Two Republican lawmakers have written a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, responding to reports that exchange grants are being used for pop culture "propaganda" and urging answers on how HHS is tracking and using the grants.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told Ms. Sebelius "unlimited money is flowing from your agency to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges with little or no restrictions and accountability."
The lawmakers mentioned reports of California paying a public relations firm $900,000 to tap major network TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Modern Family" for plotlines featuring the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The lawmakers cited the PR firm's plans from a New York Times report.
"Americans' hard-earned money should not be taken by government to subsidize Hollywood and insert propaganda into the popular culture," Rep. Upton and Sen. Grassley wrote.
They requested Ms. Sebelius answer a series of questions by Oct. 5, explaining how HHS is tracking the exchange grants and measuring their effectiveness. The lawmakers also want to know if HHS anticipates providing guidance to the states on how to avoid waste and abuse "in a program with unlimited tap into the Treasury."
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Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told Ms. Sebelius "unlimited money is flowing from your agency to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges with little or no restrictions and accountability."
The lawmakers mentioned reports of California paying a public relations firm $900,000 to tap major network TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Modern Family" for plotlines featuring the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The lawmakers cited the PR firm's plans from a New York Times report.
"Americans' hard-earned money should not be taken by government to subsidize Hollywood and insert propaganda into the popular culture," Rep. Upton and Sen. Grassley wrote.
They requested Ms. Sebelius answer a series of questions by Oct. 5, explaining how HHS is tracking the exchange grants and measuring their effectiveness. The lawmakers also want to know if HHS anticipates providing guidance to the states on how to avoid waste and abuse "in a program with unlimited tap into the Treasury."
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