WASHINGTON, DC – Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) met today with the chairmen of the three committees working to develop health care reform legislation in the House - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (CA), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (NY), and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (CA) – and other health care leaders to discuss the reform initiative. Hoyer and the three chairmen issued the following statement after the meeting:
“We may have three Committees with jurisdiction over health care in the House of Representatives, but we speak with one voice. Reforming America’s health care system to control costs and ensure that everyone has affordable care that meets their needs is central to long-term economic recovery and growth. We are committed to working together to advance health reform legislation that meets the objectives laid out by President Obama. Today’s meeting was very productive as we continue to move forward in a focused and coordinated way to improve health care for all Americans. ”
“We may have three Committees with jurisdiction over health care in the House of Representatives, but we speak with one voice. Reforming America’s health care system to control costs and ensure that everyone has affordable care that meets their needs is central to long-term economic recovery and growth. We are committed to working together to advance health reform legislation that meets the objectives laid out by President Obama. Today’s meeting was very productive as we continue to move forward in a focused and coordinated way to improve health care for all Americans. ”
House Democrats continue to be very focused on the goal of passing a comprehensive health care reform package this year. In the 111th Congress, the three committees of jurisdiction have conducted 10 hearings on health care reform, including two this week. Over the April District Work Period, Democrats held more than 150 health care related events in their districts on the need for reform. The goal is to pass a comprehensive health care bill through the House by August.
Other members participating in the meeting were Rep. John D. Dingell (MI), Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; Rep. Pete Stark (CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; and Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ), Chairman of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions.
Other members participating in the meeting were Rep. John D. Dingell (MI), Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; Rep. Pete Stark (CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; and Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ), Chairman of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions.
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