Press Releases

September 9, 2009: Congressman Wittman Statement on President's Speech on Health Care Reform

Washington, D.C., September 9, 2009

Washington, DC - "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."

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.