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Breaking News
New Health Czar Challenges Obama's Ethics Reforms
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, who was appointed White House health czar, took home at least $2.4 million in 2006 and 2007 from serving on the corporate boards of health-care companies.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, who President Obama appointed as director of the White House Office of Health Care Reform on Monday, took home at least $2.4 million in 2006 and 2007 from serving on the corporate boards of health-care companies whose businesses she would be in a position to affect in her new position.
Since leaving the Clinton administration in 2001, DeParle has made a fortune by serving on 10 boards in the health-care industry in addition to her lucrative career as a managing director at private equity firm CCMP Capital and a senior adviser at JP Morgan Partners. Her journey from the public sector to the private sector and back again would seem to represent the type of revolving door relationship between Washington and corporate America that President Obama pledged to put an end to during the campaign and in an executive order.
Tom Daschle, who was originally supposed to hold the same "health czar" position in addition to serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, came under fire after it was revealed that he received $220,000 for giving speeches to health groups over two years. But DeParle's ties to the health-care industry run much deeper.
In just 2006 and 2007 alone, DeParle earned $376,140 in cash and stock from Cerner Corp., according to a TAS analysis of the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cerner is a leader in the field of health information technology, which the Obama administration has made a key part of its health-care agenda. During the same time, she also was awarded $377,319 by DaVita Corp., which specializes in kidney dialysis, and $224,749 from medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp.
In addition, she served on the board of Triad Hospitals from 2001 through its merger with Community Health Systems in 2007. When the $54-per share deal was approved, she was paid $1,059,205 for the stock options she held in Triad and she sold an additional $349,164 in common stock, for a windfall of $1,408,369.
This analysis only scratches the surface on her overall earnings from corporate boards since 2001. The reason is that some corporations did not specify how much each individual board member received in compensation in their filings in a given year.
For instance, at medical device-maker Guidant Corp., where she served from 2001 until its merger with Boston Scientific in 2006, its filings specify that board members would have received a $36,000 annual retainer, plus $3,000 for every meeting attended in person and $1,000 for every telephone meeting. Without knowing which meetings she attended, it's impossible to say precisely how much she would have earned. In addition, at the time of the Boston Scientific merger, she was able to exercise options on 35,000 shares of Guidant stock, allowing her to convert it into shares in the newly formed entity.
This analysis also leaves out any compensation she would have received for her board work in 2008, because that information is not yet available.
Her service also included stints on the board of Specialty Laboratories Inc. from 2001-2004; pharmacy network Accredo Health Group Inc. from 2002-2005; and diagnostic imaging company Medquest Associates Inc. since 2002. In 2008, she also joined the board of Legacy Hospital Partners Inc., which was formed by former Triad executives and mail order pharmacist Medco Health Solutions Inc. (which took over Accredo).
In her new role as the so-called "health czar" DeParle will be tasked with leading the White House efforts on overhauling the system. Asked yesterday whether her extensive board service would present a problem, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said, "No. I mean, obviously, the White House has confidence in her and her abilities as part of the health care reform effort here." Gibbs said he anticipated she would leave the boards she is currently serving on.
Daschle eventually withdrew his nomination over controversy stemming from his failure to pay taxes in addition to the uproar over his health-care industry income. As a cabinet nominee, he would have faced Senate confirmation, but DeParle will not since the Obama administration split Daschle's dual role, and tapped Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Shortly after taking office, President Obama issued a widely-touted executive order requiring appointees to take a pledge declaring, "I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts."
As her web of relationships to the medical industry becomes known in greater detail, the administration will be pressed to explain how DeParle could take on overhauling the entire health-care system without violating the spirit, if not the letter, of President Obama's ambitious ethics requirements.
About the Author
Philip Klein is The American Spectator's Washington correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Philipaklein
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Dr Robert Mandraccia| 3.3.09 @ 2:46PM
It is truly amazing to me that a "flack" such as Ms DeParle earns more than ten times what the BEST paid doctors earn for ACTUALLY TREATING PATIENTS.I guess I screwed up in becoming a surgeon. Should have worked for Boston Scientific.
Dustoff| 3.3.09 @ 3:14PM
Another lobbiest? OMG.
Joe B| 3.3.09 @ 4:12PM
Dr Bob, money isn't everything. And by the way, have you noticed that Barak Obama looks like the baby of Eraserhead?
Interloper| 3.3.09 @ 4:28PM
President Obama's pledge was not to appoint persons who had served as lobbyists to his administration. Sitting on a board of directors is not being a lobbyist. Ms. DeParle sat on boards, which will have given her a useful overview of how these companies function. There is no evidence she will be partial to any of them.
Nor does anything Ms. DeParle has done violate the standard you cite:
"I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts."
