Ways and Means Hearing on Healthcare CEOs Putting Profits Over Patients
The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on the impact of rising healthcare costs on patients and families. Due to health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and their subsidiaries, the current cost of healthcare is high and only continuing to get higher.
As a physician of 35 years, I have primarily served in rural and underserved communities. I understand the challenges some face in accessing quality and affordable healthcare, and the reality that more and more families every day are struggling to receive affordable care.
The Health Insurance Industry has crafted deny, delay, and obstruct into an art form. I was proud to stand up for the millions of patients and those who care for patients against an industry that has increasingly put profits above patients.
PBMs raise drug costs, limit patient access, control community pharmacies, and possess little transparency and accountability. The top three PBMs control 80% of the prescription market and use their power to leverage pharmacies and health plans to prioritize their profits rather than patient access and affordability.
Additionally, the Affordable Care Act created a perverse system, known as the Medical Loss Ratio, where, as total health spending increases, so too can the amount of profits retained by insurance companies. Until we get serious about why healthcare costs so much, we're not going to be able to fix the problem. We have to commit to reducing the growing cost of care in this country through competition rather than just putting a taxpayer-funded band-aid on a bureaucratic disaster.
Watch my remarks here or by clicking on the photo below. I obviously struck a chord with America, as the video has gotten over 450,000 views.
FY26 Community Funding Wins for NC-03
Through the appropriations process, House Republicans continue to deliver results for the American people and for Eastern North Carolina by passing funding that improves the lives of constituents in the Third District. Overall, I am proud to share that I have secured $339.6 million for Military Construction on our Marine bases, $9.9 million in Community Project Funding requests for transportation, housing, and urban development projects, $1.4 million in Community Project Funding requests for commerce, justice, and science projects, and $4.2 million in Community Project Funding requests for energy and water development projects in 2026. That's a lot of great wins for Eastern North Carolina!
By enhancing peace through strength, improving service members’ quality of life, boosting American deterrence, providing public safety, expanding access to vital resources, and advancing economic competitiveness, we can best protect our great country, keep the world safe, and safeguard our cherished taxpayers' dollars. Additionally, this funding supports vital government agencies that assist Americans every day and advance national interests. We are continuing to support reliable energy, boost nuclear deterrence, improve land management, and enhance safety response, while simultaneously cutting wasteful spending and prioritizing lower costs for families through accountable policy.
I am proud that this funding includes essential support for our district to strengthen law enforcement and community safety, our energy and water infrastructure, and the resources our military and their families need as they sacrifice so much for our freedom and prosperity. We are taking decisive action by delivering real results to invest in crucial community needs that put you first.
Passage of Community Project and Defense Funding for NC-03
House Republicans continue to make historic progress in passing appropriations packages that put the American people first and deliver huge wins for Eastern North Carolina. I am proud to share that I secured about $10 million for community projects that will tremendously help improve public safety and infrastructure across the Third District. It is a pleasure to also announce several important provisions in the package that will enhance the military readiness and quality of life of our troops across installations back home.
It is an honor to be your voice in Washington, fighting to address the needs of everyone in our beautiful district. The pace at which Republicans are working to restore common sense in Washington through the government funding process is remarkable, and I will continue my tireless work to be your best advocate.
Passage of My Haiti Economic Lift Program Act
HOPE/HELP programs support economic opportunity for Haiti to improve stability. What happens in the Caribbean deeply affects the United States and the broader stability of our hemisphere. Ensuring opportunity and lawful economic activity in Haiti is squarely in our national interest and a strong deterrent to violent gangs, transnational criminal organizations, or hostile foreign actors.
I am proud that my Haiti Economic Lift Program Act passed the House of Representatives to provide stability and security for the Western Hemisphere. Thank you to Chairman Jason Smith for his leadership on this issue and the broad bipartisan support of the House of Representatives.
Introduced the Buying American Cotton Act
American cotton growers, especially those in Eastern North Carolina, play a critical role in our nation's farm economy. They help supply countless industries with high-quality raw material to produce clothing, home goods, industrial and medical products, and much more. Farmers in North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District produced over 113,000 bales of cotton in 2024.
However, global competition has made survival for our cotton growers difficult, straining rural communities and destabilizing our supply chain. I am proud to put Eastern North Carolina first by introducing the Buying American Cotton Act to support its rich tradition of producing high-quality cotton for the United States and the world.
We need to continue strengthening demand for U.S. cotton in order to keep our North Carolina farms running and our rural communities strong. This bill will do just that by offering a tax credit to the U.S. entity that sells an eligible product directly to a consumer in the country.
Meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Iceland and the Ambassador of Iceland to the United States
I had the opportunity to meet with the Permanent Secretary of Iceland, the Ambassador of Iceland to the United States, and several other advisors to discuss bilateral relations and global security challenges around the Arctic and NATO.
As Co-Chair of the Iceland Caucus, I am grateful for our country’s strong relationship with Iceland. Our two countries have had diplomatic ties, shared values, and similar ideals for years. Military cooperation among our countries is mutually beneficial for NATO and Arctic security.
Thank you to the Permanent Secretary and the Ambassador for meeting with me!
Meeting with the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce
I spoke with several current and former presidents of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce. We discussed the importance of nearshoring our supply chains to maintain manufacturing practices that help Puerto Rico and the United States economically flourish. Especially when it comes to the production of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, we must focus our assembly efforts at home rather than offshoring this work.
I am thankful for the work of these individuals to protect the pharmaceutical and medical device production and for working with Congress to maintain business development in the area.
Answering Your Questions
Continuing our Q&A series! As your voice in Congress, I'm committed to listening to the diverse opinions of constituents from across our district.
I enjoy sharing unfiltered feedback on what is happening in Washington and answering any questions you may have.
One Year of President Trump
One year ago, President Trump was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. During this year, we have worked together to deliver historic tax relief, secure our borders, lend a helping hand to seniors and working families, and put the American people first once again.
I am grateful for President Trump’s leadership and contributions to our great nation. It has been a tremendous year, and I look forward to continuing to address the greatest challenges facing America in 2026!
A+ for 2025 Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Scorecard
I am proud to have earned an A+ for 2025 on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Scorecard for consistently voting to protect the lives of the unborn and to stop forced taxpayer funding of abortion.
As a physician and father, I will always cherish and protect life.
