Cincinnati, OH – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today argued for strong doctor-patient relationships in healthcare reform, as opposed to a “one-size-fits-all” system supported by the Democratic participants.

 

“Patients need better choices when it comes to their healthcare decisions, and I saw this everyday as a surgeon,” Boustany said. “Ensuring Americans have reliable, timely access to their physicians must be the foundation for healthcare reform. Patients don’t need the long waiting lines and restricted choices that come from government-run system advocated by some liberal Democrats.”

Today’s debate highlighted various proposals to improve access, quality and affordability for all Americans. Boustany, a former thoracic surgeon, joined Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) and Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ). On the other side, the four Democrats were Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA).

 

The debate was hosted by the House Democratic Caucus and the House Republican Conference, in cooperation with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the Democratic Leadership Council, and the Congressional Institute.

 

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