Congressman John Shadegg (AZ-03), along with 19 fellow members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee including: Ralph M. Hall, TX, Fred Upton, MI, Cliff Stearns, FL, Nathan Deal, GA, Ed Whitfield, KY, John Shimkus, IL, Roy Blunt, MO, Steve Buyer, IN, George Radanovich, CA, Joseph R. Pitts, PA, Mary Bono Mack, CA, Lee Terry, NE, Mike Rogers, MI, Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC, John Sullivan, OK, Marsha Blackburn, TN, Phil Gingrey, GA, and Steve Scalise, LA, sent a letter to Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) regarding the Obama Administration’s gag order on opponents of cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.
“This is yet another outrageous example of a very clear pattern. President Obama and his Administration officials are abusing their power and official resources to silence those who disagree with them. The Medicare Advantage providers being targeted by the Obama Administration and Senate Democrats properly followed guidance dating back to the Clinton Administration that stated seniors have a right to know how their benefits may be affected. They are simply being silenced for daring to criticize the government takeover of health care being pushed by Washington liberals.
“In their efforts to pass health care legislation that Americans have rejected, Washington Democrats are once again resorting to threats and intimidation. Using an arm of the federal government to attack providers engaging in free speech and warning seniors who rely on Medicare Advantage that their care will be jeopardized if this legislation passes should offend every American.
“There’s no question that President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are working together in an all-out push, doing everything they can to cram government-run health care down the throats of the American people. They’ll stop at nothing – even though Americans have said loud and clear that they want to keep the health care they have.”
September 25, 2009
Dear Chairman Waxman:
It has come to our attention that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) recently ordered insurance companies to cease communications to their customers about potential Congressional cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.
Given the White House’s support for these changes to Medicare Advantage, we are greatly troubled that the Administration may be abusing its resources to stifle criticism of the bills moving through Congress. Given the potential chilling effect this action will have on free speech, we ask that you convene a meeting of the full committee to review CMS’s conduct.
Specifically, our committee must examine:
1) the specific statutory and regulatory authority CMS relied on to place a gag order on the dissemination of information regarding the potential effects of Congressional proposals that alter the Medicare Advantage program;
2) the full list of insurance companies targeted by CMS for their communications; and
3) the origination of Acting Director Teresa DeCaro’s decision to issue gag orders.
Despite our differences on policy, we all believe that no White House should use the executive branch to silence opponents. As you have eloquently stated in the past, oversight is “one of Congress’ most important obligations” and is “necessary to rein in the excesses of the Executive Branch.” We must take this responsibility seriously.
Sincerely,
John B. Shadegg, AZ Ralph M. Hall, TX
Fred Upton, MI Cliff Stearns, FL
Nathan Deal, GA Ed Whitfield, KY
John Shimkus, IL Roy Blunt, MO
Steve Buyer, IN George Radanovich, CA
Joseph R. Pitts, PA Mary Bono Mack, CA
Lee Terry, NE Mike Rogers, MI
Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC John Sullivan, OK
Marsha Blackburn, TN Phil Gingrey, GA
Steve Scalise, LA
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