On Thursday, President Barack Obama’s pick to head the US healthcare system, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, will go before the Senate Finance Committee where she is expected to receive confirmation.
“I think she should be confirmed,” said committee Chairman Max Baucus.
“Congress is going to need a strong partner at the Department of Health and Human Services to achieve comprehensive health reform this year, and we have that partner in Gov. Sebelius,” Baucus said.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Gov. Sebelius has the political experience, determination, and bipartisan work ethic to get the job done with Congress this year. She’s the right person for the job.”
Sebelius will lead the charge to revamp the current US healthcare system so that coverage is more accessible for all Americans ““ a daunting task that will “will test the political skills of the former Kansas insurance commissioner, a rising star in the Democratic Party,” according to Reuters.
Sebelius said she backs a government-run plan to anyone, while continuing to allow commercial insurers to off their own private plans.
Obama told a health care forum in Washington this month that his plan “gives consumers more choices, and it helps keep the private sector honest because there’s some competition out there.”
Critics of President Obama’s plan say that government intervention will eventually “push out the private insurers, leaving the government option as the only option,” according to the New York Times.
The insurance industry wants a mandate for Americans to purchase private coverage because it would help insurers lower the price of premiums, thus making it more affordable for the sick.
The US spent an estimated $2.2 trillion ““ 7,421 per person ““ on healthcare in 2007. “This comes to 16.2% of GDP, nearly twice the average of other developed nations,” according to a Health and Human Services report earlier this week.
Healthcare costs are projected to rise to 25 percent of GDP in 2025 and 49 percent in 2082, it found.
“As a result of these crushing health care costs, American businesses are losing their ability to compete in the global marketplace. Health care at General Motors puts the company at a $5 billion disadvantage against Toyota, which spends $1,400 less on health care per vehicle.”
“In spite of the vast resources invested, the health care system has not yet reached the goal of high-quality care,” the report said.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa said he was anticipating hearing Sebelius answer for her recent payment of $8,000 in back taxes and interest.
“As has been reported already, you’ve addressed some tax irregularities,” Grassley said. “I take these tax matters very seriously, and I’m eager for you to address those tax matters today.”
In a letter addressed to senators on Tuesday, Sebelius said that the “unintentional errors” were due to charitable contributions, the sale of a home and business expenses.
Grassley said on Wednesday that Sebelius’ tax issues would not lead to him blocking her confirmation.
Tax issues have seemed to haunt those nominated to the position, as previous nominee Sen. Tom Daschle was forced to step down after reports that he owed almost $140,000 in back taxes and interest.
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