Congressman Dave Reichert

Washington, DC, Sep 9, 2009 -

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) tonight issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress:

“President Obama and I share the goal of strengthening health care in our country. I’m pleased the President focused on the need for access to affordable health care for all Americans, especially those looking to purchase care outside of what their employers or the government provides. I have long fought to ease the financial burden of health care for these individuals and families and for health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, who need more support, not less. I am also pleased the President answered the call for medical malpractice reform.

“The health care overhaul bill considered in the House doesn’t match the President’s pledges tonight, and has so far advanced without any bipartisan input. The President failed to specify tonight how he intends to pay for a nearly $1 trillion proposal. The bill I voted against in the House still has not accounted for $240 billion in new spending – that’s a far cry from not impacting our exploding federal deficit.

“I am concerned that the proposal for government-run insurance is still being considered, that the bill before the House threatens to cut billions of dollars in seniors’ Medicare benefits, and that proposals to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship remain.

“I am eager to work with the President to address these concerns; to adopt common-sense reforms to strengthen our health care system without raising costs, reducing choices, or bankrupting our nation.”

More information on Congressman Reichert’s health care reform proposals can be found at http://reichert.house.gov/healthcare.