A Message From Thom: 


What Thom’s Been Up To:

Fixing a Broken Veterans’ Administration System

Last week, Thom toured the Asheville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) where he met with both executive leadership and patients. The tour comes as the next phase in his fact-finding mission to develop a better understanding of best practices and ultimate failures within the VA facilities across the state of North Carolina. Thom has previously visited the Fayetteville, Durham and Salisbury VAMCs.

A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in April, Thom sent a number of recommendations to VA Secretary Robert McDonald and was tasked by Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson to spearhead a collaborative effort, working directly with the VA rethink the Department’s long-term strategy and identify more efficient practices. 


“’I'm very proud of the work that's going on in Fayetteville, in Durham, in Salisbury, up here in Asheville. What you want to do is figure why that's not occurring everywhere,’ said Tillis, a Huntersville Republican who sits on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. In fact, Tillis said he sees examples of good work going on in centers despite some well-publicized scandals within the Department of Veterans Affairs.”


Undoing Past Wrongs for Eugenics Victims

Thom recently introduced “The Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act,” which would exclude payments from state eugenics compensation programs from consideration in determining federal benefits. The legislation aims to further assist living victims receiving payments from any current or future state eugenics compensation program by excluding the compensation payments from being used in determining eligibility for, or the amount of, federal public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, SSI-Disabled, etc.  

 

Editorial: “Nevertheless, it is a pioneering effort. Many states conducted involuntary sterilizations, but North Carolina is the first to compensate victims. Tillis showed compassion and skill in enacting this important legislation… The Senate should act quickly on this bill before any of the victims loses benefits to which he or she is entitled. After they have waited so long for overdue compensation, it would be another crime if they lost a dime of it.”

Fighting For Better Health Care

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling on King V. Burwell, Thom took to the Senate floor to discuss the ever-failing Affordable Care Act and why President Obama’s current “one-size-fits-all” approach is simply not affordable and will not help deliver a health care system that works for everyone. He reiterated the need for health care to be decided upon and implemented at the state level, providing local, accountable and affordable coverage. Regardless of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the President’s health care law is beyond repair and Thom remains committed to finding and implementing a solution.

 


In Case You Missed It:

Tillis Launches New, Constituent-Focused Website

Thom officially launched a new website this week.  The website is the best way for interested North Carolinians to stay informed about all of the work Thom’s doing in Washington and across the state. Prioritizing his constituents, Thom’s new site allows you to easily contact any of his five offices, share your thoughts on issues and help you navigate a federal agency.  Thom and his staff look forward to your feedback on the new site.

   

 

Tillis Pushes for Passage of Trade Promotion Authority

Thom recently joined Fox Business’ Neil Cavuto to discuss Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and why the legislation is critical to ensuring our nation has the tools needed to be competitive in a rapidly changing global economy, and that America—not China—helps lead in writing the rules for international trade deals. TPA passed the Senate and was signed into law by President Obama shortly after Thom appeared on the show. 


Tillis Stops By Thresher's Reunion at Denton Farmpark 

Last weekend, Thom stopped by Thresher's Reunion where he met with North Carolinians and learned more about threshing, bailing and corn shelling.