Next Steps
As stated in the law creating the Working Group, following the submission of the Final Recommendations, the President has 45 days to submit a report to Congress containing additional views and comments on the Recommendations, as well as recommendations for legislative and administrative action that the President deems appropriate.
The statute also requires, no more than 45 days after receiving the President's report, five Congressional Committees to hold at least one hearing on the Final Recommendations and the President's report. Those committees are:
- U. S. Senate Committee on Finance; and
- U. S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions;
- U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means;
- U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce; and
- U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Where do you go from here?
The decisions to be made about how to change our health care system are too important for you to stand on the sidelines.
What can you do?
Turns out, there’s plenty: First, get the facts from the web site, CitizensHealthCare.gov as well as other sources of current information on these subjects. If you haven’t already, read The Health Report to the American People and the Final Recommendations. Think about what’s important to you and why.
Next, speak out about how you want the health care system to change. Let others know what you think. Seek others who share your concerns and share your concerns with them.
The need for ongoing debate does not end with a report to Congress and the President. The health care system needs improvement throughout and you may be able to contribute to its improvement if you are well informed. That’s up to you. After all, it’s your health care system.
With the submission of these recommendations, the Working Group has completed the tasks required of it. Although this web site will remain online until 2008, it will no longer be updated, and the Working Group's offices have been closed.