Wednesday
Jun102009
Priorities Named For The Health And Human Services Budget
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 1:08PM
By Mariko Lamb, Talk Radio News Service
On Tuesday, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department Health and Human Services spoke to the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Eduacation, and Related Agencies about issues concerning her department’s FY 2010 Budget.
According to Sebelius, the Health and Human Services Budget priorities include: health reform, improving oversight over Medicare and Medicaid fraud, improving the quality of healthcare, combating healthcare disparities among U.S. populations, providing funds for the Health Resources and Services Administration and preparing for future outbreaks and pandemics.
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) expressed his concern about PAYGO, a pay-as-you-go program, applying to the Healthcare Reform Bill. According to Alexander, a full analysis of the costs and details of PAYGO must be evaluated before supporting the proposition.
Sebelius and Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) agreed to re-evaluate additional concerns of the committee such as the the effective management of overlapping Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture responsibilities, the use of a previously-tested Senior Care Program, and a strategy to ensure healthcare in rural communities.
On Tuesday, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department Health and Human Services spoke to the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Eduacation, and Related Agencies about issues concerning her department’s FY 2010 Budget.
According to Sebelius, the Health and Human Services Budget priorities include: health reform, improving oversight over Medicare and Medicaid fraud, improving the quality of healthcare, combating healthcare disparities among U.S. populations, providing funds for the Health Resources and Services Administration and preparing for future outbreaks and pandemics.
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) expressed his concern about PAYGO, a pay-as-you-go program, applying to the Healthcare Reform Bill. According to Alexander, a full analysis of the costs and details of PAYGO must be evaluated before supporting the proposition.
Sebelius and Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) agreed to re-evaluate additional concerns of the committee such as the the effective management of overlapping Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture responsibilities, the use of a previously-tested Senior Care Program, and a strategy to ensure healthcare in rural communities.
Prevention Necessary Component Of Health Care Reform, Say Top HHS Officials
A focus on prevention and wellness is key to quality health care reform, according the the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and three top HHS officials participated in a webcast Friday to clarify the Obama administration's health care reform message.
“This is a public health opportunity, not just a physician opportunity. We believe prevention should occur not just between a doctor and a patient and not just at an individual level, but at the family level, the neighborhood level, the community level,” said Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. “Public health and prevention is now a major theme for every person in this country and we all have an investment in it.”
Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, said what seems like simple steps, such as, immunization or counseling for an addiction, can save money in the long-term.
The officials also highlighted aspects that the administration claims are essential to comprehensive health reform including: reducing long-term growth of health care costs, a guaranteed choice of doctors and health plans, improved patient safety and quality of care, affordable quality coverage, and the ability to maintain coverage when you change or lose your job.
“We’re not just focusing on saving costs, but saving lives,” Sebelius said.