Congressman Wilson’s Statement on Upcoming Health Care Summit
February 24, 2010
With 70 GOP Bills, A Lack of Material Will Not be a Problem
Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), member of the Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement highlighting what he would like to see during tomorrow’s health care summit:
“On Monday, four days before the coined ‘bipartisan health care summit,’ the White House jumped the gun and released their health care proposal before negotiations were scheduled to take place. The only thing to applaud about this health care proposal was the administration’s move to embrace transparency and post it online. Other than that, we are left with yet another government takeover of health care that is full of job-killing tax increases and federal mandates.
“The American people are facing waves of déjà vu as they have already rejected this type of government health care takeover. I hope this administration and congressional leaders will come together tomorrow and put the different proposals side-by-side to agree on a plan that makes health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. A lack of material to work with certainly will not be a problem as Republicans have offered the Washington liberal majority 70 different health care bills.
“It is time to come to a consensus on responsible health care elements that both parties agree on and then move on to focus on job creation policies,” said Congressman Joe Wilson.
Congressman Joe Wilson encourages the administration and congressional leaders to strongly consider H.R. 3400, the Empowering Patients First Act to provide access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans. More information on this bill can be found here and highlights include:
- Patients will be granted greater choice and portability
- The individual market will be expanded through pooling mechanisms, association health plans and individual member accounts
- The medical liability system will be reformed
Insures doctor-led quality measures - Covers pre-existing conditions
- Shines sunlight on health plans
- Protects employer-sponsored insurance