Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after he and other RSC members met with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius yesterday regarding health care reform.

“Yesterday’s meeting was a constructive exercise in bipartisan discussion,” said Congressman Price. “As the administration has repeatedly misled the public by denying the existence of Republican health care solutions, it was encouraging to hear the Secretary acknowledge that Republicans are providing constructive ideas. Her commitment to further review our health care solutions is an important step. Having personally delivered our proposals to the Secretary, we hope that the administration will now put to rest the misinformation campaign to muzzle Republican ideas.

“While we may disagree on the most appropriate solutions to various aspects of health care reform, there was a clear consensus in the room that the status quo is unacceptable. Our members were very candid in discussing our ideas, as well as the many concerns we have with the legislation crafted by Democrats in Congress. The Secretary has a difficult job in defending a bill with which so many Americans are unhappy, but we appreciate her visit and the commitments she made to us. Only time will tell if the administration is sincere in accepting other ideas, but if there is any hope for bipartisan solutions on health care reform, meetings such as this one must become the norm rather than the exception. Consequently, we will continue to seek out a discussion with the President on this important issue.”

NOTE: During the meeting, Congressman Price shared with Secretary Sebelius these bills and amendments offered by RSC Members.