WASHINGTON (JTA) — The secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services met with United Jewish Communities representatives to discuss health-care reform.
Kathleen Sebelius came to the UJC office here last week as part of a two-day summit of UJC’s Health and Long-term Care Workgroup of federation leaders and executives from across the country. Sebelius gave the group an update on the health-care reform negotiations in the U.S. Congress and discussed the importance of reforming the nation’s long-term care system, a top UJC priority.
"She said any legislation Congress considers this year must provide additional opportunities for home-based and continual care that allows people to be more independent," said a UJC news release.
Lauren Aronson, policy director of the White House Office of Health Reform, as well as a number of members of Congress, also met with the workgroup to discuss the issue.
“With the federation system’s experience, not only as a faith-based organization but also a leading health-care provider, we strongly believe we have a unique perspective on this issue, and as a result, we set up these meetings to ensure the Jewish communities’ priorities were on the forefront of the administration’s and Congress’ minds as efforts move forward," said William Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of UJC/Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington office.
