Under the Biden administration, and when Democrats had a majority in Congress, they used the excuse of COVID to create temporary “COVID credits” – or what are referred to as Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs) – to extend subsidies under Obamacare. In doing so, they allowed individuals who make upwards of $600,000 per year to receive taxpayer-funded, subsidized health care coverage from the federal government. Now, with these temporary “COVID credits” set to expire this year, Democrats are threatening to shut down the government if they are not made permanent. Democrats continue to concoct false claims that millions are losing coverage for health care – which is a proven lie – and at the same time, they refuse to admit that their own “COVID credit” scheme continues to greenlight astronomical fraud.

Per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in 2025 alone, 2.3 million ineligible individuals received these temporary credits. Why? The Biden-Harris administration took a hatchet to eligibility safeguards, weakened eligibility verification, reduced tax reporting, and allowed insurance brokers to game the system by switching enrollees’ plans monthly. This led to “phantom enrollees” – millions of people who never actually received health care, meaning that insurance companies gobbled up premiums paid for by the American taxpayer. For context, $35 billion was spent on approximately 4.6 million “phantom enrollees” in 2024 who never received health care.

So, just how much money do Democrats want hardworking taxpayers to fork over to keep this scheme alive? Over $400 billion. The pandemic is over – there is NO NEED for the continuation of these temporary credits especially when considering the blatant fraud that has been allowed to occur for years at the expense of hardworking taxpayers. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington penned an insightful op-ed this week in the Washington Examiner that covers this issue further and presents the facts about the reforms Republicans are focused on creating to lower health care costs and slash waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system. I highly encourage you to read the Chairman’s op-ed as well as the background information provided on the Committee’s website. What this boils down to is the Democrats are demanding to continue this fraudulent program, or they will shut down the government – this is pure absurdity.

An Interesting Read

The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal recently released a detailed report on how failed DEI policies are corroding medical schools across the nation. This is an issue that I investigated extensively as Chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and I pushed for medical schools across the nation to drop these dangerous standards. Medical education based on competency and merit is necessary to continue the United States status as a leader of the world in health care and medical innovation. Medical schools must instill this fundamental precept in our country’s future health care professionals.

A Piece of American History

One of many questions I have heard from constituents is where they can find information on events related to America’s 250^th anniversary. This week, I’m sharing a helpful resource that highlights events in North Carolina and across the nation – whether virtual or in person – that celebrate the nation’s founding. From tours to virtual storytelling, museum events to exhibits, there are ample opportunities, and many more to come, to take part in this celebration. Linked here, is a helpful, interactive website that you can use to find information on events near you. 

Quote of The Week

" Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is taken to bring it to light."

-George Washington

 Have a blessed weekend,