Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Happy Holidays to you and your family


I hope this newsletter finds you well and that you and your family are enjoying the holidays. 

As we continue throughout the holiday season, it is important that we give thanks and appreciation for our many blessings, as there are still so many Americans facing hardships each day. Many are beginning to feel the stress of losing their health insurance, while others are experiencing exponential increases in monthly premiums that are simply unaffordable. Americans are also under pressure to ensure that their family will have health coverage into the New Year, despite an unworkable and broken exchange website that makes it virtually impossible to sign up.

This undue stress and burden that has been unfairly placed on hard-working families is unacceptable. We can, and must, do better than this. House Republicans have remained focused on jobs – passing dozens of pro-growth jobs bills that are still awaiting action in the Senate and also from the president. You can learn more about these bills, track their status and even sign up as a citizen cosponsor through http://www.speaker.gov/jobs.

We also continue to fight the president’s disastrous health care law that is causing so much pain for families across the country.  I have voted dozens of times to repeal, dismantle and defund Obamacare. In addition to my efforts at repealing the law, I have also worked hard to provide an alternative to American families called the American Health Care Reform Act, which I am proud to cosponsor. This legislation is a patient-centered, free market alternative to Obamacare and is everything that Obamacare is not—it is effective, efficient, and affordable. Information about the plan can be found below, and is also available on my website.

Additionally, please remember the men and women of our armed services who may not have the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families and friends. We remain grateful for their sacrifice and service to our country, and I am privileged to represent some of these heroes in the second district.

If you ever have any questions or concerns about these or any other issues, please reach out to my offices. We are always here to serve you. Contact information for my Washington and district offices can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. 

Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season, and have a very Merry Christmas!

A Better Way

Conservatives recognize that patient-centered reforms rooted in free markets are the best way to lower costs and solve problems in our health care system. The American Health Care Reform Act (H.R. 3121) is a pragmatic, practical, and portable free-market alternative to the current health care system that:

  • Fully repeals President Obama’s health care law, eliminating billions in taxes and thousands of pages of unworkable regulations and mandates that are driving up health care costs.
     
  • Spurs competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations.
     
  • Reforms medical malpractice laws in a commonsense way that limits trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining strong protections for patients.
     
  • Provides tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, just like companies, leveling the playing field and providing all Americans with a standard deduction for health insurance.
     
  • Expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses.
     
  • Safeguards individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections.
     
  • Protects the unborn by ensuring no federal funding of abortions.

For more information, visit the Republican Study Committee’s website by clicking here. To become a citizen cosponsor of H.R. 3121, click here.

Mr. President, what are you waiting for?

Click here or on the image above to see a few of the bills that Republicans in the House have passed in an effort to get our economy moving again. Visit http://www.speaker.gov/jobs for more information about these bills and to show your support by becoming a citizen cosponsor.

In the News

GOP Women’s Group Will Admit Men in 2014
Roll Call
In the last days of 2013, male House Republicans acknowledged publicly that their party needs an attitude adjustment when it comes to including and embracing women in politics and policymaking. Now, some will be joining the Republican Women’s Policy Committee, which was relaunched several months ago by Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, as the group seeks to boost its clout heading into 2014.

Meehan, Ellmers laud passage of Kids First Act
The Ripon Advance
Reps. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) applauded the House’s passage of the Garbriella Miller Kids First Research Act on Wednesday, which would divert federal funding for political party conventions to research on pediatric diseases and disorders.

Breakdown of the budget vote
High Point Enterprise
Here are some statements from area congressional representatives explaining their votes: Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-2nd — “Last night, I voted for an important first step in producing a sound budget that will fund the government over the next two years and restore economic certainty to our country over time. “This budget restores the ability for Congress to control the purse strings. By operating without a budget for the past several years, the government has been funded through continuing resolutions, allowing the White House to direct funding to all sorts of unnecessary programs.”

Pediatric Medical Research Bill Named for Virginia Girl on the House Floor
CBS News Richmond
The act is sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper, a Republican from Mississippi. It’s cosponsored by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC).

Kathleen Sebelius admits Obamacare sign-ups still 3 million short of goal
Washington Examiner
Given these reports, along with similar stories around the country, Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., asked Sebelius whether she still stands by Obama’s promise that Americans could keep their doctors under the new law. Sebelius said insurers have always made decisions “day in and day out” to change which doctors they offer in their plans. “As you well know, in the private market, networks change on a constant basis,” she said. “There is nothing in the law that has their doctor lost to them.”

Rep. Ellmers to Obama: Give Americans ACA Delay for Christmas
Newsmax
President Barack Obama should deliver a priceless Christmas present to Americans this holiday season: a one-year delay in the start of the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Renee Ellmers says. “The promises that the president made to us — that you could keep your healthcare plan if you like it…your doctor if you want to keep your doctor — all of these things now are being proven to be less than truthful,” Ellmers, R-N.C., told “The Steve Malzberg Show” on Newsmax TV.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!