Washington, DC – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today called for an end to the intimidation tactics and unilateralism Congressional Democrats are reportedly using to rush through unprecedented government-control of health care.

“I am deeply concerned about the Democrat Majority’s attempts to silence the concerns of physicians and health care representatives as they hastily craft the most sweeping health care overhaul in our nation’s history,” said Sessions.

Last month, Roll Call reported that the Majority has made clear that representatives of patients and physicians “who want to be involved in health care reform going forward need to keep their complaints to themselves.” (Anna Palmer, “K Street Told to Hold Fire on Health Care,” Roll Call, 05/20/09)

Additionally, Roll Call reported today that Congressional Democrats have warned health care representatives that their clients meeting with Republicans about heath care will be viewed as public opposition: “‘They said, “Republican are having this meeting and you need to let all of your clients know if they have someone there, that will be viewed as a hostile act,”’ said a Democratic lobbyist who attended the meeting” with Majority representatives. (David Drucker, Anna Palmer, Kate Ackley, “Baucus Aides Warn K Street,” Roll Call, 06/11/09)  

“America’s health care delivery system is at a crossroad, and Washington is now the focal point for its reform,” stated Sessions. “Unfortunately, Democrats are resorting to bullying to advance their radical plan towards socialized medicine, showing little regard for the opinions of patients, physicians, health care representatives, or Minority Members of Congress.”

Democrats’ unilateralism stands in stark contrast to President Obama’s claim: “[M]y hope is that working in a bipartisan fashion we are going to be able to get a health care reform bill on my desk before the end of the year…” (President Obama, Town hall Meeting, Arnold, MO, 04/29/09).

“The 100 million Americans represented by Republican Members of Congress deserve a voice in the future of their personal health care options.  I call on Congressional Democrats to end their dictatorial and partisan behavior and work with patients, physicians, health care representatives and Members of Congress from all backgrounds to produce health care reform that is affordable, portable, and above all, patient-centered,” Sessions concluded. 

###

Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com