Amid a flurry of activity to pass comprehensive health reform by June, the White House says bipartisan support is preferable, but not necessary.
During a recent press conference, Nancy-Ann DeParle, the new White House point person on healthcare, said the Obama administration is striving for a bipartisan consensus. However, she said, the White House and Democrats may resort to using the budget reconciliation process – which takes fewer majority votes – to get healthcare reform passed.
DeParle, the new director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said she is spending 75 percent of her time on Capitol Hill in "active give and take" on a reform plan.
She said Obama has appointed officials from the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House Office of Management and Budget to work with her in guiding Congress. Kathleen Sebelius, confirmed last month by the Senate as Health and Human Services secretary, will become key in pushing health reform along with DeParle.
Prior to the confirmation, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said, "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that ... Sebelius has the political experience, determination and bipartisan work ethic to get the job done with Congress this year. "
DeParle said Republicans have many misconceptions about what Obama is proposing as a public health plan.
She said the president is proposing a government-sponsored health plan operated by private health plans, intended to lower administrative costs, increase access and keep the private sector honest.
If there are members of Congress who are philosophically opposed to a government-run plan, “then we might not be able to agree,” DeParle said. “Both parties have used budget reconciliation in the past, and it's not the preferred way to go.”
Senate Finance Committee Minority Leader Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) urged Congress to find common ground. “If we're to succeed in making real changes, all of us are going to have to listen and consider many ideas,” he said.