Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Jo Ann is the Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee and also sits on the Agriculture Subcommittee and Legislative Branch Subcommittee. She believes her extensive involvement in economic development and rural policy issues enables her to serve her constituents to the best of her abilities.

After earning a B.A. in political science from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1972, Jo Ann pursued an active career in public affairs and grassroots communications. In her professional career, Jo Ann has served as the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Insurance Association, as Director of State Relations and Grassroots Programs for the small-business oriented National Restaurant Association, and as Deputy Communications Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Rural Healthcare Access

Rep. Emerson has been a leading advocate for healthcare access, particularly in rural parts of the country.  Rep. Emerson joined with Reps. Cathy McMorris and Bobby Rush in introducing the 340B Improvement Act – a bill that would reduce hospital prescription drug expenses and enhance patient care.

Emerson’s legislation would improve and enhance the critical 340B program.  Congress originally established the 340B program in 1992. This program ensures safety net hospitals, community health centers and other providers can best use federal resources to meet the needs of their communities by providing discounted prescription drug prices to outpatients in areas marked by underserved populations.

“In rural parts of the country, 340B can play a crucial role to expand access to health care,” Emerson said. “Our hospitals have limited resources, they can be few and far between, and yet they are absolutely essential to health in our communities. They are a vital presence for the families in rural America, we have to keep that provider-patient relationship intact.”

Balanced Budgets

“One of the most important responsibilities of the Congress is to work hard for shared priorities on behalf of the people we represent,” Emerson said. “Federal deficits and runaway spending ultimately do harm to the economy and to the legacy of freedom Americans want to pass on to the next generation. That is why the focus of this House of Representatives is on finding a sustainable path forward, preserving important functions of government and eliminating those that overreach, are inefficient, or have become unnecessary.”

Emerson voted for and supports a Constitutional balanced budget amendment. “The path to responsible government requires fiscal discipline. Until we have a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, however, Congress must continue to reduce spending, protect taxpayers and aggressively conduct oversight of the administration,” Emerson said.

As chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Rep. Emerson wrote legislation cutting 17 percent from the agencies under her jurisdiction over 2010 spending levels. Her bill came in at nearly 25 percent less than President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2012.