zimv20
Mar 9, 2004, 02:37 AM
link (http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/03/08/medicare/index.html)
Mark McClellan, President Bush's choice to run Medicare, said Monday he won't answer senators' questions about his opposition to importing prescription drugs from Canada before he takes over the government health program.
Republican leaders in the Senate want to vote to confirm McClellan by the end of the week, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tries to put in place the Medicare overhaul that Bush signed last year.
However, McClellan's rejection of the request from Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrats Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan sets up the prospect that they will use Senate procedures to drag out the confirmation.
McClellan, at a hearing on his nomination at the Senate Finance Committee, said he would answer the senators' questions "as soon as this confirmation process is concluded."
Told of McClellan's comments, Dorgan spokesman Barry Piatt said: "That's an absurd response that borders on the arrogant. He doesn't get to choose which senators can ask him questions." McCain spokesman Marshall Wittman said the senator is still awaiting a formal response from McClellan.
As commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, McClellan has been the Bush administration's leading voice in opposition to allowing prescription drugs into this country from Canada, where they often are cheaper. McClellan, other government officials and pharmaceutical companies have raised questions about safety.
Mark McClellan, President Bush's choice to run Medicare, said Monday he won't answer senators' questions about his opposition to importing prescription drugs from Canada before he takes over the government health program.
Republican leaders in the Senate want to vote to confirm McClellan by the end of the week, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tries to put in place the Medicare overhaul that Bush signed last year.
However, McClellan's rejection of the request from Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrats Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan sets up the prospect that they will use Senate procedures to drag out the confirmation.
McClellan, at a hearing on his nomination at the Senate Finance Committee, said he would answer the senators' questions "as soon as this confirmation process is concluded."
Told of McClellan's comments, Dorgan spokesman Barry Piatt said: "That's an absurd response that borders on the arrogant. He doesn't get to choose which senators can ask him questions." McCain spokesman Marshall Wittman said the senator is still awaiting a formal response from McClellan.
As commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, McClellan has been the Bush administration's leading voice in opposition to allowing prescription drugs into this country from Canada, where they often are cheaper. McClellan, other government officials and pharmaceutical companies have raised questions about safety.
