America's healthcare system is frustrating and is becoming more and more expensive, putting paid to people's hopes of getting the medical services they need, Indian-American Seema Verma, who has been nominated by US President Donald Trump for a key health position, has said. Seema told members of the Senate Finance Committee during her confirmation hearing on Thursday that she was "deeply concerned" by the all-round frustration in the US' healthcare system.
"I am deeply concerned about our healthcare system. There is frustration all around," said Seema, who has been nominated for the position of Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If confirmed by the Senate, Seema in this position is likely to be a key figure in the Trump Administration to the President's plan of repealing the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. Appearing before the powerful Senate Finance Committee for her confirmation hearing, Seema said she was "extremely humbled" to be nominated by the US President.
"It is a testament to the fact that the American Dream is very much alive for those willing to work for it. My parents made a lot of sacrifices along the way to provide me with opportunities they didn't have," she said. Seema said it was her passion to continue to work on the frontlines of healthcare, changing and improving this country's healthcare delivery system.
"Doctors are increasingly frustrated by a number of costly and time-consuming burdens, and quite frankly, many Americans are not getting the care that they need. We have a long way to go in improving health outcomes," she told lawmakers. "Healthcare continues to grow more and more expensive and the American people are tired of partisan politics. They just want their healthcare system fixed," she said in her testimony, adding that she understands what is at stake. "I have never stood on the sidelines of our nation's healthcare debate, merely pointing out what is wrong with our healthcare system. I have spent my entire life helping the most disadvantaged in our society receive the kind of accessible, affordable and competent healthcare service that our country's healthcare system is renowned for," she said.
