Dear Friends and Neighbors, Before serving in Congress, I earned a master’s degree in public health and spent more than 26 years working for the Virginia Department of Health. That experience shaped how I look at health care — not as an abstract policy debate, but as something that directly affects real people, families, and communities across Virginia. My focus in Congress has always been on protecting Virginians and making sure our health care system works better for the people it’s supposed to serve. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when care becomes unaffordable or inaccessible, and I’ve also seen how federal policies, both good and bad, play out on the ground. I do not support government-run health care. Time and again, it has reduced choice, increased costs, and placed Washington between patients and their doctors. Over time, it has made health care more expensive and less flexible for families, small businesses, and providers. At the same time, when enhanced health care tax credits for individuals and families who obtain coverage through government marketplaces expired at the end of 2025, many families were suddenly facing steep premium increases through no fault of their own. Allowing those costs to spike overnight would not have fixed the underlying problems in our health care system. Instead, it would have created immediate hardship for working families while leaving the same broken structure in place. That’s why I supported a strictly temporary, three-year extension of these credits. This vote reflected both my public health experience and my commitment to responsible governance — protecting families from sudden cost increases today while continuing to fight for conservative, patient-centered solutions tomorrow. This vote was not an endorsement of the current system, nor was it a permanent expansion of federal health care policy. It was a short-term bridge to prevent immediate harm while Congress continues the work of reform. I will continue to oppose any effort to make temporary policies permanent and remain focused on real, long-term solutions that put patients, not bureaucrats, back in charge. That means giving families greater control over their health care choices and finances, promoting personalized care that meets individual needs, and increasing competition and transparency so premiums, deductibles, and overall costs come down. I want to be clear: our health care system still needs reform. We must continue lowering costs, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for every American — especially the most vulnerable, including those with pre-existing conditions. That means strengthening rural hospitals, protecting seniors and veterans, expanding access to innovative treatments, and advancing policies that lower costs through competition and transparency. As always, I value your feedback and remain committed to serving you with honesty, experience, and common sense. Sincerely,Rob WittmanMember of Congress, Virginia’s 1st District P.S. If you’d like to stay informed about healthcare initiatives and other district priorities, you can sign up for updates at www.wittman.house.gov and follow our office on social media for the latest news and events.