Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today was selected to give an address on lowering health care costs following the President’s remarks to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

“As a doctor, I know we must lower costs and improve care, which we can accomplish by focusing on strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and working in a bipartisan way,” said Boustany. “Health care is a kitchen table issue that affects all Americans, and I believe we need an honest discussion about how we come together to fix what’s broken, while building on what works.  That’s why I’m pleased the President will speak to Congress tomorrow night, and I look forward to presenting commonsense reforms that Republicans and all Americans can stand behind.”

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 represents Louisiana’s Seventh Congressional District, which covers Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana.

As a physician, Congressman Boustany understands the importance of healthcare and is at the forefront of healthcare policy in Congress.  He believes the doctor-patient relationship is the most important part of healthcare and has worked to implement patient-centered healthcare solutions. 

Boustany is a member of House Ways and Means Committee with jurisdiction over tax, trade, health care and entitlement policy.  He is currently the only Republican doctor on the committee.

In a July story on health care, National Journal called Boustany “a vote [Democrats] need” to achieve bipartisan reform 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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