By Kellyn Brown, 2-25-10
Here's how Montana's U.S. delegation reacted (through press releases) to Thursday's Health Care Summit:Congressman Denny Rehberg: “Today’s bipartisan health care discussion, which was the first time both cameras and Republicans were invited to the table, was at least a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the legislation has already been crafted in secret, behind closed doors and without public input. This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats, it’s about listening to the American people, like the thousands of men and women I heard from last year at 36 listening sessions across Montana. They want health care reform, and they want it done right. That’s why it’s so important to start over, put partisanship aside, and get to work finding workable solutions for Montana families.”[End of article]
Sen. Jon Tester: “Today’s meeting saw a lot of disagreement. But it was a step toward the bipartisanship Montanans expect. And it was a reminder that we’ve got to work together through these differences, because the stakes are just too high. We can work together to get something done, or we can do nothing. If we do nothing, Medicare will go bust, health care costs will continue to break Montana families, no one will hold insurance companies accountable, and rates will continue to go up. I’m not in the do-nothing camp.”
Sen. Max Baucus: “The summit was productive. It was good to be in the room with the President and my colleagues; and to discuss the facts on health care reform. As I’ve said from the very beginning, we are focused on three things -- lowering health care costs, for everyone, improving health care quality and ensuring every Montanan has access to quality, affordable health care. It’s clear that there are many things we all agree on, and now that we are closer than ever, it’s absolutely clear that we’ve got to get health reform done.”