US health reforms to be clear, transparent: Sebelius
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U.S. health officials aim to move swiftly and clearly to implement newly enacted healthcare reforms, the nation’s health secretary said in remarks on Tuesday aimed at selling Americans on the benefits of the controversial changes.
“For years, Americans have struggled with a health insurance system that was opaque, unnecessarily confusing, and often overwhelming to navigate,” Kathleen Sebelius said in excerpts of a speech prepared for the National Press Club.
“Our goal as we implement this law is to be the opposite of that - to be as clear and transparent as possible.”
Calling the U.S. Health Department “a nationwide health insurance reform Help Desk,” Sebelius pledged to help consumers wade through the new reforms recently passed by the Democrat-controlled Congress.
The law called for people to purchase a health insurance policy or pay a fine, and provided subsidies to help those who could not afford coverage on their own. Overall, it aims to insure an additional 30 million Americans.
“We know that the only way this law will achieve its full potential is if Americans understand and take advantage of all the new benefits and choices that will be available to them,” Sebelius said in the remarks.
Republicans and other critics decry the insurance mandate as unconstitutional and are pushing back against the new law through lawsuits and other means.
While Sebelius acknowledged much work remains to educate Americans about the many provisions tucked in the 2,400-page healthcare law signed by President Barack Obama last month, she said the goal was to help empower consumers.
Her department will set guidelines to boost competition in the U.S. health insurance market and “serve as an umpire to make sure insurance companies treat Americans fairly,” she said.
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By Susan Heavey
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
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