By ANNA EDNEY, CongressDaily
Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas told senators today that overhauling the nation's health care system will be her main mission if confirmed as HHS secretary. "Inaction is not an option. The status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable," Sebelius said, echoing President Obama.
Sebelius endured a fairly easy hearing today, volleying questions from Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members. Questions ranged from government-run health care to the use of budget reconciliation to the reimportation of prescription drugs, most of which she artfully dodged. HELP ranking member Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., pressed Sebelius on whether she supports using reconciliation to pass a health care overhaul, comparing the fast-track budget process to "a declaration of war." Sebelius declined to give details, saying only Congress should be "involved and engaged in the process." When asked by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., about government-run health care, Sebelius said she opposes the concept but supports a "public option side-by-side with private insurers in some kind of exchange."
In light of recent salmonella outbreaks, including one announced Monday involving pistachios, Sebelius did not rule out handing FDA's food safety responsibilities to a new agency. Declaring it premature to discuss dividing the agency, she said, "However the FDA operates, we have to have a new platform for the safety of our food supply." She avoided the subject of reimportation, which would allow Americans to purchase cheaper drugs from other countries. While she would like to explore avenues to obtain high-quality, low-cost drugs, Sebelius said FDA first needs to restore its reputation.
Sebelius will face more questioning Thursday when she appears before the Senate Finance Committee. The HELP hearing today was a courtesy hearing, while the Finance Committee is tasked with approving Sebelius' nomination.
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