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President Barack Obama stands with health care professionals as he speaks about health care reform yesterday in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Local doctor Christopher Lillis (far right) was one of those on the podium.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Dr. Renee Jenkins, as Christopher Lillis (left) and Stephen Hanson look on. The president spoke at the White House about health care reform and said he wants legislation passed soon. |
BY JIM HALL
Dr. Christopher Lillis stood with President Obama on the podium in the East Room of the White House yesterday.
Lillis, a local internist, describes himself as an "enthusiastic supporter" of the president and anxious to see his health care reforms enacted.
"It was a real honor to be so nearby while President Obama was laying out the path to passing this reform," Lillis said.
Doctors for America, a grass-roots lobby organization that Lillis has been active in, recommended him to the White House staff. He received an invitation Monday night to attend the ceremony.
Dressed in lab coat and stethoscope, Lillis was one of six doctors who stood with the president during his 20-minute speech. Obama told invited guests that it was time to end the health care debate and vote on the proposed reforms.
Lillis said afterward that he is optimistic that the package will pass.
"There's a clear path forward," he said. "The Senate has passed a bill. The House needs only to pass the Senate version. Through reconciliation they can pass a patch to help reconcile the differences."
Lillis said he supports the major provisions of the bill, which include new state-run insurance markets, subsidies for the poor to help them buy coverage, requirements that people be insured and new taxes, fees and regulations.
"I think you're going to see health insurance more secure and more available, and that's going to provide for healthier families," Lillis said.
Lillis, 35, has worked at Chancellor Internal Medicine off State Route 3 in Spotsylvania County for about 1 years. He graduated from Georgetown University Medical Center and did his residency at Duke University School of Medicine. He and his wife, Amy, live in Fredericksburg.
Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Email: jhall@freelancestar.com
