Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Cures and Tours

May 16, 2016 NC Elected Officials

Photo of the Week

Todd Helton lost his precious daughter, Ellie, to a brain aneurysm when she was just 14 years old. The Heltons have shared Ellie’s story with us in order to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and to encourage more research to find new treatments and cures.

 

Weekly Update
One of the underlying themes of this week was healthcare – touring healthcare facilities and meeting with many constituents and North Carolinians about pertinent healthcare legislation.

I started off the week with a visit to The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care facility in Cary. It was so touching to speak with staff and family members who are working to provide comfort and high quality care during a loved one’s last days. After this visit, I headed over to the Durham VA to receive an update on how we are expediting the pace at which healthcare services are provided to our veterans. I recognize this region is growing much more rapidly than the rest of the country, and I want to make sure that both the Fayetteville and Durham VA have what they need to care for our veterans.

Also this week, I met with a very special constituent from back home. Todd Helton lost his sweet daughter, Ellie, to a brain aneurysm when she was only 14 years old. I’ve had the honor of working with the Helton Family over the course of the last several months, and they have been so willing to share Ellie’s story with us in order to preserve her legacy and to encourage the need for more research and new treatments.

Take a quick peek of my work this week by scrolling down, and please know that representatives in my Dunn, Asheboro and D.C. offices are always happy to assist you!

 

 

Snapshots from the Week

It was a pleasure to visit with constituent Todd Helton in my Washington office, along with representatives of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) and The Bee Foundation to talk about brain aneurysm awareness and the need for more research funding. 

This great group made the trip to be in Washington for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s annual advocacy day.  I am honored that they took the time out of their schedule to come speak with me on the progress made thus far and discuss opportunities for moving forward.
                                                                                                                                                   

This week I toured the VA Hospital in Durham and talked with officials there about ways to improve the care our veterans receive.

 
On Wednesday, Col. Schmitkons visited my office in Washington regarding my fight to save the 440th Airlift Wing. During our meeting, we discussed the amendment I introduced which will ensure the Air Force steps up its airlift support at Fort Bragg following closure of the Wing.
 
 We had an opportunity to discuss the importance of military readiness and our paratroopers’ ability to train despite closure of the Wing.
 
It was great to meet with the North Carolina Association of REALTORS who were in Washington for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo.
 
 As a nurse myself, I have so much respect for those working to provide comfort and peace to patients at The Carolina Center Hospice Facility.
 
 I had the opportunity to meet and speak with sweet families and patients during my time there.
Newsworthy
 
 I’m proud to have worked with my colleague, Representative Richard Hudson, to introduce an amendment ensuring accountability and oversight of the Air Force. A brief excerpt of The Fayetteville Observer article can be found below:


Ellmers, a Republican from Dunn, said she believes the Air Force is paying closer attention to its Fort Bragg support now that it’s clear that Congress and others are keeping a close watch.

She said the quarterly reports required by her amendment would be another step in improving that oversight.

“We’re going to be watching this,” Ellmers said. “This is about accountability. We are going to be on top of this.”

Ellmers said much of her visit was focused on the fate of the 500 airmen still assigned to the 440th Airlift Wing. She said she is convinced the wing’s commander, Col. Karl A. Schmitkons, will do everything in his power to ensure those airmen are cared for and find new positions.

This week in the House we voted on legislation to combat the heroin and opioid problem which has reached epidemic proportions in our country.

A Victory for the People and the Constitution
 
On Thursday, a federal judge ruled against the Obama Administration stating that the Affordable Care Act is being funded unconstitutionally.  The district judged ruled in House v. Burwell that the Administration unlawfully funded parts of Obamacare without consulting and receiving appropriated funds from Congress. See part of my statement below or click here to read the full thing:

 “Today’s ruling against Obamacare demonstrates what I’ve been saying all along- the president’s signature healthcare law is unworkable and unaffordable.

“As made clear today, it is unconstitutional for the Obama Administration to spend money propping up this broken healthcare law without first having approval of the legislative branch. Checks and balances were instituted for a reason and Congress still holds the power of the purse strings despite President Obama’s efforts to the contrary.”
CategoriesNC Elected Officials