Dean Calls For Transparency For Health Care Bill

October 27, 2009

With Congressional Democrats writing their health care bill behind doors in the dark of night this week, Congressman Heller called for adding some sunlight to the process by ensuring members of Congress and the public have at least 72 hours to review the proposal before Congress votes on it:

U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said Thursday he hopes the House leadership that is putting together a health-care reform bill will agree to a 72-hour cooling off period for the lawmakers and public to look at the proposal before a vote.

"No one is going to know what the legislation will look like when it comes out of the House leadership offices," said the congressman, who said he doesn’t know if the leadership will look at the House versions already out of committee or consider proposed amendments.

"I don’t know if they will combine them or rewrite it, but it is imperative we have the 72-hour process," Heller said, adding that he at least hopes they post the bill on the Internet. At least the media could interpret the bill for the public, he said. …

Heller also said he disagrees with the House leadership working behind closed doors on health-care legislation.

"I think that’s wrong," he said, adding that he would like to see the leadership and committee chairs hold a public hearing.

Heller said the House Ways and Means Committee that he sits on started a hearing last week, and the 72-hour provision came up there. The Democrats closed the meeting within 10 minutes, he said.