I strongly support universal health care, and I will be one of those working with you to make universal health care a reality. There are many bills such as HR 676 that propose solutions to our health care crisis. Any worthwhile effort to bring meaningful, comprehensive reform to our nation’s health care system will have sweeping ramifications and encounter difficult challenges. Given the importance and complexity of this issue, I feel it is my responsibility to learn as much as I can about each individual proposal and discuss the impacts with the people of my district, before I sign onto specific pieces of legislation.

This year, as a new Member of Congress, I have already made health care reform a top priority in my district. During my first six months in office, I have held more meetings on health care than on any other topic. I recently hosted a public forum in Poughkeepsie specifically focused on universal health care, featuring nationally recognized speakers. One of the presentations was on HR 676, to help inform residents of my district about the details of this important legislative proposal.

I urge everyone to continue to push hard for change, to talk with your friends and neighbors as well as Members of Congress about the importance of universal health care to the future of our country, and not to give up until we bring down the spiraling cost of health care and make it available to all.

Mr. Conyers deserves acclamation for his leadership on this issue that he’s been working on for years while too many members of Congress were ignoring the health care crisis and delivering record profits to the insurance and drug industries. I think he’s come up with a pioneering, comprehensive piece of legislation that warrants serious consideration.