David P. Bernal, Principle-Centered Leadership
U.S. House of Representatives - California's 11th Congressional District
HEALTHCARE UPDATE
Although lawmakers left Washington this week for the President's Day recess, debate continued to amplify around the upcoming Health Care Summit. The Summit, scheduled for February 25th in Washington D.C., is considered by members of the news media to be the President's best attempt to salvage his health care reform agenda. Some Republicans view the Summit as political theater and a political trap for the GOP. White House officials insist, however, that the Summit is meant to find solutions to issues like soaring insurance premiums. As the health care reform debate continues to take shape this year, we encourage you and others to engage members of Congress.
Health Care Reform Negotiations:
President Obama Extends Invites to Health Summit, Lays Out Agenda: Last Friday, White House officials extended invitations to 21 lawmakers -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- to participate in the Health Care Summit. Invitees include the top leaders in the House and Senate and the committees with jurisdiction over health legislation. The top four leaders were each given the opportunity to invite four additional lawmakers to the Summit. The meeting will ultimately be comprised of 20 Democrats and 17 Republicans. Officials from the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation have also been invited. However, President Obama did not invite House or Senate Budget Committee leaders, including Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Ranking Member Judd Gregg (R-NH).
In addition, the invitation letter outlined the format for the event: President Obama will offer opening remarks, followed by comments from a Republican leader and a Democratic leader. The President will then moderate a dialogue on:
 | Insurance reforms; |
| Cost containment; |
| Expanding coverage; and |
| The impact of health legislation on the deficit. |
President Obama asked the Democrats to resolve the differences between the House and Senate bills and produce final proposed legislation prior to the Summit; however, House Democrats said Thursday that a single plan might not be ready in time. Obama also challenged Republicans to present a comprehensive reform package. The President pledged to post the Democratic plan online before the 25th of this month. Members of the news media suggested that President Obama may make his own health care reform proposal available.
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. - Patrick Henry, American Patriot (1736-1799)