From Congressman Rob Wittman (who will be this week’s guest on the podcast):
“During a month spent traveling across the First Congressional District as well as addressing three public town halls, I heard a continued call from my constituents to make reforms to our current healthcare system. However, this does not mean that they invite a government takeover of their healthcare; and I agree. We must focus on cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, enacting tort reform, allowing folks to buy insurance across state lines, and not barring people from purchasing insurance when they have preexisting conditions.
As Congress reconvenes, we ought to do our part for recycling: place the current bill in the bin, pull out a blank sheet of paper, and start over. Members from both sides of the aisle should come together and start with what we agree on as a basis for reform – that is reducing costs of health care coverage, preserving both the choice of health care coverage and the relationship between the patient and their doctor and focusing on providing coverage for the 15 million people who are chronically uninsured. I’m committed to making this idea a reality, and stand willing to work with both my peers in Congress and the President as they are willing to allow both sides of the debate a seat at the table.”
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte:
While I agree that reforms to our system must be made, the plan President Obama presented tonight is not the answer. In recent weeks I have held several town meetings on healthcare reform both in person and by teleconference. Many thousands of people have participated with the overwhelming majority being opposed to a federal takeover. Despite the President’s rhetoric tonight I am still opposed to this takeover.
If we are going to prevent the federal takeover, I need your help. Many of you have already signed my petition at www.NoFedMed.com to let Senators Webb and Warner know you are opposed to this legislation. However, I need you to ask your friends, family members, and co-workers to sign the petition and keep the pressure on our Senators to vote No.
I will continue to be a vocal opponent to this federal takeover and I am counting on you to keep up the pressure in your community.
