Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, today raised serious questions about tomorrow’s scheduled hearing on “Examining the Single Payer Health Care Option." Kline noted the hearing - which will examine one of the most radical options on the table for Democrats’ health care overhaul - was announced without the customary minimum seven days notice, and is being held just days before Democrats are reportedly planning to unveil their partisan reform package.
“Our health care system is in need of serious reform. Republicans and Democrats alike recognize the shortcomings of the current system and the need for meaningful change," said Kline. “Unfortunately, rather than coming to the negotiating table in good faith, Democrats are working behind closed doors to develop a partisan plan."
The hearing - only the third to be held by the subcommittee this year examining the challenges facing America’s health care system - was announced late last week. Convening a hearing with less than seven days notice requires members to waive the rules of the Education and Labor Committee, something Kline argued is an extraordinary step on an issue of this magnitude.
“Health care reform is too important to rush," continued Kline. “We owe it to the American people to develop commonsense, bipartisan solutions that will make health care more affordable and accessible to all."
Tomorrow’s subcommittee hearing on “Examining the Single Payer Health Care Option" will be webcast live on the Education and Labor Committee Republican website.
