Mark's Weekly Update

Standing Up for Consumer Choice In Healthcare

Remember when the President told the American people that if they liked their health plans, they could keep them under Obamacare? But then that turned out to be untrue and millions of Americans lost their existing coverage. Now, a proposed new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule will likely lead to even more Americans losing their existing plans. 

The proposed rule includes an overly reaching provision allowing CMS to re-enroll anyone who has not made the annual trek back to healthcare.gov in a cheaper plan of CMS' choosing.That's right, the government will choose your plan, perhaps limit access to your doctor, and ultimately make the decision on what is "best" for you. I sent a letter to CMS demanding they immediately strip this provision from the pending rule and abandon any future attempts to single-handedly choose Americans' healthcare plans. Read my latest op-ed in the Washington Times here.

My New Role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee

I'm honored to have been appointed Chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations. The current Administration is among the least transparent in history and has stonewalled Congress at every turn. I look forward to working with Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and my colleagues on the Committee to end this Administration's legacy of secretiveness. Read my full statement here.

In addition to my new role chairing the Government Operations Subcommittee, I will also continue to serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Transportation and Infrastructure is critically important to Western North Carolina's interests and gives me the opportunity to be directly involved in our nation's infrastructure needs. I'm also pleased to continue my role on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where many important international policy issues are addressed. 

Merry Christmas from the Meadows Family

This time of year is one of my favorites, a season when I'm able to pause and reflect on the last year and enjoy precious time with family and friends. Most importantly, during the Christmas season I'm reminded of the many blessings bestowed upon me, including the greatest one of all--Christ's sacrifice on the cross. From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy, healthy, and blessed Christmas!

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." ?Luke 2:9-11