Washington, DC – As Congress looks to enact comprehensive health care reform, leaders of the New Democrat Coalition today praised efforts in the private sector and on Capitol Hill to forge consensus on a reform proposal. The announcement came amidst reports that Families USA, a non-profit advocacy group for consumers of family health care, and the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), had struck a deal agreeing to jointly advocate on behalf of expanding Medicaid coverage to all adults at 133% of the federal poverty level. House Democratic Leadership is also pursuing a unified approach to reform through the various committees of jurisdiction and strategic outreach to Member coalitions.

“I applaud the announcement of this consensus strategy, and I hope it serves as an example for all the stakeholders engaged in this debate,” said New Dem Whip Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-7). “Real reform is needed to strengthen and expand the accessibility of our health care system. The New Dems are committed to finding the common ground that will bring about consensus in the effort to fix our nation’s health care system once and for all.”

“We must find common-ground and build consensus among business and advocates in order to address the needed reforms to our healthcare system. I applaud this important step by Families USA and PhRMA,” said U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), co-chair of the New Dems Health Care Task Force.

While the New Democrats have not taken a position in support of the compromise, leaders of the Coalition have been supportive of increased cooperation among health care stakeholders and attempts to find common ground in Congress. The Coalition is actively engaged in health care reform through its Health Care Task Force and is currently developing principles that should be included in any comprehensive bill that comes out of Congress.

Other strategic partnerships have been forming, such as Divided We Fail, a coalition that includes business, labor, and consumer groups to help build consensus amongst stakeholders and avoid pitfalls that have stalled previous reform efforts. These actions complement those by New Democrats in the House, who earlier this year sent a letter to House Leadership reiterating their strong support for regular order and called for employing bipartisanship to help enact a progressive agenda that meets the needs of the American people.

“Health care reform is a bipartisan issue requiring that we come together now - not only as a government, but as these influential organizations have shown, as a country - to effectively reform our system and provide affordable coverage to the families and individuals that need it,” said New Dem Vice-Chair Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03).

“Americans know from personal and often tragic experience that the costs and inefficiencies in our health care system are mounting,” said Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09). “We must improve access to care while controlling costs. The partnership announced yesterday reflects the urgency and necessity for reforms. The private sector is coming together to support health care reforms and lawmakers from both parties must now do the same.
The New Democrat Coalition, always leaders on the economy and innovation, is committed to enacting policies that maintain U.S. competitiveness, meet the challenges posed by globalization in the 21st Century and strengthen our national security. The NewDem Coalition is dedicated to providing the leadership necessary to implement policies that will ensure that America maintains its prosperity and global leadership.

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