Buchanan (fl13) :: Speech/Statement :: Embargoed Until After President's Speech


	Press Release	Media Contact: Sally Tibbetts 941.951.6643

	Embargoed Until After President's Speech
	September 9, 2009
	Washington, DC -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) released the following statement today regarding President Barak Obama’s health care address to a joint session of Congress. “Health care is a very personal issue that impacts all Americans,” said Buchanan. “I applaud the President for taking on such an important issue. What we need is a truly bipartisan effort to pass a thoughtful and balanced bill that will lower costs and increase access to affordable care without jeopardizing quality. “Private health insurance is too expensive for many working families,” added Buchanan. “We should focus on balanced, common-sense reforms such as eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, reducing frivolous lawsuits, coverage of pre-existing conditions, ensuring portability and preserving the doctor-patient relationship. We should also create association health plans that allow small businesses to purchase group health plans, which will make coverage more affordable by spreading risk and increasing negotiating power.