A Conversation with Congressman Burgess (R-TX)

Just prior to John McCain’s acceptance speech, myself along with several bloggers had an informal Q&A with U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX). The topic of discussion was the McCain platform on health care.

According to the information provided by McCain’s website one of the innovative features will be a reformation of the tax code in order to offer citizens a wider choice in health care outside of job related health insurance:

John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit – effectively cash – of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.

Congressman Burgess Bio:

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., a resident of Lewisville, worked as a doctor in Denton County for over 21 years. A respected physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Lewisville, Dr. Burgess delivered more than 3000 babies in North Texas before heading to Congress in 2003.

Since his election in 2002, Congressman Michael Burgess has made amazing strides in pushing legislative priorities including modernizing America’s health care system, building a strong defense, protecting our Homeland, cutting wasteful government spending, reforming the tax code, and making America energy self-sufficient.

First elected in 2002, Congressman Burgess served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Government Reform and Science Committees during his first term.

Re-elected in 2004 and 2006, Congressman Michael Burgess serves as a member of the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee which is one of only three exclusive committees in the House of Representatives. Congressman Burgess sits on four subcommittees: Health, Energy, Oversight and Investigations, and Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The Congressman was kind enough to entertain our questions in a relatively quiet area of the Media Filing Center. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Burgess for finding time in his busy schedule to discuss the McCain healthcare platform.

Congressman Burgess discusses how many days Congress will be in session for the rest of the 2008.