| Michaud Statement on Health Care Reform Progress |
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| Friday, July 31 2009 | |
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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement on health care reform. Michaud has been working with his colleagues to ensure that rural areas and small businesses are treated fairly in health care reform. Some tentative agreements have been made to help address these two concerns. He has also been a strong supporter of making sure a public option is included in the bill. “I voted against adjourning Congress so that we could stay in session and complete work on a health care reform package. Though it appears Congress will break for the month of August, I believe that the ongoing work on health care reform is positive and demonstrates that some good progress has been made. “Over the next few weeks, three House committees will work to merge their versions of health care reform into one package. The Senate is also working on a bipartisan way forward. Recent agreements reached in the House are likely to improve the legislation, making reform work better for Mainers and our small businesses. I remain hopeful that this process will produce strong legislation that will lower costs, expand coverage and improve quality for all Americans. “In my view, the House bill that we are ultimately asked to vote on must have a public option for me to support it. I have strongly urged House leadership to work to keep it in the final package. I am hopeful that it will be included, especially given that all three House committees have supported the idea of a public option. “Having time to understand and read this bill has been good for the process. I have read the entire draft bill and recently participated in a 5 hour briefing where the staff of the three committees reviewed every section of the bill. It was a very informative and productive session that was praised by many of the members who attended. I also held a telephone town hall so that I could hear directly from Mainers on health care reform. “Now, due to recent agreements and continued committee work, we expect some more changes will be made to the bill. When the final legislation is put together and made available to members, I will review it again. I will also be talking to Maine health care providers, small businesses, individuals and families. Because this process was not rushed, we will know what we are voting on and how it will affect our constituents. “I encourage all Mainers to contact me to share their views. In the meantime, I will continue to update my website with the most up-to-date information available as this process moves forward.”
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