Helm is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Agricultural Development Initiatives, Inc., which he started in 2001 to help families produce, consume and market nutritious food. He also previously worked as a high school math teacher and coach in Forsyth and Yadkin counties. Helm attended Wake Forest University and Johns Hopkins University. He has been married for 34 years and has three children; They lived abroad from 2002 to 2014.
Our Q&A with Todd Helm
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security and strength of Medicare?
I would address Medicare as one line in the overall federal budget. Our nation must move to a balanced budget. Therefore, every line of federal spending must be cut by a uniform amount. By cutting back to a sustainable budget, a balanced budget, the nation will become stronger as a whole. In addition, individual programs like Medicare will gain long-term stability when the entire budget is in balance.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care and pharmaceutical costs?
Free markets are the strength of the American economy. Greater competition in the health care sector and in the pharmaceutical industry will allow for more efficient production and lower equilibrium prices. As regional health care providers expand there tends to be less competition. The dynamics of relating to an insurance provider is keeping American health care consumers from driving down the cost of healthcare by getting multiple quotes for needed services.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
Time limits and work requirements are good. As a principle, people are expected to work. In other words, work requirements are a normal part of the world for every citizen. Having a time limit on the extension of services can serve as a motivating force for workers who need to get back into a productive role.
How do you think Congress can improve access to child care?
Congress should not improve access to child care. Parents, not the federal government, are responsible for the care, supervision and education of children.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
Abortion is wrong. Abortion is a choice that has negative consequences. Every abortion ends a child’s life. Not one taxpayer dollar should be used to perform or to promote abortion. Instead of pushing for abortion, our society should be encouraging adoption. Sexual activity should only be considered normal, responsible, and appropriate when it is within the framework of one man, one woman and one lifelong union.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
Medication and healthcare are not a part of the constitutionally defined role of the federal government.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The FCC [Federal Communications Commission] should not be granted additional federal funding for this program.
PFAS contamination is a country-wide issue; How do you balance public safety and business interests with this issue?
The real impact of pollution on human life is tragic. Businesses and government service providers must be held accountable to keep soil, air and water clean.
Do you think the federal government is ready for the next pandemic? Why or why not?
Yes. The federal government has learned that government should not infringe upon an individual’s right to refuse any given healthcare treatment. Managing a pandemic is not a part of the constitutionally defined role of the federal government.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
Managing mental health and the opioids crisis are not a part of the constitutionally defined role of the federal government.
Do you think the federal government should enforce stricter requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions? Why or why not?
Yes. Hospitals appear to be gaining large amounts of money in excess of costs. The treatment of sick people by nonprofit entities should not be viewed as a context
that is appropriate for gaining large profits.
Are there any other health issues you’d like to weigh in on?
We need more transparency. Publishing the menu price of every established health care procedure would help the industry to become more competitive. The goal of an efficient health care provider should be to drive down the cost of health care goods and services, not to increase service provider profits.