March Roskam Meeting
On March 2, 2018, Doctors Hythem Shadid and Lanny Wilson of the DCMS Governmental Affairs Committee, met with Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R - IL 6) in his West Chicago office. Roskam has represented Illinois’ 6th Congressional District since 2007, and currently chairs the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Care.
Asked about the status of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Roskam said, “We can’t stay in the 2017 debate or the 2010 debate. Let’s pose a different question. What are the things we can do together?” In a recent address before an assembly of the American Medical Association, he addressed the current state of health care – where one person’s onerous regulation is another’s patient protection.
Cong. Roskam has family members in the medical profession and reported that during a recent family gathering, a physician relative was sealed away in her room finishing-up charting from patient care earlier in the day. He sees first-hand the problems our profession faces – longer hours and less pay, burdensome regulations, and more – and says he wants to help. He feels that, as chair of the Health Care Subcommittee, he can make a difference.
Another issue discussed was the opioid crisis confronting the nation. Roskam feels that the new U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, is leading the way. In DuPage County, the Heroin Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce has been developed to help solve the problem locally and Roskam offered to assist.
Cong. Roskam indicated that legislation to prevent school shootings might include new ways for family members and law enforcement to work together, allowing courts to temporarily keep guns away from people who show warning signs of potential gun violence. “Bump stocks”, which can make semiautomatic weapons even more deadly, Roskam believes have no legal reason to exist in our country.
Another issue discussed was the opioid crisis confronting the nation. Roskam feels that the new U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, is leading the way. In DuPage County, the Heroin Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce has been developed to help solve the problem locally and Roskam offered to assist.
Cong. Roskam indicated that legislation to prevent school shootings might include new ways for family members and law enforcement to work together, allowing courts to temporarily keep guns away from people who show warning signs of potential gun violence. “Bump stocks”, which can make semiautomatic weapons even more deadly, Roskam believes have no legal reason to exist in our country.