Making a bad bill worse (a caution tale on DeParle's defence of HCR)

[IndianaGreen]

Reference OP of Nancy-Ann DeParle's defence of the health ripoff bill, and thanks to DUer rug for pointing out DeParle's industry connections down thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x75580#75675

Nancy-Ann DeParle, Health Aide Tapped By Obama, Has Links To Industry

Since leaving the Clinton administration, Ms. DeParle has been managing director of a private equity firm, CCMP Capital, and a board member of companies like Boston Scientific, Cerner and Medco Health Solutions. White House officials said Ms. DeParle was severing ties with those companies and would recuse herself from participating in any matter that was “directly or substantially” related to former clients or employers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/03/nancy-ann-deparle-health_n_171292.html

Obama health czar directed firms in trouble

DeParle made millions from companies under federal investigation

Nancy-Ann DeParle, President Barack Obama’s health policy czar, served as a director of corporations that faced scores of federal investigations, whistleblower lawsuits and other regulatory actions, according to government records reviewed by the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University.

Several of the companies were investigated for alleged kickbacks or engaging in other illegal billing schemes, while others were accused of serious violations of federal quality standards, including one company that failed to warn patients of deadly problems with an implanted heart defibrillator. Several of the cases ended with substantial fines paid to the federal government, even though the companies admitted no wrongdoing.

Since leaving her government job running Medicare for the Clinton administration, DeParle built a lucrative private-sector career. Records show she earned more than $6.6 million since early 2001, according to a tally by the Investigative Reporting Workshop.

Much of that corporate career was built at companies that have frequently had to defend themselves against federal investigations. After leaving government, DeParle accepted director positions at half a dozen companies suspected of violating the very laws and regulations she had enforced for Medicare. Those companies got into further trouble on her watch as a director.

Now she’s back in government as a leading voice in deciding the shape of health care reform. Named by Obama in March as director of the White House Office of Health Reform, making $158,000 a year, DeParle is the point person in pushing for the administration's plans for changing health care and the ways Americans pay for it — changes in which her former companies have a great deal at stake.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31566399/ns/health-health_care/

[chimpymustgo]

1. Obama's team of FAT CATS.

:puke:

[4dsc]

2. This ship is sinking fast...

[IndianaGreen]

3. and is taking down the country down with it

Kill the bill!

[Armstead]

4. Don't forget who he originally wanted

Wikipeadia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Daschle#Post-Senate_career


Following his election defeat, Daschle took a position with the lobbying arm of the K Street law firm Alston & Bird. Because he was prohibited by law from lobbying for one year after leaving the Senate,<26> he instead worked as a "special policy adviser" for the firm.<27><28>

Alston & Bird's health care lobbying clients include CVS Caremark, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Abbott Laboratories and HealthSouth.<8> The firm was paid $5.8 million between January and September 2008 to represent companies and associations before Congress and the executive branch, with 60 percent of that money coming from the health industry.<9> Daschle was recruited by the former Republican Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.<29> Daschle's salary from Alston & Bird for the year 2008 was reportedly $2 million.<30>

[IndianaGreen]

5. Good olde boy Tom Daschle

Thanks for the reminder.

Birds of a feather flock together.