It's official: Sebelius introduced to Washington
The Associated Press
Monday, March 2, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama turned to Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Monday to help him overhaul a health care system whose cost has risen four times as fast as people's wages in recent years.
"Health care reform that reduces costs while expanding coverage is no longer just a dream we hope to achieve; it's a necessity we have to achieve," Obama said as he introduced Sebelius as his choice to be secretary of health and human services and Nancy-Ann DeParle, a health policy figure during the Clinton administration, to head the White House Office for Health Reform.
"There's no easy formula for fixing our health care system," Obama conceded. But he added: "I didn't come to Washington to take the easy route ... I came here to work for the American people. I came here to deliver the sweeping change that they demanded when they went to the polls in November."
Obama brought Sebelius and DeParle to East Room of the White House on Monday afternoon, just days before he holds a White House summit on health care. Lawmakers from both parties and representatives of major interest groups, from insurers to drug companies to consumers, will attend.
The president also said he would release $155 million in the $787 billion economic stimulus measure to support 126 new health centers to give people more access to primary and preventive health care services. He said he was mindful of the difficulty ahead as he seeks to expand health care coverage, expecting tough choices and likely trade-offs.
Said Sebelius: "The work won't be easy, but bringing about real change rarely is."
Sebelius, who must be confirmed by the Senate, and DeParle will fill roles that the president wanted former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle to hold as he tries to shepherd his health overhaul agenda through Congress.
Daschle would have worn two hats: health secretary and head of a White House health reform office. But Daschle withdrew his nomination after disclosing he had tax problems. That left the new administration scrambling to find a substitute secretary.
Among the 60-year-old governor's first challenges: winning lawmakers' support — and confirmation — to lead a vast bureaucracy that handles everything from Medicare to cancer research to food safety. She will also be a very public face for Obama's plans for health care, although DeParle will handle many of the new policy moves.
If confirmed, Sebelius will assume her new role as the recession has taken its toll on Medicare, which provides health care for older people and the disabled. Plunging tax revenues have weakened the program's giant hospital fund, accelerating its projected insolvency to as early as 2016. That is only about five years after the first baby boomers will start signing up for services.
The Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, is reeling from a seemingly endless series of safety lapses.
Sebelius is seen as a steady hand and an experienced public official who knows how to work across political lines. But she represents Obama's backup plan and will have to establish a working relationship with many key players. Daschle, a former Senate majority leader, intimately knew the ways of Washington and health care stakeholders.
Obama made his opening move on a health care overhaul last week: his speech to Congress and a budget that set aside $634 billion over 10 years as a down payment on coverage for all. It's a goal that could ultimately cost $1 trillion or more.
Obama wants to expand coverage while slowing the rate of increase in costs. Administration officials say they hope that will lead to a more affordable system, without the coverage gaps that leave an estimated 48 million people uninsured.
dougmarshall (anonymous) says...
Let's hope she gets confirmed so we won't have to deal with her here.
March 2, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
That would be nice if it was that simple, but when she nationalizes healthcare and screws that up, we won't be able to even see family practitioners of our choice here in Emporia. We won't have a hospital and we'll have to go see appointed doctors in Topeka when we need exams. I foresee an emergency care clinic much like the health dept already has, overwhelmed and shoddy, here in Emporia and nothing more.
March 2, 2009 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
It's nice to see that you have absolutely no idea on how nationalized healthcare works, oh4thluvof. :)
March 2, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Nice to see that you believe all the media and Hollywood says about it and don't know anyone in New Zealand or Canada that has ever really been sick and needed immediate or long term care and couldn't get it, history_nerd.
March 2, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
My best friend lives in Canada. Nice try.
March 2, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Has you best friend ever been really sick (more than just a penicillin Rx) or needed long-term care? I do believe I qualified that. The system works as long as no one actually needs it for more than the sniffles or a broken bone.
March 2, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MODV9p...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upc7Ah...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_BDCF...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQGq-P...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDI420...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1TEsK...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-L1C...
I don't personally know these people, but they echo what I have been told by the ones I do know. The population of affected Canadians are desperate that we not switch, or both countries are sunk. When they can't come over the border anymore, what will they do. We have a much worse history of money-management (has anyone forgotten that two weeks ago Sebelius couldn't pay government employees?) than Canada. What makes us think we can do it--especially with her? Have you ever had to deal with an HMO: the precursor to nationalized social healthcare?
March 2, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
I'd say that's more error on the part of the treating facility than the system itself. Yes, said friend has been treated for emergencies and received excellent care. Same goes for another friend who studied abroad in England and had to seek out medical attention during her stay.
March 2, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cheymobo (anonymous) says...
I agree, nationalized healthcare works if you only have the sniffles or a broken bone. I actually did a research paper on this. Everybody gets medical care but.... if you need something diagnostic like a MRI or CT scan, you have to wait. Sometimes 3-4 weeks. There is longer wait times too see specialists, and things like chiropractors are not covered On the other hand with nationalized health care.... there is much more preventative care, because everyone has access to medical care. So, the diabetic patient that doesn't go see the doctor because he can't afford to can go, is able to go.... therefore hopefully preventing further complications of the disease (this is only an example). This will make a huge difference on people coming into the hospital so critical. Also, the malpractice insurance is much lower in cost, as well as the amount of money paid out in settlements, and litigation. There are positive and negative things... I say either way it sucks!
