U.S. service-members: Our nation's #1 defense asset

Last week I traveled to military facilities in several areas of the United States to get briefings on military, intelligence, and missile-defense issues. I spoke to officers, junior enlisted service-members, and customs and border protection officials to get a comprehensive review of the country’s defense posture. I also had the opportunity to pay tribute to a military intelligence professional—who was a family friend—who lost his life in service of this nation. I am constantly amazed at the selfless dedication of American service-members and law enforcement officials—please remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Just what the doctor ordered on healthcare

Yesterday the House of Representatives took a big step toward abolishing the failing Obamacare system and replacing it with something much better, both for Central Valley residents and for Americans across the nation.

I have worked for years on these sorts of free-market healthcare reforms, and they’re needed now more than ever—Obamacare is collapsing before our eyes as premiums skyrocket and insurers flee the Obamacare exchanges in droves.

The American Health Care Act (AHCA) will clear away the thicket of mandates, penalties, taxes, and regulations that bog down Obamacare, fundamentally changing the way the healthcare system works. It will create an entirely new system in which all Americans who want coverage will have it, including those with pre-existing conditions. By providing credits for families in need, the bill creates a new system centered on you—and your ability to choose your own doctors and healthcare plan—instead of the centrally-planned Obamacare program that is run out of Washington.

I’ve held years-long discussions with local healthcare providers about ways to move large numbers of Medicaid participants out of the program and into better, private coverage plans. I’m happy to say this bill will accomplish that goal. As Medicaid participants already know, simply having a Medicaid card does not mean you actually have access to care. Burdened by its acceptance of far more participants than the program was designed to handle, Medicaid is so broken that in some parts of the Valley participants have to resort to hospital emergency rooms for basic care or have to travel to the Bay area or Los Angeles to see a specialist. The AHCA, however, will use credits of $2,000 - $14,000 to transition people into private coverage. Unfortunately the bill will not move every Medicaid participant into a private program, but this is a great start to allowing more Valley residents to choose their own healthcare.   

I have fought hard in Congress for reforms that would improve care for Medicaid participants who are now treated as second-class citizens in healthcare. It’s gratifying to see the House pass a bill that will begin turning that wish into a reality.