She hasn't even had the opportunity to violate the ethics standard. And, in her role, she will not be initiating contracts, anyway.
Daschle's troublesome issue was not being a lobbyist. It was failing to pay taxes on his hired car and driver for years.
Have you no sense of embarrassment? Yes, many of the American Spectator's readers are barely literate. But, you must know that some intelligent and informed people occasionally drop in. Why waste time with sophistry when you could write an article with substance?
Pingback| 3.3.09 @ 4:36PM
Topics about Health, Food and Well being » Archive » The American Spectator : New bHe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Dustoff| 3.3.09 @ 4:58PM
interloper.
You may wish to ready this by Obama and lobbiest.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments/
Dustoff| 3.3.09 @ 5:00PM
interlopper
Despite President Barack Obama's pledge to limit the influence of lobbyists in his administration, a recent lobbyist for investment banking giant Goldman Sachs is in line to serve as chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
Uis in line to serve as chief of staff to Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner.
was a registered lobbyist for Goldman until April 11, 2008, according to public filings
ronjo| 3.3.09 @ 5:01PM
"She hasn't even had the opportunity to violate the ethics standard"
Interloper you ignorant sl#t how is that you can even claim to be part of the literatti by such drivel? Let's add a "yet" to your moronic colonic. The minute she acts under color of office she violates Obozo's grand ethics statement unless of course as a regulator she somehow learns not to participate in regulation. That's doable. Yes, maybe she's not a regulator to you and all policies she participates in formulating will somehow have nothing to do with regulations. The real threat to civil liberties I always believed comes from the left. Peeps like you confirm it as you can rationalize anything away. Not only does her appointment skew Obees stated ethics it does so in spirit and letter. But then again, those things don't matter to libtards like you. Thanks for dropping-in on the birdcage paper interpooper. Selfrightgeoussanctamoniousgrabassticpieceofamphibeousshitthatyouare!
Dustoff| 3.3.09 @ 5:01PM
interlopper
=============
President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, violates his campaign pledge that no lobbyists will be allowed on his team working on subjects they've recently lobbied on, Transition officials acknowledged Friday.
Officials say they were aware that Lynn had lobbied for defense giant Raytheon as recently as last summer, but they defended their pick.
fieldenstern| 3.3.09 @ 5:32PM
It's "whom" he appointed, not "who." That basic-journalism error kept me from reading the rest of the story.
jr| 3.3.09 @ 5:53PM
She fits very well into the corrupt ring of BHO trustees. I agree with the One, lobbyists should be cast out.
The Secret Society to HELL| 3.3.09 @ 6:29PM
Obama is not in control of America no more than George Bush was till Americans wake up, we are in serious trouble. Stop watching fox News and find real information. Our future is at stake, and that of our children.
Obama has no interest in Health Care, it's something to keep people distracted. Americans are going to wake up with no health care no social security, and no medicare, and no unemployment benefits cover. Living in a Bankrupted country, with riots on every street corner.
You need to be qualified to die, in the desert these days. What they mean is qualified to get paid to die.
If this health care plan was real how is it the government don't tell the country how they plan to implement this inview that Canada Mexico and North America is to become a block like the European Union. No information of what it would cost to impliment.
How is it the government don't tell the people that the Bailout package to build roads to create Jobs the government is only giving 60% of the cost and each state has to find the other40%, because it's a Bull S... plot to fool even more people than they have already foooled.
In a mattter of 12 months riots will be on every street in America and the Fema Concentration Camp guards will be out shooting people in the street and Curfews due to unemployment and States who have no money to pay the Unemployed, and food Stamps. Obama is a fraud, like Gordon Brown, no one seem to be able to get shot of him, a priminister never elected by a single membewr of the public. We are in the European Union not a single person voted for it.
The British pay 1.3 Million per hour every day 365 days per year and these people are accountable to no one on earth. It's coming to America if any one think Obama is bad wait till you are in slavery.
mattled| 3.3.09 @ 6:33PM
Innerloper much like other trolls here and on other conservative sites, will probably drop off soon because their dear leader is getting harder and harder to defend.
Obama hates this country and everything it stands for. He's proven it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Bill| 3.3.09 @ 6:52PM
Interloper. Wow what rationalization. What would you have said if Bush put someone who served on the board of 10 major Oil companies as director of the Department of Energy? Bush/Chaney were elected by the public not appointed and look how much liberals complained about Bush/Chaney's ex-affiliations. Obama does not have to worry about "secret" meetings like liberal say Bush/Chaney did with "BigOil". He just put one in charge.
Interloper| 3.3.09 @ 6:56PM
The ethics standard doesn't apply to all staff, only those working directly on policy and implementation matters. Furthermore, the person would have to involved in a 'specific matter' involving a former employer or client, and, it would have to occur within two years of appointment to violate the rule.
But, as broad as that is it does not have the monstrous loopholes that members of Congress do when it comes to benefitting financially from their employment. Y'all might want to look into what Sen. Judd Gregg was actually up to to see glaring self-dealing that does not violate Congress' ethical standard.
Interloper| 3.3.09 @ 7:28PM
William Lynn will not participate in any activities involving his former employers or their clients for a year.
http://tinyurl.com/ahp5gp
After that time, I think he will be bound by the regular ethics standard.
El Wayne| 3.3.09 @ 8:03PM
Anyone see the apparent irony of this ethics requirement:
2. Revolving Door Ban All Appointees Entering Government. I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.
Does this mean that after 2 years they can go willy-nilly? Will they become defacto ethical gods/esses after the 2 years? Not that ethics "really" matters to Internetcompoops. I'm sure he/she will either invent a rectifying clause or even that ethics matter to such trolls. Or Obo will renew or novate a new contract to stymie this inconsistency. Anyhow, we've been flim-flamed. A blind man could see that...but then again I'm just an uneducated, uninformed non-african american dumb-butt that won't ever fit into this gargantuan monolith of elitism.
typical white person| 3.3.09 @ 8:06PM
NO lobbyists in my White House screams the teleprompter attached to Obama!
then he hires lobbyists like they are going out of style
What would you expect from Boss Obama from Chicago - land of the crooked politician
El Wayne| 3.3.09 @ 8:08PM
Interloper-------------What are "regular ethics"? And how do they vary from Obama's stated ethics? Its all relative ehy? Its who you're related to in one form or fashion.
Interloper| 3.3.09 @ 8:13PM
I am always pleased to find something to agree with in the bloviations of AS regulars.
El Wayne said:
"...but then again I'm just an uneducated, uninformed non-african american dumb-butt that won't ever fit into this gargantuan monolith of elitism."
Exactly.
However, I am left wondering about another comment: Are all white people atypical?
El Wayne| 3.3.09 @ 8:42PM
So that makes you, Internetcompooper, a non AS regular whose non-bloviated sum and substance argumentations hinging, nay I say, pivoting upon tongue and cheek self-deprecatory conclusionary statements of your idealological adversary-as your main arsenal. I didn’t think you’d fall to that level as I’ve seen much more cogency in your many previous blogs. This shows you to be an elitist and borderline provincial to the extent that you have been unmasked as the Interfool that you are...but then again you don't know self-deprecation cause you're too busy defecating on other's ideas from the ivory tower that you and Obey inhabit. Elitist...demagogue…I know you can do better. My ad hominems should not cause you to stammer so. You’re usually bigger than that…I didn’t think you'd take the bait....thanks....chimp.
Ronlo| 3.3.09 @ 8:49PM
Hey Interloper we uninformed may not be as smart as you but we sure do know that you left out a space between "a and typical". Of course we's all typically white; any ole dumb-butt knowed that. huh huh huh!
Pingback| 3.3.09 @ 8:54PM
Health Care BS - ANOTHER TAINTED “HEALTH CZAR” links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.3.09 @ 8:59PM
Ethics Rules Aren’t Always To Live By | The Ethical Optimist links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
ruth| 3.3.09 @ 10:10PM
Obama's lookin' pretty stupid , kids. Makes Interloopy look even more stupid for defending him. What a tool you are, troll.
Interloper| 3.3.09 @ 10:53PM
If I were not used to the dullness of many of the minds on this site, I would think that Ronlo was kidding when he said "you left out a space between "a and typical." This, observers, is the level of intelligence of many of the people cheering Rush Limbaugh.
Thomas Richard| 3.3.09 @ 11:30PM
After two months of President Obama, one wonders if there are RINOs who still believe Obama will govern from the center? How silly were those predictions! Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do during his campaign, which is to fundamentally change America.
SmokeyDental1| 3.4.09 @ 6:16AM
Interloper - It never seems to amaze me that such "intelligent" individuals like yourself cannot make a comment without personal attacks on those who do not have the same opinion that you do. Childish name calling is a sure sign of lack of substance.
John Chapman| 3.4.09 @ 6:24AM
As Mr. Klein so rightly points out: we now have a government seemingly run by blowflies buzzing around fecal material. They're perpetual and serve little purpose other than their own interests. Their names keep popping up again and again and again.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.4.09 @ 6:48AM
This article indicates that you do not understand Communist practices or political rhetoric. Political rhetoric is "A chicken in every pot" or "I will have an ethical administration."
After you make these promises to the electorate, you don't raise any chickens and you scour the countryside for sleazy political hacks and tax scofflaws you can find to staff your government.
Think of it in this manner. If you tell the public the truth you empower them. If you lie to the public and make no bones about it, you empower the dishonest politicians who see that there is no price to pay when you lie to the public.
