Posts Tagged ‘Robert Gibbs’

Court Extends Stem Cell Funding Indefinitely

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Court rules to fund embryonic stem cell research. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has said “yes” to the Obama administration’s request to allow the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund embryonic stem cell (ESC) research.  The ruling extends a temporary decision issued by the same court.  Earlier, Judge Royce Lamberth had issued an injunction that shut down NIH funding for new embryonic stem cell research, claiming the government is violating the Dickey-Wicker amendment by using federal funds to support human embryonic stem cell research.

Stem cell researchers reacted with shock to the cut-off of funding, which forced the NIH to withdraw 50 grants that were awaiting peer review and put a hold on 22 grants that were up for yearly renewal.  Thanks to the recent decision, the NIH has started funding stem cell research again.

The Obama administration praised the court’s decision.  “President Obama made expansion of stem cell research and the pursuit of groundbreaking treatments and cures a top priority when he took office,” said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.  “We’re heartened that the court will allow NIH and their grantees to continue moving forward while the appeal is resolved.”  In March of 2009, President Obama issued an executive order that rescinded former President George W. Bush’s order that had banned using federal funds for embryonic stem cell research on lines derived after a certain date.  In the last 1½ years, the NIH has approved 74 new embryonic stem cell lines for research purposes.

Ron Stoddart, a member of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, filed the lawsuit.  The organization helps people adopt embryos that are stored in fertilization clinics. According to Stoddart, the case is likely to be controversial for some time.  “I think that eventually Congress has to step up and deal with it,” he said.

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Some Healthcare Insurers Refuse to Sell Child-Only Policies

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Insurers who refuse to sell child-only policies are creating a political firestorm. Some of the nation’s largest insurers are in open rebellion against a provision contained in the new healthcare reform law that is already in effect.  The shot across the White House’s bow is a decision by several insurers to stop selling child-only policies instead of complying with the law that blocks them from turning away kids with pre-existing conditions.  Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Inc., and others are refusing to sell the policies in states such as California, Illinois, Florida and Connecticut – even though the law requires that insurers cover children under 19 even if they have a history of illness.  Approximately 500,000 children nationally are impacted by this action.

The insurers claim that the new requirement will result in unforeseen costs related to covering eligible children.  The scenario they envision is that parents might buy policies for their children only after they get sick, creating a surplus of kids who suddenly need insurance coverage.  The decision by some of the big insurers to abandon this niche marketplace means that just a few firms will be forced to share what could be an enormous financial burden.  The good news is that relatively few child-only policies are sold.

The Obama administration immediately denounced the action.  White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters “It’s obviously very unfortunate that insurance companies continue to make decisions on the backs of children and families that need their help.”

The stakes are especially high in California.  Legislation awaiting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval would ban companies that refuse to sell child-only policies from selling insurance in the profitable individual market for five years.  Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), who wrote the bill, said “At a time when we are launching a national approach to ensure that all children have access to healthcare, Anthem’s actions represent a step backwards.  By threatening to drop child-only policies in California, the company jeopardizes the health of families and children.  I call on Anthem to reconsider its plan.”

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Speak Softly and Carry an Oversized Gavel

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

The House of Representatives passes healthcare. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House, presided over the often fractious but historic healthcare reform overhaul vote with the help of an oversized gavel borrowed from Representative John Dingell (D-MI), who chaired the passage of the Medicare bill 45 years ago.  “A treasure in the Dingell family that was used in the enactment of the Medicare law,” Pelosi said.  “I will use it this evening when we cast a very successful vote for this important legislation.  This has been a complete team effort, not only a team effort, a partnership with our leadership and every member of our caucus and we look forward to making this historic day known to the American people.”

The late Sunday evening passage of the healthcare reform bill by a thin 219 – 212 margin was described by President Barack Obama as “This is what change looks like.”  All 178 House Republicans and 34 Democrats voted against the legislation, which ultimately will cover 32,000,000 Americans who currently lack healthcare coverage.  Also on Sunday, the House passed a package of “fixes” that will resolve some of the conflicts between the House and Senate versions of the healthcare bill.  Senate Democrats plan to pass the fixes under budget reconciliation, which requires a simple majority vote.

The president, who plans to sign the bill, said “Tonight, after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying, and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States Congress finally declared that America’s workers and America’s families and America’s small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here, in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they’ve worked a lifetime to achieve.”

“This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century,” said Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC), the third highest ranking Democrat in the House.

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Aisle-Crossing Democratic Congressmen May Sink Healthcare Reform

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Dennis Kucinich and Bart Stupak might vote with Republicans to kill healthcare reform efforts. Two Democratic Congressmen – Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Bart Stupak (D-MI) – may torpedo President Barack Obama’s efforts to reform the way healthcare is delivered in the United States.  Both Congressmen are threatening to cross party lines and vote with House Republicans, who are united in their solid opposition to healthcare reform.

Kucinich justifies his “no” vote on the fact the legislation lacks a robust public option – a provision that the Republicans staunchly oppose – and describes the bill as a “giveaway” to the insurance companies.  Republicans have called on the president to dump the bill, saying it is too expensive, complicated and burdensome on businesses and individuals who will be required to buy healthcare insurance, often with government subsidies.

Stupak is threatening to vote to defeat healthcare reform for an entirely different reason.  His objection is that the legislation might allow federal funds to be used to reimburse patients for abortions.  “Yes.  We’re prepared to take responsibility,” Stupak said on “Good Morning America” when asked if he and 11 other Democrat were willing to accept the consequences for bringing down healthcare reform over abortion. “Let’s face it. I want to see healthcare.  But we’re not going to bypass the principles of belief that we feel strongly about,” he said.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs reiterated that when it comes to this issue, the administration merely wants to maintain the status quo and believes that Stupak ultimately will be persuaded to vote with his fellow Democrats.  “This is not a bill about abortion.  This is about healthcare reform,” Gibbs said.

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