use my three decades of work in banking, finance, and public policy to help the Committee reverse the negative effects of Dodd-Frank and give American families and businesses of all sizes the opportunity to once again flourish.”