Sebelius: Americans Will Embrace Health Reform

By: Tucker Reals
Topics: Health Care

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius says that, despite a new CBS News poll showing widespread skepticism and confusion, Americans will be "enthusiastic" about the health reform bill passed by the House of Representatives once they understand it.

"I think what's been going on for the better part of a year is a lot of attempts to confuse and scare Americans," Sebelius told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez.

Sebelius said she was "absolutely convinced" that "once people understand what's in the bill and the fact that a lot of what they've been hearing has never been contemplated, has never been in the bill, that they'll be very enthusiastic about what congress did last night."

Asked whether Mr. Obama would keep his promise and stick by his executive order reiterating a U.S. ban on federal funding for abortions, Sebelius said, "Clearly, he intends to keep his word."

"He's kept his word all along. This is the kind of reform he said would happen if he were elected president. He talked about this for two years on the campaign trail. And here we are with, finally, a promise kept to the American people."

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More Coverage of Health Care Reform:

House Passes Health Care Bill
Poll: Health Care Reform Still Confusing
Health Care Bill Passed the House, But Battles Ahead in Senate, Court
Health Care Debate Shows Ideological Split
Obama: "This is What Change Looks Like"
Health Care Vote: How Each Representative Voted
Announcement of the Vote
Boehner Tells Democrats: Shame on You
Pelosi Urges House to "Make History"
Health Care Bill: What's In It?
Short-Term Effect of the Bill
Stupak Called "Baby Killer" for Backing Bill
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Tucker Reals
Tucker Reals is a senior news editor and overnight site editor for CBSNews.com, based at CBS News' London bureau.

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by boosterAU November 22, 2010 2:43 PM EST: This whole thing is such a mess. It's not going to be any better with the government involved. Soon we will all start our own <a href="https://carn18.sslcert19.com/RequestAQuoteForm.php">group health insurance</a> plans with the people we choose to finally find something affordable.; Reply to this comment


by mikeoliphant March 23, 2010 2:07 PM EDT: With the passage of this bill. It appears from www.HealthInsuranceSource.net and www.AHealthInsuranceQuote.com analysis that employers nationwide will be assessed a $2,000 penalty for every employee not offered group health insurance or commonly referred to employer sponsored health insurance. Does this include part time employees that traditionally didn?t qualify or buy health insurance in the first place because of the cost vrs. Hours worked? How in the world is an employer going to absorb this cost? So if an employee doesn?t want to participate in paying their share, the employer is penalized $2,000?; Reply to this comment


by futureeaglemom March 23, 2010 2:57 AM EDT: Of course Americans will emabrace health care reform--if not, we will be mandated to do so!; Reply to this comment


by jxknowles March 22, 2010 3:59 PM EDT: "Sebelius: Americans Will Embrace Health Reform"

We already have. Thank you lawmakers in Congress for the courage to stand up for what is right for the country.; Reply to this comment


by infantryman1968 March 22, 2010 3:39 PM EDT: by noloyalisti March 22, 2010 3:20 PM EDT
Thank you. We the progressive majority of the people need to make sure this is just the beginning. We need universal single payer to cut ALL PROFIT out of the system. We need to severely curtail the power of the big corporations to start wars and tax us mercilessly.

But in the mean time, we need to line the pockets of the corporations with Billions of Dollars by giving them 35 million new customers on a silver platter. Just dont tell anyone.

Yes We Can!; Reply to this comment


by infantryman1968 March 22, 2010 3:04 PM EDT: Health Bill Good Medicine for Wall Street
Health Care Companies Pull Stock Market Higher as Overhaul Bill Means Increased Business for Insurers and Drug Makers

LOL

Obama and his followers just made the Rich Richer!!!; Reply to this comment

by publicgood-2009 March 22, 2010 3:01 PM EDT

So, this bill says you will be covered regardless of pre-existing conditions.
The uninsured, who go to the hospital, and then the hospital shifts the cost to the rest of us, now have to pay there way and quit free-riding on the rest of us.

85% of all premiums must be spent on health benefits, instead of the 65% insurance companies now spend.

Insurance exchanges will exist, that define insurance packages, and has insurance companies bid on providing insurance on a cost basis.

Why is all the above bad?

And yes there is cost containment in the package. It is indirect, and therefore not sound bite worth. Read the bill. While it is 2000 some pages, most of it repeats as each subsection covers the specifics. So it is more like 200 pages of new material.

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by foodandart March 22, 2010 3:53 PM EDT: publicgood - until the cost containments come on the heads of those that blatantly abuse their health, we're really NOT going to do anything but fund bad habits. Tell me, do you really think a system of funding that is an all but open door for using as much as you want is going to stop the conditions that lead to the 75% of health costs going to cover CHRONIC care?

Where is the sanction in this bill to take on junk-food manufacturers and the customers that won't exercise and keep themselves fit and healthy?

How much are you personally willing to pay to cover the collectively lazy and bad habits of the sugar-eaters out there?

Hmmm?


by avatar-666 March 22, 2010 2:43 PM EDT: "The essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government". ~ Founding Fathers; Reply to this comment


by basketlover1 March 22, 2010 2:14 PM EDT: Some of you need to get your heads out of your Republican *****! Maybe you would see further than your nose if you allowed yourselves to think like a free person instead of allowing yourselves to be brainwashed by O'Reilly and Limbaugh, and other really smart people, who never let you get a word in edgewise, even if you had a good idea, which most of you don't.; Reply to this comment


by Heathergreeneyes March 22, 2010 2:03 PM EDT: I have not gone to the doctor for many years.

So one month, when I do not go to the doctor, I get to do that for free. Then the next month, when I do not go to the doctor, it will cost me about $100.

And why is that? Because this new law needs someone like me to pay that $100 AND also to not go to the doctor!

If everyone pays their $100 and DOES go to the doctor, ObamaCare won't work!

Under ObamaCare, as a healthy person, I am just a revenue source!; Reply to this comment