Richard Hudson, a Charlotte native, has served in Congress since 2013, first in North Carolina’s 8th District and then in the 9th District. He also serves as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Hudson graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in politics and history. After college, he served as a staffer in Washington, D.C., working his way up to chief of staff for Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), John Carter (R-Texas) and Mike Conaway (R-Texas). He has previously served on the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees, Board of Governors of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association, Board of Managers of the West Cabarrus YMCA and Board of Directors of the Cabarrus Jaycees. Hudson and his wife, Renee, live with their son in Southern Pines.
Our Q&A with Richard Hudson
NC Health News reached out to Richard Hudson’s campaign multiple times looking for answers to our list of questions and received no response. To give readers information, we combed the internet and social media for information, looked at his Congressional voting record and found statements by Hudson and material from his official campaign website that could address the themes in our questions. Unfortunately, we were not able to find material to answer every question.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security/ strength of Medicare?
Hudson did not respond to this question. However, he has supported legislation to improve access to timely care and ensure Medicare recipients have access to their preferred physicians by increasing what doctors are paid for taking Medicare patients. He also received the “Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award” by the 60 Plus Association in 2018 for his efforts to save Medicare and Social Security.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care/ pharmaceutical costs?
Hudson did not respond to this question, but he has co-sponsored legislation in the past that was intended to lower prescription drug costs.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
Hudson did not respond to this question. However, he voted for legislation that would require individuals ages 19 to 55 to work, perform community service, or participate in a work program (or a combination of these) for at least 80 hours per month. Anyone not meeting those requirements for three or more months in a year could be disenrolled. Some Medicaid recipients, such as those physically unable to work or enrolled at least part-time in school, would be exempt.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Hudson did not respond to this question. However, in 2021, he sponsored a bill that would have established two grant programs at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award up to $20 billion and $3 billion each over five years to expand broadband access in rural and underserved communities. The bill did not become law. At the time, Hudson said: “This pandemic has exposed new haves and have-nots in America – those with access to the internet and those without it. As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I am determined to help close the digital divide and expand access to broadband across rural communities in North Carolina and around the country.”
PFAS contamination is a country-wide issue; How do you balance public safety and business interests with this issue?
Hudson did not answer this question, but he has supported legislation to require the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate PFAS and to require the Department of Defense to include assessments for PFAS exposure in health evaluations for veterans, military members and their families who may have been exposed to PFAS. Neither bill became law.
Is the federal government ready for the next pandemic? Why or why not?
Hudson did not respond to this question. However, in 2020, he sponsored the “Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act” to strengthen the national stockpile of personal protective equipment and expand future vaccine development, although the bill got stuck in committee and was never voted on by the House.
In 2009, Congress required more transparency from hospitals on their charitable work. Do you think the federal government should enforce stricter requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions? Why or why not?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
Hudson did not respond to this question, but he has co-sponsored legislation that would require physicians be prosecuted for performing abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. On his campaign website, Hudson said he is “100% Pro-Life and fights for legislation which protects life from conception until natural death.”
How can Congress improve access to child care? What states are leading the way that you think could be a good federal model? What are your thoughts on the EITC/child care tax credit?
Hudson did not respond to this question. He co-sponsored legislation in 2021 that would have required the creation of programs for service members to pay for childcare on a pretax basis.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
Hudson did not respond to this question, but he has supported multiple bills on both issues. Last year, for example, he sponsored a bill focused on improving the mental health of college athletes and the year before that he co-sponsored a bill aimed at suicide prevention among veterans. Neither bill became law. He also co-sponsored bills that would have created a pilot program for school districts to train school resource officers, security personnel, and school nurses to administer the opioid-reversal drug Narcan and that would require the Department of Defense to develop a policy and tracking mechanism for monitoring and prohibiting the overprescribing of opioids to military members or their families.