BAUCUS, OBAMA MOVING FORWARD WITH HEALTH CARE REFORM

Senator at the White House to Discuss Comprehensive Legislation

June 2, 2009

(Washington D.C.)- Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus met with President Barack Obama and other Senate leaders today to discuss health care reform as Baucus gears up to introduce comprehensive health care reform legislation.

Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee is leading the charge for health care reform. Joining Baucus at the meeting today were members of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee- the panels that share jurisdiction over health care.

Baucus has repeatedly said health care reform is his top priority, a sentiment echoed by the president at the meeting.

“President Obama and I are on the same page,” Baucus said. “We both know health care reform is the key to economic recovery. It was great to hear him reaffirm that health care is his top priority and that he is going to do everything in his power to help ensure we pass meaningful reform. We are going to get this done.”

In a separate meeting at the White House earlier in the day, Baucus met with several of Obama’s top economic advisors, to discuss the economic impact of health care reform.

The economic advisors included; Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag, Director of the White House Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House's National Economic Council Larry Summers and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer.

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