Congressman Harris Demands Clarity from Secretary Sebelius Regarding Obamacare Fundraising

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. joined Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-1) and Congressman Rodney Alexander (LA-5) calling on HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to release information regarding her solicitation of private healthcare companies to give money to promote The Affordable Care Act. As members of the Labor, HHS Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, they are deeply concerned that Secretary Sebelius’ actions present a clear conflict of interest.

The letter they sent to Secretary Sebelius is below:

May 14, 2013

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius

Secretary

Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Ave, SW

Washington DC, 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius,

We write with great concern over the reports of impropriety concerning solicitations of donations for a nonprofit that is assisting in the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Recent media reports have indicated that you, on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, have solicited donations over the last three months from health industry executives to assist in the implementation of PPACA. Subsequent statements made by HHS staff have offered conflicting information regarding who was solicited.

As described by the Department of Justice, federal regulations only permit solicitations by federal department officials “if you do not solicit funds from a subordinate or from someone who has or seeks business with the Department, and you do not use your official title.” In addition, it appears that a great conflict of interest exists in soliciting funds for this purpose. Your actions, as described in recent reports, appear to violate these regulations.

To clarify the actions that were taken by you and ensure that no wrongdoing occurred, we request the following information:

• A list of all of the individuals from whom you have solicited donations;
• A list of any Department of Health and Human Services employees who assisted in any way in the solicitation of donations;
• A justification on why your actions do not violate federal regulations; and
• Information on any interactions the companies of the individuals you have spoken to have previously had or will have before the Department of Health and Human Services.

We look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Jack Kingston
Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies

Rodney Alexander
Vice Chair
Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies

Andy Harris, M.D.
Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies