by Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudoynm Alone

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is reported to be a little piqued regarding the Health and Human Services website standing-in as a shill (my word, not his) for health care reform favored by President Obama.

In this article from Roll Call Grassley is quoted from a letter written to the HHS Secretary:

In a letter sent to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Tuesday, Grassley warned that “any possible misuse of appropriated funds by the executive branch to engage in publicity or propaganda in support of an Administration priority is a matter that must be investigated and taken seriously,” noting that in 2005 Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) argued that “the use of official funds for similar activities were ‘underhanded tactics’and that these tactics ‘are not worthy of our great democracy.’”

The article continues with:

The form letter on the “state your support” page includes language hailing Obama’s efforts. “We strongly support your commitment to comprehensive health reform. This is not a luxury. The continuing, sharp escalation of health care costs for families, businesses, and government is unsustainable. Reform is imperative. We believe that health reform must be enacted this year,” the letter says.

Additionally, the article states:

In his letter, Grassley notes that HHS has recently issued new guidance to insurers that they must obtain permission from beneficiaries before sending out mailers critical of the reform efforts in Congress. “The use of the official HHS.gov Web site for activities that seem to be nothing more than government propaganda raises many serious questions,” Grassley wrote.

Senator Grassley, according to the article, has asked for information about the website details, i.e., what contractor developed the website, who will have access to the names of the respondents and whether any executive or third party entities have made contact with the respondents.

You can read the complete article here HHS Website May Be Propaganda

So, what’s your take on this particular whizzing match. Is it important at this juncture of a health bill’s chance for passage or is it trying to gain supporters (names of) so that their names and information can be used for future efforts of support for any program this administration tries to implement.

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