Caucuses issue statements on health care reform progress

Congressional Progressive Caucus

http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov

80 Strong and Growing: Open to New and Different Ideas

Washington, DC--Today, House committee Chairs of Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means released a discussion draft for health care reform. The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive (CPC), Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement:

“The release of this language is a first-step in the monumental task we face in developing comprehensive health care reform policy.

“We welcome the draft and will evaluate the language in the upcoming days. In our evaluation, we will pay close attention to the language outlining the public option.

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus has already submitted principles for a public plan that provides a guarantee of healthcare coverage that is affordable, high-quality, accessible and which lowers costs for all consumers, regardless of income, health status, race, employment, or gender.

“As we work with our colleagues toward a final bill, the CPC will be vigilant in ensuring that the bill’s public option is robust and is linked to the existing infrastructure of Medicare, in order to maintain transparency and provide consumer protection in its administration, including payment systems, claims and appeals.

“As the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus, the CPC remains united that health care reform must include a robust public plan; we hope that our evaluation of the language in this draft bill upholds our principles.”

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	CAPAC - Gloria Chan - 202-302-8606
	CBC - Jioni Palmer - 202-226-9776
	CHC - Miguel Ayala - 202-225-2410

TriCaucus Encouraged by Health Reform Draft Unveiled Today

Many TriCaucus Priorities Included

(Washington DC) - Reps. Barbara Lee, Nydia Velazquez and Mike Honda - Chairs of the Congressional TriCaucus - comprised of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus - issued the following joint statement today:

"We applaud this important first step toward comprehensive health care reform, of which the cornerstone must be a robust public health option and the elimination of all health disparities.

"While this initial proposal in not inclusive of the all of the TriCaucus healthcare reform priorities, we are encouraged that many of our main concerns are addressed and we will work to strengthen the proposal by including others.

"We look forward to working with President Obama, House and Senate leaders and the committees of jurisdiction to ensure that the final package addresses the concerns of minority and underserved communities."