Citizens' Health Care Working Group

The Citizens' Health Care Working Group was created by Congress as "part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, which became Public Law 108-173, Sec. 1014.

"Congress created the task force when it established a drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries." 

The fourteen Working Group members were selected in February 2005 by Comptroller General of the United States David M. Walker. "By law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) served as the 15th member." 

Hearings and Community Meetings
The Working Group was "to hold hearings and community meetings across the country on health care coverage and cost issues." 

Questions
"The Working Group asked citizens to give their answers to four vital questions:


 * What health care benefits and services should be provided?
 * How does the American public want health care delivered?
 * How should health care coverage be financed?
 * What trade-offs are the American public willing to make in either benefits or financing to ensure access to affordable, high-quality health care coverage and services?

Reports
In October 2005, the Working Group issued the 'Health Report to the American People'. The report was updated in September 2006.

Recommendations
Interim recommendations were released by the Working Group on June 2, 2006. As required, on September 29, 2006, the Working Group submitted its Final Recommendations to Congress and President George W. Bush within two years from the February 2005 appointments. 

Selected Members of Working Group
Links to profiles for Working Group members are here.


 * Patricia A. Maryland, Chair
 * Richard G. Frank, Vice Chair


 * Frank J. Baumeister, Jr.
 * Dorothy A. Bazos
 * Montye S. Conlan
 * Joseph T. Hansen
 * Therese A. Hughes
 * Brent C. James
 * Randall L. Johnson
 * Mike Leavitt
 * Catherine G. McLaughlin
 * Rosario Perez
 * Aaron Shirley
 * Deborah R. Stehr
 * Christine L. Wright

Working Group Staff
A list of Working Group Staff and Partners is found here.


 * George F. Grob, Executive Director

Contractors and Consultants

 * Contractors
 * AmericaSpeaks
 * Edelman
 * Neighborhood America
 * Public Forum Institute


 * Consultants
 * Jon Comola
 * Marcia Comstock
 * Jack Molnar
 * Joy Quill

Supporting Organizations
Organizations who supported the Working Group in its task are cited here.

Legislative Sponsors
The following are cited as legislative sponsors here.


 * Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) - Legislation co-sponsor
 * Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) - Legislation co-sponsor

U.S. House of Representatives

 * Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa)
 * Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)
 * Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.)
 * Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.)
 * Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.)
 * Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.)
 * Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.)
 * Rep. Mark Udall (D-Col.)

U.S. Senate

 * Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
 * Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.)
 * Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah)
 * Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.)
 * Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)
 * Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.)
 * Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.)
 * Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa)
 * Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)
 * Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah)
 * Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.)
 * Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.)
 * Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.)
 * Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Col.)
 * Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)
 * Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)

Local and State Officials

 * Montana Lt. Governor John Bohlinger (R)
 * Sioux Falls, S.D. Mayor Dave Munson
 * Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Contact Information
Website: http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov/

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * universal health care