American Health Care Act: Passed in the House

I am thrilled that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) passed the House this week.  For the last seven years, I have watched the health care system that I worked in for more than thirty years crumble under its own weight. Thanks to Obamacare, premiums and health care costs have skyrocketed, choice has been eliminated, and the dire situation is only getting worse. At home in Georgia, 96 counties only have one insurer to choose from on the exchange. That isn't a choice at all.

With passage of the AHCA this week, we are one step closer to a patient-centered health care system with the choice and control needed to empower patients. 

This bill guts Obamacare and dismantles the Obamacare taxes that hurt job creators, increased premiums, and eliminated choice. It also eliminates the individual and employer mandate penalties which forced millions of Americans to buy expensive plans that they didn't want or couldn't afford. 

The AHCA also provides states with funding to create programs that meet the needs of their own patient populations, help low-income Americans afford health care, and provide a safety net for Americans with pre-existing conditions. After all, states know more about patients at home than bureaucrats behind a desk in Washington. 

It also strengthens Medicaid while protecting current Medicaid beneficiaries. This is the largest entitlement reform in a generation and puts the program on a sustainable path.

With the AHCA, Americans are empowered to spend their health care dollars the way they want and need by expanding Health Savings Accounts. This bill nearly doubles the amount of money you can contribute. Monthly tax credits are also available for low- and middle-income individuals who don't receive insurance through work or a government program to ensure Americans are able to access affordable, quality health care. 

Finally, our bill allows dependents to continue on their parent's health plan until they are 26 and ensures health care for those who need it the most. Under our plan, insurance companies are prohibited from denying coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition, banned from rescinding coverage based on a pre-existing condition, and prevented from raising premiums on individuals with pre-existing conditions who maintain coverage.

Also, to be clear, I voted to ensure no Member of Congress can exempt themselves from the AHCA. No one should be above the law. 

I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly on this legislation to let families and patients across America know that help is on the way. The AHCA will ensure patients are no longer forced to live under Washington's one-size-fits-all health care mandates and taxes and it should be signed into law as soon as possible. 

This is a big win in the fight to repeal and replace Obamacare, but now the work continues. As I have always said, the AHCA is a strong step, but I'm committed it's not the last.

Boosts for National Security and Georgia Priorities
Also this week, a bipartisan majority in the House advanced a federal funding measure that boosts key priorities for national security and the State of Georgia. I supported this bill for several important reasons. 

First, the primary responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the safety and security of the American people. This legislation contains the biggest increase in border security funding in a decade and begins to rebuild our national defense infrastructure.  Most importantly, it broke the long-held demand of Washington Democrats for level increases between defense and non-defense programs.

The bill is also critical for local military installations, troops, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The world class defense facilities in South and Coastal Georgia are not only critical for our national security but for the long term economic vitality of our area. This bill provides the largest pay increase in six years for our troops.  It keeps the A-10s flying at Moody, continues the conversion of the 2nd Infantry Combat Brigade Team at Fort Stewart, and continues programs we need for the future of Kings Bay and Hunter Army Airfield.  It also invests in the future of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and funds much-needed repairs at Coast Guard facilities still recovering from Hurricane Matthew.

Finally, our deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick garnered much-needed federal support in the legislation.  The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is set to receive an additional $42.7 million to continue construction.  The Ports of Savannah and Brunswick will receive a combined $28 million for ongoing maintenance. Our ports are the economic engines of not just our area and not just our state but of the entire region. This bill keeps them chugging along and continues work on Georgia’s number one economic development initiative: the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

From our Nation's Capitol CXII
Monday, May 1, 2017:  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens for their annual Sunday Supper in the Strawberry Patch.  Known by most locals as the Bamboo Farm, this coastal treasure is located just south of Savannah and is part of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.  With the support of one of the most enthusiastic board of directors and group of volunteers anywhere, this beautiful facility is always a great place to visit. 

