Rep. Cole Calls for Health Care Debate to be Publically Available on C-SPAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement today supporting C-SPAN's request to air coverage of the health care reform negotiations.
"The fact that the Democrat leadership and the Obama White House have decided to negotiate the final version of health care reform without a formal conference committee and with no Republican participation is bad enough. But to do so behind closed doors and without the slightest trace of transparency is unconscionable," Congressman Cole said. "The American people are deeply concerned about a government takeover of their health care system but instead of listening to their concerns, the Democrats are effectively slamming the door in their face."
"President Obama pledged during his campaign that the health care debate would be televised on C-SPAN. The President should honor his pledge and let the media cover these deliberations. If he and his liberal allies in Congress are determined to destroy the health care system in America through a government takeover, they ought to have the courage to do it openly instead of hiding behind closed doors."
###