Spring Legislative Day
Apr 29, 2009
Our Spring Legislative Conference began with U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, M.D. (D-WA), providing his perspective on health care reform. Congressman McDermott is a psychiatrist, with a long record of service in Congress and the Washington state legislature. He also serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA), spoke to us about his concerns regarding a single-payer health care system. Dr. Gingrey previously served as a leader in the Georgia state legislature, delivered more than 5,000 babies as an OB-GYN, and has worked closely with AAPI members in Georgia.
The American Jewish Committee represented by Mr. Nissim B. Reuben, Mr. Jim Busis, and Mr. Richard Foltin discussed the growing partnership between Jewish and Indian Americans. We were then honored by the discussion led by Mr. Nicholas Rathod, one of the highest-ranking Indian Americans serving in the White House under President Barack Obama. Mr. Rathod is an attorney, who has been a second-generation leader in the areas of community activism and civil rights. He currently serves as Associate Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
U.S. Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), gave an impassioned speech to us, in between votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. He spoke about Governor Bobby Jindal's leadership in his home state of Louisiana and about the concerns he had over the Administration's health care reforms. He previously served as an assistant professor of medicine, operated a community health care clinic for more than twenty years that provided free heath care to the uninsured, and was a leader in the Louisana state legislature. U.S. Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), made brief remarks as well in between floor votes. He has served nearly twenty years in Congress and is the current co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. He expressed a desire to work more closely with AAPI members in the future.
We concluded our conference with a presentation by attorney T.C. Roberge, a senior congressional affairs specialist at the American Medical Association (AMA), who discussed pending health care legislation in Congress, and Mr. Patrick Moon, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Congressman John Fleming, M.D. (R-LA) also came to our conference, but had to leave prior to speaking, due to a national media interview he was scheduled to do.
The evening reception was attended by 160 people and we were honored that India's Ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar, attended our reception. Sixteem Members of Congress joined us, including:
U.S. Rep. Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA)
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, M.D. (R-GA)
U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN)
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY)
U.S. Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI)
U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC)
U.S. Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY)
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO)
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK)
U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC)
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)
The importance of our presence on Capitol Hill is needed now more than ever as President Obama has pledged to reform the national healthcare system in the coming year. Please continue to visit our website for future updates and to learn more about how you can take part in AAPI's Legislative efforts. We would like to thank AAPI's new Legislative Director, Mr. Dino Teppara, Esq., who was instrumental in making the arrangements for Legislative Day.