John Kline Discusses Health Care Reform at Town Hall Meeting With 900 Minnesotans

BURNSVILLE - In the wake of the President's remarks on health care reform to a rare joint session of Congress, Congressman John Kline hosted a live town hall meeting Friday attended by approximately 900 Minnesotans at the Lakeville South High School.

"I have spent a lot of time the past six weeks meeting with workers, small business owners, health care professionals, and hardworking families from rural and suburban Minnesota," Congressman Kline said. "What I have heard echoes what my colleagues are hearing from Americans all across our great nation - a sense of uncertainty about the health care legislation moving through Congress like a runaway freight train."

With the exception of one question about his leadership against pork-barrel spending in Washington, Congressman Kline answered about 25 questions on health care reform from the audience. In response, he outlined bipartisan principles for health care reform that could win support from lawmakers from across the political spectrum:

* A pre-existing condition should not prevent you from attaining affordable coverage.

* Dependents should be able to remain on their parent's insurance policies until the age of 25 - reducing the number of uninsured Americans by as many as 7 million individuals.

* Allow employers to officer incentives for making health lifestyle decisions - such as quitting Enable self-employed individuals to deduct their health car expenditures.

* Allow states, small businesses, and others to band together to offer health insurance with the same low rates currently available to large companies.

* Put an end to frivolous medical liability litigation that drives up the cost of health care.

"If we hit the reset button, sat down with a blank piece of paper, and started with these principles, I am confident Republicans and Democrats could create a plan that would have the support of the American people," Congressman Kline said.

Individuals who were unable to attend the town hall meeting but would like to share a question or concern with Congressman Kline can call his district office at (952) 808-1213. Constituents are encouraged to share their thoughts on health care reform by completing an online survey at http://kline.house.gov/survey.

In his fourth term in Congress, Congressman Kline is the Senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, one of the three committees that have jurisdiction over the current health care proposal. He is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee.