Sec'y Sebelius argues US health care too expensive

[June 22, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the country has no choice but to revamp its health care program because current costs are "crushing families and businesses."

Sebelius acknowledged in a nationally broadcast interview that getting legislation overhauling the system enacted won't be easy and won't happen quickly and without many policy debates.

Sebelius, interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America" Monday, said that people can must also bear more responsibility for holding costs down by taking better care of themselves. Health care adviser Melody Barnes said the administration's plan would redirect money "so that you are efficiently and effectively using it."

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said a government-administered plan "will increase costs. It will reduce choices and essentially it will not allow you to keep what you have."

[Associated Press]

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