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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood |
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Youngblood appointed to national health reform task force
Phila. lawmaker will help frame national health policies as part of White House team
HARRISBURG, June 24 – As members of the state House of Representatives continue to address the issue of improving access to health care in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood, D-Phila., has been asked to join President Barack Obama and a select number of state legislators from across the country in developing national health reforms.
As a member of the "White House Team of State Legislators for Health Reform," Youngblood said she has been active in assisting Obama and his administration as they tackle the health issues facing Pennsylvanians and all Americans. The group has been asked to discuss experiences in developing health-care policies on the state level and share best practices in order to reduce costs and increase access to affordable, quality care.
"Pennsylvania is facing significant issues with regard to access to cost-effective health care," Youngblood said. "But we are not alone in this crisis. Many states across the country are facing similar problems. Having the ability to work together, in conjunction with President Obama and the federal government, is key to developing public policies that will work to reform our current health-care system."
Youngblood, who represents one of the largest cities in the country and also serves as president of the National Foundation of Women Legislators, has asked Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Keith McCall, D-Carbon, and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, to join in her efforts and participate in the task force's discussions.
"Representative Youngblood is a leader not only among her peers in the Pennsylvania House, but also among state legislators across the country," Eachus said. "She will provide a unique perspective as part of this White House task force. I appreciate her foresight in bringing Speaker McCall and myself into these discussions because we are actively involved in addressing health care at the state level in Harrisburg.
"As we move forward with proposals to improve access to affordable care, I will rely on her to be our voice on this task force and use her experiences so that we can lower costs and improve access to care for the people of Pennsylvania."
"When it comes to health care issues, the Pennsylvania legislature is very fortunate to have lawmakers like Rosita Youngblood and Todd Eachus bringing their dedication and nationally-recognized expertise to the table," McCall said.
"There is simply nothing more important than making sure everyone has access to health care, and I appreciate Representative Youngblood bringing Majority Leader Eachus and me into these discussions with the Obama administration so we can finally deliver peace of mind to Pennsylvanians by letting them know they can afford to see a doctor when they get sick, and to deliver economic development by taking the health-care burden off businesses of all sizes. Her leadership will be key to achieving these goals."
Last week, members of the task force were invited to the White House to participate in a face-to-face meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle. Youngblood said she was unable to attend the meeting in person, but participated in a conference call with members of the task force.
"Unfortunately, I was unable to travel to Washington, D.C. last week because the meeting conflicted with my responsibility as a state lawmaker," Youngblood said. "With Pennsylvania facing a $3.2 billion budget deficit and budget negotiations ongoing, it is absolutely critical for me to stay in Harrisburg during this crucial time. But I was able to participate via telephone and remain an active member of this important task force.
"As we in Pennsylvania continue to address the needs of our constituents and seek to improve access to quality care while reducing the overall costs of our health-care system, it is vital that we remain connected with our colleagues across the nation and with the Obama administration so we can develop the best policies to help our most vulnerable citizens," she added. "I am proud to be a part of this task force and look forward to continuing my effort to preserve and improve access to care for all."
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