Thompson Launches Inquiry Into Medicare Drug Bill Cost

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-medicare17mar17,1,6332009.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Noting that "there seems to be a cloud hanging over this department," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson on Tuesday ordered a formal investigation of allegations that the Bush administration withheld information about the cost of the Medicare prescription drug bill from members of Congress.

Thompson said his department's inspector general would reconstruct events of last June, when the House and Senate were debating separate versions of the Medicare reform bill, to determine whether then-Medicare Administrator Thomas A. Scully threatened to fire Richard S. Foster, Medicare's top financial analyst, if he shared his cost estimates with lawmakers.

The investigation also will examine whether information about the cost and potential impact of various provisions of the Medicare legislation was improperly withheld from Congress, Thompson said.

<snip>

"We have nothing to hide," Thompson said.

[Sugarbleus]

1. I just sent a letter to my Dem rep telling them to fight for the

truth in this matter. Uncover, investigate...do the right thing.

[leftchick]

2. why oh why do these thugs always get to control the "investigations"?

What total bullshit! :grr:

[Democat]

4. Because they are smarter than Democrats when it comes to winning strategy

Stupid Democrats (thanks Janet Reno!) allowed Ken Starr to go after Clinton.

The Republicans have figured out that the best defense is to control everything.

The next Democratic president better learn from Bush's bullshit and use the same tricks back on the right wing.

Democrats never seem to play hardball, while Republicans always do.

Remember when we controlled the senate while Bush was president? How many subpoenas did Democrats issue? :(

[snippy]

6. That is one of the biggest costs to the country of republicans controlling

both houses of Congress. If democrats had subpoena power there would be some co-conspirators in the Bush administration turning on their partners in crime.

[radfringe]

3. ...rolling my eyes...

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

any bets that nothing will come of this self-investigating investigation?

[Palacsinta]

5. How many investigations are going on?

I've lost count. Maybe that's their new strategy?

[DiverDave]

7. Riiiight,

probably got there best investigators on it, eh?
Look for the "nuttin to see here" line...after a suitable time passes.

[salin]

8. Launch into an investigation? Or launch into a whitewash?