Daschle Nominated to Lead HHS, Asks Americans for
Health Care Input Online
Key position for health care reform and important to key programs for
senior citizens Medicare and Medicaid
Dec. 11, 2008 - Tom Daschle is "known for speaking
softly but acting boldly," President-elect Barack Obama said today in
announcing the former Senate Majority Leader as his choice for Secretary
of the Department of Health and Human Services and Director of the new
White House Office on Health Reform. Daschle, who will head the agency
that includes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
immediately asked Americans to give him input about health care Online.
In his remarks, Secretary-designate Daschle
appealed to Americans to play an active role in health reform by signing
up to lead a health care discussion -- a series of meetings everyday
people are hosting, in which they'll gather ideas and report back to the
Transition's Health Policy Team. The team will then incorporate the
results into its recommendations for the Obama-Biden administration.
After a year of preparation by panel, Senators Call
to Action details policy options, goals for reform; draws backing of
Center for Medicare Advocacy
He said it's up ordinary Americans to "share their
ideas about whats broken and how to fix it" by leading a health care
discussion.
"The President-elect and I are committed to an open
and inclusive process for health reform that goes from the grassroots
up," he said. "Ill be attending some of these discussions, seeing the
ideas generated by others, and look forward to reporting back to you on
what we find."
Hospice,
Palliative Care Urge Members to Provide Input
The need
for people to tell their stories is one that weve longed
championed as part of our grassroots advocacy work in the
hospice community, said J. Donald Schumacher, president/CEO of
NHPCO and NFH. There is no better way to understand the
healthcare needs of our nation than by hearing the stories from
concerned citizens.
Daschle is
asking Americans to help with reform efforts by sharing their
healthcare experiences and concerns. Recommendations that the
transition team will provide to the new administration will
include some of the information provided by the American public.
Senator Daschle emphasized that reforming the
system is not just essential for the health of individuals, but for the
health of the economy.
"Addressing our health care challenges will not
only mean healthier and longer lives for millions," he said.
"It will
also make American companies more competitive, address the cause of half
our personal bankruptcies and foreclosures, and help pull our economy
out of its current tailspin...That's why it's so exciting."
"Tom brings more than just great expertise to this
task. He brings the respect he earned during his years of leadership in
Congress," President-elect Obama said in the press conference announcing
the nomination.
"He knows how to build consensus across the aisle. And
he has the trust of folks from every angle of this issue: doctors,
nurses and patients; workers and businesses; hospitals and consumer
groups -- all of whom will have a seat at the table as we work on this
vital issue."
Dec. 11, 2008 - Tom Daschle is "known for speaking
softly but acting boldly," President-elect Barack Obama said today in
announcing the former Senate Majority Leader as his choice for Secretary
of the Department of Health and Human Services and Director of the new
White House Office on Health Reform. Daschle, who will head the agency
that includes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
immediately asked Americans to give him input about health care Online.
After a year of preparation by panel, Senators Call
to Action details policy options, goals for reform; draws backing of
Center for Medicare Advocacy