Sam Johnson blasts partisan threats of retaliation on health care
Baucus aides warn Democrats not to meet with Republicans

June 11, 2009

In the wake of a Roll Call front-page story, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) blasted partisan threats of retaliation on health care as “politics at its worst” and urged Democrats to work with Republicans to move forward on health care reform.

Today’s Roll Call features an article detailing efforts by aides of Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) telling health care industry representatives not to attend a health care meeting led by Republicans – or else. To read “Baucus Aides Warn K Street” go to http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_144/news/35773-1.html. Specifically, the cover story talks about how Baucus staff warn health care stakeholders that attending a meeting on how to pay for health care reform called by Republican Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) would be viewed by Baucus as a “hostile act.”

“President Obama has repeatedly said he would listen to all sides and work with people on both sides of the aisle who offer ideas and propose solutions on health care. Now, the Finance Committee Chairman has his staff out there doing the dirty work of threatening those who consult with both Democrats and Republicans. That’s just ugly and defines politics at its worst,” said Johnson, who sits on the Health Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee.

“Our Founding Fathers would think it’s dangerous to shut an entire party out of the legislative process – especially on an issue as important as health care,” continued Johnson.

“The Democrats in the House and Senate should work with Republicans to tackle health reform for America. It’s just too important not to get this right. I’m convinced that there is more that unites than divides us and the American public is trusting us to work together to do what is best for our country,” said Johnson. Johnson supports improving access to health insurance for all Americans. Johnson takes issue with a core part of the Democrat’ proposals - a new government-run program that will not only put bureaucrats between patients and doctors, but also could force more than 100 million Americans out of the health coverage they currently receive through their job.

“We need a plan that really does let Americans who like their health care coverage keep it – a plan that doesn’t add new taxes or new mandates that drive up costs and people out of health care coverage. We must give all Americans the freedom to choose their health plan, not force them into a government-run, one-size-fits-all plan,” concluded Johnson.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

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