Washington, D.C. - Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) and Congressman Gene Green (D-TX-29) today announced the formation of a new, bipartisan Congressional Public Health Caucus in the House of Representatives. The caucus will serve as a formal group of members whose mission is to raise awareness of the importance of public health issues, and will provide educational opportunities for Members of Congress and their staff.
“More than 200 congressional caucuses currently exist, a number of which cover a variety of health issues and conditions,” said Congressman Wittman. “Until now, however, none have focused specifically on public health. It is fitting that we introduce the Congressional Public Health Caucus during National Public Health Week. The field of public health is dedicated to awareness and prevention, and this caucus will be a fantastic tool to raise awareness among members and congressional staff about how public health issues can impact their districts. We must do more to reduce the cost of health care in America, and by focusing our legislative efforts on prevention and public health, Congress can help to rein in costs in the future.”
“Public health is fundamental to a 21st Century health care system and provides huge social and economic benefits,” said Congressman Green. “Investing in public health has led to increased life expectancies, reductions of infectious and communicable diseases, swift response to emergencies, and improved health outcomes for our communities. I am pleased to join Rep. Rob Wittman to launch and lead the new bipartisan Congressional Public Health Caucus to elevate the conversation on the importance of a robust public health system.”
The Congressional Public Health Caucus will be a venue for members of Congress to discuss public health and prevention issues that impact their districts and improve awareness regarding public health matters across Capitol Hill. It will also be a platform for members to discuss and support federal policies that result in improved overall health for citizens across the United States.
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