Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the U.S. can’t afford not to have health reform and that the economy won’t recover if the health care system is not reformed. She also notes that the U.S. should see better results for the amount of money the American people put into health care. (0:35)
By Laura Woodhead – Talk Radio News Service
Although the Senate may not vote on health care until after the August recess, passing reform is still an urgent priority said top Democrats on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) said while it’s unlikely that a bill would be up for debate on the Senate floor before September, the Senate has no excuse to take its time on finding solutions for our nation’s health care problems.
“That does not excuse our committees from doing everything we can during these weeks before the August break, and during the August break to try and meld our ideas and bills together in order so that when we return in September we will be prepared.” Dodd said. “We do not have the luxury of not dealing with this.”
Dodd said that the President’s leadership on health care reform has been strong.
[President Obama] is committed, as committed as any president I have ever seen to a single issue. He has said over and over again that he will expand whatever capital in order to achieve the goal of national health care reform in the nation” Dodd said.
Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) explained that the health care bill is moving slowly through committee because of the multitude of problems being addressed.
“This is probably the hardest legislative lift that any of us will make whether we are here for four years or forty,” said Carper. “If it takes a couple of extra days, a couple of extra weeks or even a couple of extra months its worth the wait.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined the Senators, and stressed that health care reform must help not only Americans who are uninsured, but also those who do already have insurance.
“The current cost curve cannot be sustained by business owners or by families,” Sebelius said. “Those who have health insurance are a day, a week, a month away from losing it.”
Dodd said that there would be a bill on the President’s desk by the end of the year.
“We have a mandate from the American people to address this issue,” he said. “I still believe very strongly that we are going to achieve that goal.”
“I’m willing to wait, spend the time, do it right, but we need to get it done.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius describes the current health care crisis in relation to children. Sebelius adds that through the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, millions of children who are currently uninsured will be able to find coverage. (0:17)
