Truth about my votes

In a letter to the editor, my opponent has again mischaracterized my record and position on health-care policy. Let me be clear: I support and have always supported protecting health insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. To characterize that I have “voted dozens of times to … make care much more expensive or remove it entirely from hundreds of thousands of Arkansans” is grossly misleading and inaccurate.

The American Health Care Act, which we passed in the House of Representatives last year with my vote, protected health insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. This bill would now be law if it hadn’t failed in the Senate by one vote.

Since its passage, Obamacare has driven up the cost of health care and the cost of health insurance premiums, all while eliminating coverage options for many Arkansans—meaning that if you like your health insurance, no, in fact you can’t keep it, because it is so expensive.

Here’s the truth about my healthcare voting record: I have voted to give everyone access to affordable health insurance; I voted to put health decisions back in the hands of patients and their doctors; I voted for a federal pre-existing conditions policy to improve availability and cost of health care; I voted for states to have more freedom to structure their Medicaid plans to take care of their most vulnerable; I voted to allow insurance companies to sell across state lines to give consumers more choice; I voted to help small businesses band together to create insurance plans; and I voted for the Right to Try Act to give terminally ill individuals and their families a chance.

I believe this is the best approach to give all Arkansans better, more affordable coverage.

I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to lower cost, increase choice and competition, and provide access to affordable health care for all Arkansas and Americans. FRENCH HILL Little Rock U.S. Rep. French Hill represents Arkansas’ 2nd District.