Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today was invited to attend President Obama’s health care summit on Thursday.

“As a doctor, I saw firsthand the difficulties patients face in our health care system, and I continue to work with my colleagues to address the most pressing problem, which is lowering health care costs for all Americans,” said Boustany. “I am hopeful the President will listen to the bipartisan solutions we advocate.  Health care is too important to simply rush through a glossy, 2,000 plus page bill.  We need to scrap the current bills and start with commonsense solutions to lower health care costs.”

C-Span 3 will televise the summit live beginning at 10:00am EST.

Boustany, a cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, was first elected to Congress in December 2004.  Serving his third term in office, Boustany sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee with jurisdiction over tax policy, Medicare and entitlement programs.

In September, Boustany outlined Republican solutions to lower health care costs in a national address following the President.  He proposed allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines and creating the ability to pool together through small businesses or associations to increase purchasing power.  In addition, Boustany suggested providing incentives for wellness and limiting frivolous medical lawsuits, which drive up costs for patients.

As a physician, Congressman Boustany understands the importance of healthcare and is at the forefront of health care policy in Congress.  He believes the doctor-patient relationship is the most important part of health care and has worked to implement patient-centered health care solutions that improve quality and patient satisfaction while lowering costs. 

Last year, National Journal called Boustany “a vote [Democrats] need” to achieve bipartisan reform in this story, saying:

“If Democrats are interested in passing a health care reform bill with Republican support, Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., is the kind of vote they need. Boustany, who was a heart surgeon until he entered Congress in 2005, is a true believer in reform. "We have far too many individuals and families who do not have access to a physician," he said in an interview last week. He favors pragmatism over ideology. And he calls bipartisanship ‘essential.’”

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