It pays to enlist corrupt people because they won't blow the whistle on you when you lie, cheat or steal. It then becomes an open air circus of bartering favors (government contracts, giveaways and lucrative contracts ) behind the scenes.
While the suckers who elected you sit there dumbfounded and watch their wealth disappear, you and your friends get very wealthy in a short time and even if you don't get reelected, you walk away with some walk around money.
This is why you talk ethics, but you practice total dishonesty. Why be a mafia boss if you can't act like one and live the Mafioso lifestyle of the rich and famous?
It's a Leona Helmsley mind set come to roost. The rich don't pay taxes, only the little people pay taxes. Barack Obama has proven Leona Helmsley right. What's even more, he makes Bernie Madoff look like an honest politician.
Rocco| 3.4.09 @ 6:57AM
Obambi has a better record of finding tax cheats than the IRS. I think he's missed his calling in life.
Pecos Pete| 3.4.09 @ 7:48AM
Interloper is a blessing. Were it not for his/her comments these comment sections would never be informed about the facts and truths of the Obama Administration (and socialism/Marxism).
It is clear that Interloper will only be satisfied when all of those who can not understand, because of stupidity, the essential goodness and rightness of Obama are forced into silence.
Thus, for one, I do appreciate learning about the bright future being brought to us by Obama from Interloper. The intelligence of Interloper shall not be doubted. The commitment of Interloper to truth shall not be doubted. The desire of Interloper to improve the thoughts and lives of the uneducated shall not be doubted.
Interloper is only here to raise the intellectual scope of the discussion. Undeniable truth is the sole purpose of Interloper. All bow down to Interloper. And to Obama.
GOP Gal| 3.4.09 @ 8:11AM
Interloper: read this and tell me who of us are illiterate
"(j) "Former client" is any person for whom the appointee served personally as agent, attorney, or consultant within the 2 years prior to the date of his or her appointment, but excluding instances where the service provided was limited to a speech or similar appearance. It does not include clients of the appointee's former employer to whom the appointee did not personally provide services"
Yada Yada Yada...it's all the same bull but packaged in a different way.
Gill O'Teen| 3.4.09 @ 8:35AM
Fearless Leader likes to compare himself to the Great Emancipator. So if he can pretend, heck, so can I.
Abraham Lincoln: “... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
barry obumah: “... uh that this um nation, a um under a me, shall um have a new um dearth of um freedom—and um that um government: a uh of the um government, by the uh a government, for um uh the uh um government, shall ah um uh not perish from my um ah world.”
Both sentences were uttered sans teleprompter, though legend has it that the computer illiterate Lincoln resorted to using scribbled notes. Lincoln spoke to a crowd assembled to honor heroes of the Civil War. obumah spoke to his lemmings.
Invest in precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper and brass encased lead. Take a two by four to your next Tea Party.
Wankel| 3.4.09 @ 10:02AM
Makes no difference. He won...
Bill| 3.4.09 @ 10:17AM
Well Interloper I happen to know what my IQ is and I am certainly not below average. And just for you to ponder... a man in his own wisdom is a fool.
Dustoff| 3.4.09 @ 11:41AM
Wankel
Makes no difference. He won...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
America lost.
ruth| 3.4.09 @ 1:55PM
2010 is coming up fast and liberals will lose. They'll pay for their over-reaching.
Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 2:43PM
Busy Day: Tab Dump « Law Dork, 2.0 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Gasman| 3.4.09 @ 7:32PM
To Joe B. Money is not everything. However it is frustrating to see hospital administrator and the like park in the best spots, come to the hospital later and leave earlier than those slaving in the operating rooms. All while making more money than those delivering health care.
Angel| 3.4.09 @ 7:51PM
I'm sorry for all of our achievers like the best doctors who work hard and really give a damn. They are priceless, and have saved my life more than once. But Obama and his ilk are all about mediocrity; marxism assures it. We won't be exceptional anymore and it's a damn shame.
Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 8:31PM
More Ethics HopeNChange Style | links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Dr Mike| 3.4.09 @ 9:53PM
Interloper is an obvious radical leftist. He/she and his ilk should be exposed and thrown out like dogs
Neo| 3.4.09 @ 11:07PM
"2. Revolving Door Ban All Appointees Entering Government. I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.
Pingback| 3.5.09 @ 6:22AM
The American Spectator : New Health Czar Challenges Obama's Ethics … « Ethics links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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New Health Czar Challenges Obama's Ethics Reforms - Truckingboards Truck Drivers For links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon| 7.19.09 @ 3:40PM
I'm not sure why anybody is acting surprised when it's revealed that politicians find themselves in favorable positions to leverage their "ladders" of the past...
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alpipkin.com » Where are we going as the world leader? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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