Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments after President Obama and key representatives of the nation’s health care industry announced the industry’s promise to cut $2 trillion in costs over 10 years.

“The news from the White House marks a significant breakthrough in the work on comprehensive health reform.  President Obama’s leadership moves us closer to a real positive change for American families, and I applaud his work as well as that of the stakeholders who joined him.  While many of the stakeholders present today opposed our efforts to reform the nation’s health care system in the past, they have committed to work in a constructive manner this time around.  I appreciate them coming to the table today and look forward to learning more about the details of today’s announcement.

“While slowing the growth rate of health care costs is a very important piece of the health reform puzzle, however, there are a host of other important pieces.  I look forward to working with these stakeholders on their ideas, and hope they will work with me on mine – including a fair, viable public health insurance option.  I will continue to work with President Obama, my colleagues in the Congress, and health care stakeholders on a plan that will let Americans keep the freedom to choose their own doctors, while ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.”

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