HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, May 14, 2009 - House Republican leaders sent a letter to President Obama requesting a meeting with him to discuss areas for potential common ground on health care reform and to discuss the efforts of the House GOP Solutions Group on Health Care Reform, which is at work on House Republicans’ plans on the issue. 

“Despite our differences on some important health care-related issues, we are convinced there are areas offering potential for common ground on health care reform among Republicans and Democrats,” wrote the leaders.

The leaders outlined a series of principles on which Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the Administration, can find common ground as work continues on health care reform legislation, including:

- Making quality health care coverage affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.

- Letting Americans who like their health care coverage keep it, and giving all Americans the freedom to choose the health plan that best meets their needs.

- Improving Americans’ lives through effective prevention, wellness, and disease management programs, while developing new treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases. 

“We believe it is possible, and necessary, to achieve these objectives through common sense reforms without rationing care, eliminating employer-sponsored health benefits for working families, raising taxes, or empowering government bureaucrats at the expense of patients and doctors,” the leaders continued.  “Accordingly, we respectfully request a meeting with you to discuss areas for potential common ground on health care reform.  Our hope is that such a dialogue will lay the groundwork for an honest debate and open process that will culminate in enactment this year of significant and truly bipartisan health care reform legislation.”