Health nominee clears hurdle (Sebelius)

[bemildred]

Source: LA Times

WASHINGTON -- Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius won the endorsement of a divided Senate Finance Committee Tuesday, likely clearing the way for her confirmation as President Barack Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services. But eight of the 10 Republicans on the panel voted against her, underscoring the increasingly partisan nature of the emerging health care debate on Capitol Hill.

Among the dissenters was Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the committee's senior GOP lawmaker and a leading health care authority who some Democrats had hoped would support health reform legislation later this year.

A spokeswoman for Grassley said he was concerned about "a lack of candor" by Sebelius over political contributions from George Tiller, a Kansas doctor who performs abortions. Sebelius this month told the committee she had inadvertently understated those contributions. She also had to amend her tax returns to cover $7,040 in underpayments.

Republican lawmakers, frustrated by Democratic talk of limiting the GOP's ability to filibuster health care legislation, are growing increasingly resistant to the president's health agenda. Republicans also have complained about Sebelius' support for a new government insurance program to help cover millions of people who lack insurance.

Read more: http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hssebelius22-nws,0,3164278.story

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Time to confirm SOMEONE for HHS already. This is ridiculous. n/t

[CBHagman]

2. It only took a few years for the GOP to change their tune...

...oh, how they adore the filibuster now that they are in the minority.

[quidam56]

3. Roll up your sleeves Administrator Sebelius

you have a lot of work ahead of you. We need a cure for health care. In East Tennessee, profit care comes ahead of patient care, we can change that together. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62