Gingrich Praises Deal for Remaining in Congress for Health Vote
| For Immediate Release March 5, 2010 |
Susan L. Meyers 404-518-2271 smeyers@gingrichgroup.com |
Deal is seeking the GOP nomination for governor in Georgia this year.
“The stakes are enormous right now in Washington,” Gingrich said. “Nathan is a pro and knows that with the health bill vote looming, it is more important for the people of Georgia for him to be in the United States Capitol than on the campaign trail. Future generations of Georgians and Americans will thank him for that.”
Deal had announced two weeks ago he was going to leave Congress at the end of March. But recent counts in the House show that if there is another vote on health care reform, the number needed for passage would drop to 216. The loss of Deal’s seat would be crucial to Republicans hoping to stop the bill.
The first version of health reform passed the House in November 220-215.
Deal represents Georgia’s 9th congressional district, a district in north Georgia. If he had left his seat, Georgia law would require a special election – one that could not be held in time before the next scheduled votes on health reform.
“A true leader is someone who puts their country before their political future,” Gingrich said. “Congressman Deal is smart enough to know his vote to save one-sixth of the American economy is more important than getting on the campaign trail a few weeks early.”
The Center for Health Transformation has proposed that Congress and President Obama embrace several, smaller pieces of health reform legislation that include civil justice reform, rooting out fraud in Medicare and Medicaid and making it easier for individuals to purchase their own health insurance.
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.
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