Sebelius And Insurance Industry Head Clash Over Health Care Reform

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) CEO Karen Ignagni offered back to back remarks Wednesday that highlighted the vast differences between how the Obama administration and the insurance industry are viewing the current attempt to reform the U.S. health care system.

Sebelius, who appeared at AHIP's annual conference, suggested that funds used by AHIP for attack ads could be better spent on lowering coverage costs.

"I am hopeful that you can take the assets that you have and the influence ... and use it to start calling for comprehensive reform to pass," said Sebelius. "Instead of spending energy attacking the parts of the proposal that you don't like, come to the table."

Ignagni held a press conference immediately after and took the opportunity to raise concerns that AHIP continues to have with the legislation proposed by Democrats.

"We are committed to bringing everyone into the [health care] system," said Ignagni. "The problem that we have with the current legislation is that we are very concerned that it will make health care more expensive, not more affordable."

Added the CEO, "We have offered very specific proposals [to ensure affordability,]" said Ignagni. "We believe that the legislation needs to be fixed in that area; that it still can be fixed."

Sebelius argued that attacking the Democrat's proposal is a "short-term strategy."

"You can continue the opposition to reform and if you do, and reform fails, I can give you a pretty good prediction of what happens next," Sebelius said. "By next March, premiums will take even a bigger bite out of American's wages, your market will shrink even further [and] more Americans will lose their employer-sponsored insurance."

HHS Giving Non-Profits $10 Million To Help Curb Obesity And Tobacco Use

By Chingyu Wang
Talk Radio News Service

On Friday, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius outlined details of a $10 million grant for non-profit organizations to prevent and control obesity and tobacco use.

In a conference call with reporters, Sebelius presented data showing that in 2007 and 2008, two-thirds of Americans ages 20-74 were either overweight or obese, and that smoking and second-hand smoke remain the number one causes of preventable death in the U.S.

"More than eight million Americans suffer from smoking-related chronic illnesses," Sebelius added.

Sebelius said the Recovery Act funded the Prevention and Wellness Initiative to the tune of $650 million one year ago, adding that HHS has currently developed a new initiative -- Community Putting Prevention to Work -- which focuses on reducing chronic decease and promoting wellness.

The new grant comes on the heels of the launch of First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign, aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

Boehner: Health Care Debate Is Far From Over

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated Thursday that the ongoing debate over health care reform is "far from over," despite indications that Democrats intend to move forward with legislation in the coming weeks.

"This debate is far from over. Republicans are going to continue to stand with the American people against this job killing, massive government takeover of our health care system," said Boehner. "This does not have to become law; They are not there yet."

The Minority Leader also expressed concern over the jobs bill, saying that it was "outrageous" for Democrats to bring the legislation to the floor without proper time for review. He added that he assumes the health care bill might be handled in a similar manner.

The Ohio Democrat also raised the issue of the rising deficit, and charged Obama with not listening to Republican solutions for spending.

"The president has not responded [to the proposal,]" said Boehner. "America is broke. The Democrats' spending binge is mortgaging the future of our kids and grand-kids."

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Is A Failed Policy, Say Democrats

By Chingyu Wang
Talk Radio News Service

Claiming that the policy is not working, a collection of Democrats along with four armed service members gathered on Wednesday to call for the repeal of the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that forbids gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) presented data showing that "over 13,500 service members have been discharged under this policy" due to their sexual orientation.

To Moran, the moral waiver's program isn't comprehensive when it excludes homosexuals from military and unleashes over 4000 convicted felons in the past 3 years.

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) referred to DADT as a policy that is "forcing them [non-heterosexuals] to compromise their characters."

Service Members Legal Defense Network development director David Hall, who was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 2002, said despite the fact that he worked diligently for four years, he was dis-enrolled from an Air Force officer-training school because of his homosexuality.

"[My commander] said, unfortunately we'll have to dis-enroll you due to your homosexual conduct," said Hall, adding DADT means that "they are not going to ask you, you are not going to tell the military, and you should be fine. Well in my case that's not what happened."

Excluding gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military has undermined troop morale said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).

"What undermines morale is not the present of guys and lesbians...but telling them that they are not welcome simply because of their sexual orientations, that they must in fact hide it and live a lie," he said.

Nadler said he and fellow Democrats are trying to include an immediate repeal of DADT in the upcoming defense authorization bill.

Toyota's Business Model Is Broken, Says Transportation Secretary

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Tuesday that Toyota's business model is broken.

“The Toyota recall situation is very serious and we are treating it seriously," LaHood said during an appearance before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “Toyota’s business model is broken,"

Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) echoed LaHood in his criticism of the auto-manufacturer.

“Toyota has not been responsive to their increase [of recalls] and doesn’t seem to take consumer protection as a mission for NHTSA seriously,” said Rockefeller, who added that Toyota would not give adequate responses until approached by U.S. officials either via phone call or through an in person visit to Japan.

LaHood agreed with suggestions from lawmakers that Toyota would benefit from emulating a system used by Nissan to determine when to issue recalls, wherein a three-person group, including one U.S. based safety executive, makes the final decision.

LaHood also agreed that a brake override system would help drivers to control their vehicle during a sudden acceleration episode.

LaHood was joined by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator David Strickland, who received criticism from Sen. Olympia Snowe for not paying enough attention at the beginning of the recall issue, pointing out that 6 deaths in ’04 and 7 deaths in ’07 were attributed to unintended acceleration.

“I don’t see that NHTSA did any of the work necessary to have satisfied an independent analysis,” said Snowe.

Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) noted that Toyota's troubles were part of a larger trend, and cited data from the NHTSA showing that more than 18 million vehicles were recalled in 2000-2001 alone, including cars from General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Hyungdai.

“It is not a Toyota problem, it’s a industry problem,” said Inouye. “We should hear from the industry, not just from Toyota.”