WASHINGTON, DC - The Committee on Ways and Means today welcomed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to a hearing on health reform in the 21st Century. This was Secretary Sebelius’ first appearance before a congressional committee following her recent swearing in as HHS Secretary. During the hearing Secretary Sebelius reaffirmed President Obama’s commitment to work with Congress to reform America’s health care system.
“We welcome Secretary Sebelius before the Committee, wish to express our great pleasure that she was selected to guide us through one of the most historic and meaningful issues before Congress today - making certain that all Americans have access to affordable health care," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). “Secretary Sebelius’ lifelong dedication to public service, and the talents that she has acquired over years of working with both parties on legislation and various programs, will prove invaluable as we try to achieve the goals that President Obama has set out for us."
Secretary Sebelius remarked on how the marketplace run by private insurers is broken and in need of reform:
"I know there`s a lot of talk about not having bureaucrats make health decisions, but I think it`s equally important not to have private insurance companies make health decisions, overruling protocol recommended by health providers. And part of health reform is to change those underlying rules, to have major insurance reform along with this effort."
Secretary Sebelius asserted that the choice of a public health insurance plan is necessary in health reform:
"Having an option for individuals; having a choice for the Americans who don`t currently have coverage; and having competition to drive the best practices, the best cost efficiencies, the best protocol; I think can be very positive in the long run."
Secretary Sebelius also rebutted Republican attacks on the choice of a public health insurance plan:
"I can assure you that those two principles - Americans keeping their health coverage if it is satisfactory and serves them and their families well, and having a choice within an insurance exchange for a public plan option - are not mutually exclusive. It isn`t either-or."
