WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) issued the following statement on President-elect Obama’s selection of Tom Daschle to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Director of the new White House Office of Health Reform and Dr. Jeanne Lambrew to serve as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Health Reform:

“President-elect Obama’s selection of Senator Daschle and Dr. Lambrew to lead his efforts on health reform sends a very strong signal that he is serious about working with Congress to tackle the skyrocketing cost of care and the growing number of uninsured in America.   If we are to put our economy on a strong path for the future, we must solve our health care crisis.  Having worked with Senator Daschle for years, I know he is the kind of leader we need to bring interested parties together and seek bipartisan solutions to the challenges at hand.” 

“Dr. Lambrew is also a trusted, knowledgeable leader whose expertise has helped guide the Ways and Means Committee and will be a great addition to the Administration’s health reform team.  The Committee stands ready to work with the incoming Administration and our colleagues in Congress to deliver meaningful, overdue reform to our nation’s health care system.” 

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