House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rhode Island Representative Kennedy fielded questions on the nation’s health care system today, during a visit to Middletown’s Child & Family center.

The head of the US House joined Rhode Island Representatives Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin, for a visit to Middletown, focusing on economic and energy innovations.

Newport County’s new “green” Child & Family center – which brings various family services under one roof – was one stop on a tour of Aquidneck Corporate Park, which is home to Rhode Island’s largest cluster of defense technology and small businesses.

The focus of yesterday’s tour was on business, social service and government sites that have benefited from federal funds, grants, and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Funding for Child & Family, specifically, had been secured by Congressman Kennedy.

Reporters at the center also took the opportunity to solicit Pelosi’s thoughts on health care reform.

“The health care reform that we put forth will lower cost – lower cost for the individual, lower cost for businesses, so that they can be competitive, lower cost for government … [It] will be paid for by squeezing as much savings out of the system as we can, and then to complement that with a revenue stream,” said Pelosi, of House plans for reform.

“It will be revenue neutral, and it will bring down the deficit.”

Pelosi also said the House’s plan will include a public option: “As the President has said, a public option is the best way he knows how to keep the private sector honest, and to keep real competition out there. If anyone can come up with a better idea, put it on the table.”

Meanwhile, Congressman Kennedy responded to a question about his recent return to Capitol Hill, and his first trip back to Rhode Island after taking time off in Maryland: “I’ve been received well. As I pointed out here when taking the speaker around, there is much work to do. I’ve been very proud of the work that I’ve done to support many of these firms that we visited today, in addition to this family services building that we’re in right now.”

Kennedy continued: “I look forward to being judged on my effectiveness as a representative for this district. Ultimately that is the final measuring stick for any Congressperson is their ability to get things done.”

The Rhode Island Congressman also said he’s working on making sure that preventive measures, with respect to mental health care, are included in the National Health Reform Bill. He said these measures will be crucial to ensuring savings for the average consumer, and an equitable health care system.

“I’m really happy to be here, at this time, during this important debate over health care,” said Kennedy.