WASHINGTON DC - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced today that Cong. Charles Boustany (R-LA) will deliver a Republican address following the Presidents speech to a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday September 9th.
Boustany a doctor with more than 20 years of medical experience has long advocated for reforms that lower health care costs for all Americans and believes that maintaining the doctor-patient relationship must be a critical component of any proposal.
Dr. Boustany has been a tireless advocate for reform that lowers health care costs and expands access for the American people at a price our nation can afford" Boehner said. He understands why a Washington bureaucrat as Democrats have proposed should never get between a doctor and his patient. Im pleased Charles has agreed to speak to the American people about a Republican vision for reform and the need for both parties to come together to craft a responsible proposal at a time when people across the country are focused on jobs."
Earlier this year Boehner asked Boustany to reach out to Congressional Democrats to find a bipartisan approach to health care reform. Despite Boustanys efforts Democrats refused to work with him and other Republicans on a responsible proposal that the American people could support.
As a doctor I know we must lower costs and improve care which we can accomplish by focusing on strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and working in a bipartisan way" said Boustany. Health care is a kitchen table issue that affects all Americans and I believe we need an honest discussion about how we come together to fix whats broken while building on what works. Thats why Im pleased the President will speak to Congress tomorrow night and I look forward to presenting commonsense reforms that Republicans and all Americans can stand behind."
Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr. M.D. a cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience was first elected to Congress in December 2004. Serving his third term in office Boustany represents Louisianas Seventh Congressional District which covers Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana.
As a physician Congressman Boustany understands the importance of healthcare and is at the forefront of healthcare policy in Congress. He believes the doctor-patient relationship is the most important part of healthcare and has worked to implement patient-centered healthcare solutions.
Boustany is a member of House Ways and Means Committee with jurisdiction over tax trade healthcare and entitlement policy. He is currently the only Republican doctor on the committee.
Congressman Boustany was raised in Lafayette LA and graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1982. He returned to Lafayette in 1990 and began a successful medical practice. For fourteen years he ran a small business and committed to helping others by providing the highest quality healthcare to his patients and the community. In Congress Congressman Boustany is committed to serving the people of Southwest Louisiana with the same dedication and care that he provided as a physician and community leader.
Current Official Responsibilities:
2005-pres.: Member of the United States Congress representing the Seventh District of Louisiana; Serves on Ways and Means Committee; Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Oversight Member of Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support;
Prior Professional Responsibilities:
1996-2004: Lafayette General Medical Center Board of Directors
1990-2004: Cardio-thoracic Surgeon Private Practice
Other Selected Organizational/Institutional Affiliations:
- House Republican Health Task Force
- House Republican Doctors Caucus
- House Doctors Caucus
Education:
1988-1990: University of Rochester; Chief Resident of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
1982-1988: Louisiana State University Division Charity Hospital General Surgical Resident
1978-1982: Louisiana State University School of Medicine Graduated with Doctorate of Medicine Urban Maes Award for Excellence in Surgery
1974-1978: University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette) Graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry
