U.S. Chamber Reiterates Better Path Forward on Health Reform

'Attempts to Jam Through Legislation That Has Been Soundly Rejected Should Be Taken Off the Table,' Says Josten

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President of Government Affairs R. Bruce Josten released the following statement on today's health care summit:

"Today's summit was a chance to have an open dialogue and discuss real solutions to improve our current health care system and lower costs. If Congress agrees to start over, there are clearly many areas of agreement where targeted legislation could achieve the results Americans want and the shared goals of both political parties. Some of those items include: cutting down on waste and fraud; new pooling options for small businesses; relief for individuals with pre-existing conditions; and medical liability reform.

"The cloud that hangs over businesses and the economy today is, quite simply, uncertainty created by a bid to reorganize one-sixth of the U.S. economy all at once. Many companies are cutting costs and are hesitant to hire new employees, fearing the new costs that current legislation would impose. They see health care proposals from Congress and the administration that contain a burdensome mandate on employers and lacking meaningful reforms to improve quality or control costs.

"The Chamber has been advocating for meaningful, common sense health reform that will cure the problems in the current system. Health care reform should be bipartisan and passed through regular order. Attempts to jam through legislation that has been soundly rejected by the American people and the business community should be taken off the table.

"It is our sincere hope that Congress and the administration will reach a bipartisan agreement that meets the needs of America's job creators. The Chamber's doors continue to be open should Congress choose to reevaluate their current approach."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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