WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) will serve on a select health care task force, created by House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) and led by Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt.  Jenkins is the only freshman serving in the group.

The group assembles some of the leading House legislators in an effort to outline needed health care reforms that Republicans will champion in the upcoming session of Congress.   The task force will offer solutions to increase Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care and highlight the consequences a government-run health care system would have for American families.  Their first meeting is this afternoon.

“Republicans are committed to making health care more affordable, more accessible and offer more options to American families,” Blunt said.  “Unfortunately, the only options we’ve seen so far this Congress would push us to a one-size-fits all government-run system.  Republicans will develop real solutions through this working group to improve our health care system by putting patients before paperwork and frivolous lawsuits.  This is a talented group of members and I am looking forward to working with Lynn on this important issue.”

Jenkins said, “There are many issues facing our nation’s health care system, ranging from access to affordable, high quality care, especially in rural regions of the country, to transparent price setting. Innovative solutions are needed to address these issues in the 111th Congress to ensure the health care system works for all stakeholders. Health care decisions are best made by patients and providers, not by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., and I look forward to working with this group to stand up for responsible solutions to improve our health care system.”

“Health care costs are too high, access is too limited, and American families and small businesses are looking to their leaders in Washington for free-market solutions, not a government-dominated health care bureaucracy,” Boehner said when announcing the group’s creation.  “House Republicans will not be content to be ‘the party of no.’  Instead, we will be the party of better solutions, and few issues demand more positive solutions than our nation’s health care crisis.”

In addition to Jenkins, the following members are on the House GOP Health Care Task Force:

•    Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Chairman
•    Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
•    Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.)
•    Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.)
•    Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.)
•    Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas)
•    Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.)
•    Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.)
•    Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)
•    Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.)
•    Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.)
•    Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.)
•    Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.)
•    Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)
•    Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.)