Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius tried to stem the fallout over HealthCare.gov web woes and canceled health insurance plans before a House committee hearing today. Although the patter was a bit of a repeat from CMS executive Marilyn Tavener’s hearing yesterday, it did offer a few morsels of weirdness.
NixonGate: Former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich set Twitter alight with a fairly outrageous comparison of Sebelius with Richard Nixon. Predictably, he drew a big response. Although there was some support, there was a lot more rebuke.
Sebelius dishonesty in testimony this morning exceeds anything president Nixon was accused of. The Obama team cant tell truth and survive
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) October 30, 2013
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Newt GIngrich, the first Speaker to ever be charged for ethics violations, compares Sec. Sebelius to President Nixon.
— The McKenzie Report (@McKenzieReport) October 30, 2013
Handy flowchart: http://t.co/GjPcRbAdu5 MT @newtgingrich: Sebelius dishonesty this morning exceeds anything president Nixon was accused of.
— Media Matters (@mmfa) October 30, 2013
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Blitzer Calls Out Gingrich On Sebelius ‘Nixon’ Comment http://t.co/bkHVmjCd6E
— Brwnizofmine (@Brwnizofmine) October 30, 2013
No reliable data on Obamacare accounts: Sebelius conceded that the errors on the HealthCare.gov website meant accurate data on the number of people who have successfully registered was unavailable. She also took responsibility for all the problems with the federal health insurance exchange, from the errors produced by insufficient testing to acknowledging in retrospect that not enough end-to-end testing was done.
Healthcare vendor penalties? The Wall Street Journal’s live blog of the hearing said Sebelius “suggested that the federal government may finally penalize the main contractors on the site, QSSI and CGI Federal, for delivering a system that didn’t work when all of the many pieces of technology were put together.
Although Sebelius apologized for the problems with the federal exchange, she was unapologetic in the face of complaints from representatives’ constituents whose health insurers had canceled their plans. Sebelius’ refusal to at least acknowledge that people feel justifiably misled was particularly galling, especially in the context of President Obama’s repeated assurances that if they liked their health plans, people could keep them. She pointed out that it was simply a matter of health insurance companies responding to the market forces. She insisted that consumers would have better options once the dust from ACA changes settles.
That line of defense sparked this response from Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn): “I will remind you: Some people like to drive a Ford and not a Ferrari, and some people like to drink out of a red solo cup and not a crystal stem. You’re taking away their choice.”
Sebelius stuck to her guns that Obamacare would be better than previous insurance options and eventually people will appreciate it.
“This market has always been the Wild West,” Sebelius said. “They have choices they’ve never had before.”
In an effort to be friendly, some Republicans showed flashes of charm such as this weird exchange with Rep Ralph Hall (R-Texas) which included an observation on whether he saw Sebelius on a tricycle as a child.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MDTJv6I_Gk
