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Rangel And Stark React To HHS Inspector General Investigation Into Bush Administration Witholding Cost Of Medicare Drug Bill

Date: July 6, 2004
Issues: Drugs


7/6/2004

Rangel And Stark React To Hhs Inspector General Investigation Into Bush Administration Witholding Cost Of Medicare Drug Bill

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) issued the following statements today in reaction to information the Bush Administration Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released on the so-called investigation conducted by its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into the withholding of information on the Medicare Modernization Act.

"It sounds as though the Bush Administration examined itself and found it did nothing wrong," said Rep. Stark, Ranking Democrat of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. "This flies in the face of the only independent analysis to date, which was conducted by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. Sadly, it appears that the shysters in this Administration will go to any lengths to justify their coverup. Although we have historically been able to rely on the Inspector General for critical, independent investigations, it appears the political tentacles of this Administration have choked off this option."

"The Republicans in power - whether in the House or Senate Leadership, the courts, or the Bush Administration - are ganging up on the people to prevent them from learning the truth about what is going on. Why then would it surprise anyone that the Bush Administration HHS inspector general would try make this story goes away?" said Rep. Rangel, Ranking Democrat of the full Ways and Means Committee. "All that I know is that the Congress did not have the best information available to make a judgement on vital legislation. The law is clear that we were entitled to this information. We asked for it. We were not given it. It seems to me that if the Bush Administration disputes this, then the truth will only come out in an independent forum or investigation. It is very difficult for someone to tell himself whether he is too dirty to go outside without a shower."

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