Congressman Carter greets riders with Law Enforcement United
This morning, I’m in Darien and McIntosh County as I greet bike riders with Law Enforcement United (LEU) at their first stop on the more than 1,000 mile ride from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynn County to Washington, D.C. for Police Week. This great group of active duty and retired law enforcement officers ride in honor of officers who have died in the line of duty.  Afterwards, I head to Sea Island where I speak to a roundtable meeting of active and retired business leaders and bring them up to date on the affairs of Washington.  Next, I continue heading south as I fly out of the Jacksonville airport for my return trip to Washington.  While at the airport, I have a phone interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting to discuss the executive order signed last Friday by President Trump that could potentially open up new areas of federally administered waters to energy development.  Once back in Washington, I head straight to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss the upcoming omnibus bill to fund the federal government that we will vote on Wednesday as well as the potential health care bill we will vote on this week.  Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards have a meeting with my good friends from Georgia State University, including President Mark Decker.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017:  The topic of discussion at our Doctor’s Caucus meeting this morning is, of course, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and how it will potentially impact health care delivery in our country.  Afterwards, I head to our weekly Republican Conference where we discuss the upcoming Omnibus vote as well as the potential vote on the AHCA.  Next, I head to a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on “Examining Improvements to the Regulation of Medical Technologies” as we review several bipartisan bills related to the regulation of various medical technologies.  Included in these bills is H.R. 1652, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2107, a bipartisan bill that I am co-sponsoring with Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA).  Afterwards, I head to a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee on “Combating Waste, Fraud & Abuse in the Medicaid Program.”  Once I’m back in my office, I meet with Howard University President Dr. Wayne Frederick to learn more about this fine university. 

Congressman Carter meeting with the Community Bankers Association of Georgia
After our weekly staff briefing, I meet with the Georgia Beer Wholesalers followed by the Community Bankers Association of Georgia before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  After votes, I meet with McKesson Corporation executives in the Rayburn Room just off the House Chamber before returning to my office for a meeting with Georgia Public Library Services followed by a telephone interview with WSAV in Savannah regarding offshore energy development.  Next, I head downtown where I speak to a group from the Food Marketing Institute before heading back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day.  Later, I have a quick phone call with my former House colleague and now Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney to discuss funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).

Wednesday, May 3, 2017:  My first meeting this morning is with advocates supporting the heartbeat bill, an anti-abortion bill that says an abortion can’t be done if there’s a heartbeat.  Among those present to support the bill is former Majority Leader Tom Delay from Texas.  Next, I meet with General Aviation Manufacturers of America (GAMA) including Gulfstream President Mark Burns, before meeting with the Association of Mature American Citizens followed by the Land Trust Managers.  After attending a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  Once back in my office, I have a meeting with Hospice Savannah and my good friends Phillip Solomons, Jr and Debra Larson before meeting with representatives from a compounding pharmacy group.  Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce Committee members only meeting where we discuss the final amendment to AHCA which will strengthen protections for those with pre-existing conditions and then head to the House Chamber for our second and final votes series of the day.  Before heading downtown where I am the keynote speaker at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists annual Washington fly-in, I swing by my office to meet with members of the 

Congressman Carter with the Equinox Orchestra
fabulous Equinox Orchestra who are based out of Savannah and are in Washington performing this week.

Thursday, May 4, 2017:  Today is THE day!  After years of gnashing of teeth while we suffered through the train wreck known as Obamacare, we are set to vote on AHCA later today. After a radio interview with Sirius XM POTUS channel to discuss AHCA, I head to a called Republican Conference meeting where we discuss today’s pending vote on AHCA.  Before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I swing back by my office to meet with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and then meet with representatives from Honda followed by a meeting with acting director Richard Baum with the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber where we pass the AHCA by a vote of 217-213 and then head to the White House for a press conference in the Rose Garden with President Donald Trump.  Now AHCA goes to the Senate, where I am sure we will see some changes, but it’s clear all of us are breathing a sigh of relief that the bill is continuing on.

Friday, May 5, 2017:  I’m greeted by the news media when I get off the plane in Savannah this morning and, of course, they are interested in AHCA and yesterday’s historic vote. 

Congressman Carter assessing storm damage in Garden City
Once I’m finished, I head straight to Garden City to meet with officials from the National Weather Service and assess the damage done by the tornado that touched down on Highway 80 yesterday.  While the damage to some buildings is devastating, we are thankful there were no serious injuries reported.  My afternoon is spent in the Savannah district office meeting with constituents and I finish my week at Fort Stewart as we hold a farewell ceremony in honor of Major General James E Rainey, who is relinquishing command of the 3rd ID on Monday and will be assigned to the Pentagon.  

 
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