National Politics

WASHINGTON (CBS News) ― In the Republican response to President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform, Rep. Charles Boustany said "it's time to start over" on his health reform proposals.

"It's clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right," he said following the president's address. "Most Americans wanted to hear the president tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it's time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That's what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents."

The Louisiana Republican, a heart surgeon, also addressed areas where he agreed with the Democrats on health care reform, and where he disagreed.

• Video: President Obama Welcomed Into Congress
• Video: Obama Addresses Congress On Health Care Overhaul

In the Republican response to President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform, Rep. Charles Boustany said "it's time to start over" on his health reform proposals.

"It's clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right," he said following the president's address. "Most Americans wanted to hear the president tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it's time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That's what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents."

The Louisiana Republican, a heart surgeon, also addressed areas where he agreed with the Democrats on health care reform, and where he disagreed.

Boustany said that Republicans and Democrats agree that everyone should have access to coverage including those with preexisting conditions, that individuals and small business should be able to band together to get insurance, that assistance should be provided to those who cannot access a doctor and that there should be incentives for wellness and prevention.

Boustany also praised the president for coming out in favor of some medical liability reform in his speech tonight, something Mr. Obama has not done through much of the debate this year.

"We're grateful the president mentioned medical liability reform, and we hope he's serious," he said. "We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care. Real reform must do this."

But he came out against the government-run component of the plan, otherwise known as the public option.

"The president had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table," Boustany said. "Unfortunately, he didn't do it."

• Slideshow: Obama Makes Health Pitch To Congress
• Analysis: Fact-Checking Obama's Remarks
• Obama Voices Support For Public Option In Speech
• Poll: More Wary Of Obama On Health Care
• Health Care Town Halls Getting Ugly
• RNC Criticism Of Government-Run Health Care Plan 
• White House Touts Key Budget Points Of Health Reform

"I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion," he added. "And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors."

As for other ideas from the Republicans on health care that Mr. Obama does not agree with, he noted one to let families and businesses buy insurance across state lines, something many Republicans have been talking about for years.

Boustany was not the only Republican to immediately weigh in after the speech. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Mr. Obama has "has proven his ability again to speak very well and say very little."

"He continued to try and sell his government-run health care experiment even though it will increase costs, increase taxes and increase the deficit," Steele said in a statement. "He said he wants to work with Republicans, but Nancy Pelosi and liberals in the House have opposed Republicans every step of the way. If the Democrats are serious about passing health care reform this year, they should stop pointing fingers and truly start working with Republicans to pass common-sense bipartisan health care reform that Americans want and deserve."

Here is the full prepared text from Boustany:

"Good evening. I'm Dr. Charles Boustany, and I'm proud to serve the people of Louisiana's Seventh Congressional District. I'm also a heart surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, during which I saw first-hand the need for lowering health care costs.

"Republicans are pleased that President Obama came to the Capitol tonight. We agree much needs to be done to lower the cost of health care for all Americans. On that goal, Republicans are ready - and we've been ready - to work with the President for common-sense reforms that our nation can afford.

"Afford is an important word. Our country is facing many challenges. The cost of health care is rising. Federal spending is soaring. We're piling huge debt on our children. And families and small businesses are struggling through a jobless recovery, with more than 2.4 million private-sector jobs lost since February.

"It's clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right. Most Americans wanted to hear the President tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it's time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That's what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents.

"Replacing your family's current health care with government-run health care is not the answer. In fact, it'll make health care much more expensive. That's not just my personal diagnosis as a doctor or a Republican; it's the conclusion of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office - the neutral scorekeeper that determines the cost of major bills.

"I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion. And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors.

"The President had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table. Unfortunately, he didn't do it.

"We can do better, with a targeted approach that tackles the biggest problems. Here are four important areas where we can agree, right now:

"One, all individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.

"Two, individuals, small businesses and other groups should be able to join together to get health insurance at lower prices, the same way large businesses and labor unions do.

"Three, we can provide assistance to those who still cannot access a doctor.

"And, four, insurers should be able to offer incentives for wellness care and prevention - something particularly important to me. I operated on too many people who could have avoided surgery if they'd simply made healthier choices earlier in life.

"We do have ideas the President hasn't agreed with. We're grateful the President mentioned medical liability reform, and we hope he's serious. We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care. Real reform must do this.

"Let's also talk about letting families and businesses buy insurance across state lines. I and many other Republicans believe that that will provide real choice and competition to lower the cost of health insurance. Unfortunately, the President disagrees.

"You can read more about all these reforms at healthcare.gop.gov. These are common-sense reforms we can achieve right away - without destroying jobs, exploding the deficit, rationing care, or taking away the freedom American families cherish.

"This Congress can pass meaningful reform soon to reduce some of the fear and anxiety families are feeling in these very difficult times. Working together in a bipartisan way, we can truly lower the cost of health care while improving quality for the American people.

"I'm Dr. Charles Boustany. Thanks for listening."

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)