For Immediate Release
Oct. 14, 2009
CHT Launches “Right to Know Petition”
Asks Congress to Disclose Healthcare Bill Prior to Vote
ATLANTA – The Center for Health Transformation today called on Congress to give Americans at least three days or the equivalent of 72 hours to read the pending health care legislation before the U.S. Senate prior to a vote by the full Senate later this month.
With no bill currently available to the public, CHT asked Americans to sign its “Right to Know” petition calling on Congress to post the latest version of the health care reform bill on the web before another vote is scheduled.
Those who agree that the legislation should be made available at least 72 hours prior to a vote should sign the Center’s online petition at: http://www.healthtransformation.net/cs/right_to_know_petition
“In a democracy, government doesn’t operate in dark rooms to pass laws – especially ones that are so personal to each and every one of us,” said Nancy Desmond, CEO of the Center. “If Congress wants to win the confidence of the American people, it will make this plan available on the internet and within three days of each vote.”
Newt Gingrich, founder of the Center, said Americans agree with Senators Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas), Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Bill Nelson (D-Florida), Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut) and Jim Webb (D-Virginia) that Washington policy-makers should require that a complete copy of any bill or legislation, along with Congressional Budget Office scoring, be posted online for citizen review at least 72 hours prior to any vote being taken.
The Senate Finance Committee approved health care reform this week without making the bill available to the public. The full Senate is expected to take up the proposal before the end of October. Final passage is expected in both chambers before Thanksgiving.
After town hall meetings in congressional districts throughout the country, Americans have become very interested in health reform and want more information before their Congressman or U.S. Senator votes on legislation, Desmond said.
“In a democratic republic, people want to have an opportunity to see what’s on the drawing board and then contact their elected officials to let them know how they would like them to vote,” she said. “Congress should not attempt to slip this through in the dark of night. The public will not stand for it. There must be complete transparency.”
The Center will tally the number of Americans signing its online petition and offer regular updates.
For more information, or to schedule an interview with Nancy Desmond, please contact Susan Laccetti Meyers at 404-518-2271 or by e-mail at slmeyers@comcast.net
About the Center for Health Transformation (CHT)
The Center for Health Transformation is a high-impact collaboration of private and public sector leaders committed to creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System that saves lives and saves money for all Americans. CHT is based on the following premise: Small changes or reactionary fixes to separate pieces of the current system have not and will not work. We need a system-wide transformation. Unlike other alliances, CHT unites stakeholders across the spectrum (providers, employers, vendors, trade associations, disease groups, think tanks) and government leaders at both the state and federal level to drive transformation according to a shared vision and key principles.