March 2, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
Thank God she's going to be gone, I hope the door hits her in the behind on the way out. Get ready for all things Socialist - and then get ready to start campaigning for 2010 so we can take our country back from these idiots. The independents and moderates that voted for Obama are just now starting to have buyers remorse - saying I told you so won't even cover it.
March 2, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
Why are you so bitter that Obama was elected, dale011?
March 2, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nmse_s (Shannon Standard) says...
Gov. Sebelius is also a supporter of abortion rights and has accepted campaign contributions from an abortion doctor George Tiller. Another issue that will come up I'm sure with her being in Washington.
March 2, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Sadly, that's a plus in the current administration. Since President Obama has already been given resistance about appointing her over this very matter and yet went ahead, I don't think he minds much.
March 2, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I don't understand how she can accept a cabinet post unless she doesn't pay her taxes???...... yet another one, this time the nominee for US trade representative didn't pay his taxes....
But that's all nothing - Obama's nominee for Deputy Attorney General, David Ogden, has represtented Playboy & Penthouse - he successfully sought a court order forcing the Library of Congress to use taxpayer funds to print Playboy Magazine’s articles in Braille.
Ogden also successfully challenged laws requiring pornography producers to personally verify that models were over 18 at the time their materials were made. According to the Fidelis brief, he argued that the decision would “burden too heavily and infringe too deeply on the right to produce First Amendment protected material.”
In an amicus brief for the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision which reaffirmed Roe v. Wade’s mandating of permissive abortion laws, Ogden argued that abortion “rarely causes or exacerbates psychological or emotional problems.”
“The few women who do experience negative psychological responses after abortion appear to be those with preexisting emotional problems,” he continued.
He argued that evidence shows abortion is more likely to make women “experience feelings of relief and happiness” and claimed childbirth and childrearing or adoption may pose “concomitant (if not greater) risks or adverse psychological effects” compared to the effects of abortion.
He opposed the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000 as counsel of record for an amicus brief supporting the American Library Association in a case that challenged mandatory anti-obscenity internet filters in public libraries.
Ogden also wrote a friend of the court brief in support of Stephen A. Knox for violating federal anti-child pornography laws. Writing on behalf of the ACLU, Ogden defended the “right” of Knox to view child pornography. He filed a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Knox, who possessed sexually explicit videos of children. Ogden argued that, because the children's genitalia were partially covered by clothing, such exploitation is protected by the First Amendment.
But, never fear....
During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Ogden had what his critics call a “confirmation conversion.” He now claims to abhor child pornography and thinks library filters are important in protecting kids.
What an administration we're putting together here. Wow is all I can say.
March 2, 2009 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Quoting dale011... "Thank God she's going to be gone, I hope the door hits her in the behind on the way out. Get ready for all things Socialist - and then get ready to start campaigning for 2010 so we can take our country back from these idiots. The independents and moderates that voted for Obama are just now starting to have buyers remorse - saying I told you so won't even cover it."
Sorry to tell ya there buddy, I am Independent, and I voted for Obama. Very proudly I must say. And I have yet to see him do something to disappoint me. You go ahead and say I told you so, but it doesn't mean crap to me. I am PROUD to have voted for OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am thrilled Sebelius is on her way to Washington. I approve of the way she has governed Kansas. Better than the likes of the backwards Republicans whom I DIDN'T vote for. Maybe while she is there she can put a good couple words in to push for cleaner energy methods like solar and wind.
People are expecting Obama to perform a miracle overnight. Sadly, they have their heads stuck to far up their arses to realize that NOTHING is an overnight fix. Things do take time to fix, no matter how much or how little money is spent on it. Too bad that these very same people wouldn't take a lesson in life from us farming folk out here in SW Kansas, especially the ones in Greensburg Kansas. We have learned to do things for ourselves, instead of waiting on the government to do it for us. Bunch of spoiled little brats is what I consider all the ones whining and complaining about Obama's non-overnight fix. Big babies, the whole bunch of ya.
March 2, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
hogan77, I'm confused. "We have learned to do things for ourselves, instead of waiting on the government to do it for us."
But, then, you're proud that we now have someone who wants to expand government to take over everything......
(as in "Government is the ONLY solution").....
Those two views just dont jibe very well..... rather contradictory, actually....... you make statements that are pretty much 180 degree polar opposites of each other....??? Are you confused? Because you've sure confused me.....
March 2, 2009 at 11:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
open_eyes:
I have yet to see how the government is trying to take everything over. In my eyes, I feel that President Obama is doing everything he possibly can to help out so many Americans- which he really shouldn't HAVE to do, but is. You may think he is taking away from us, but I certainly do not. I see him as cleaning up a mess that never should have happened in the first place. And evidentally he has seen the irresponsibility of many Americans, otherwise he would not have seen a need to pass a stimulus to bail these people out. I'm surprised you haven't noticed the HUGE mess that we are in. Perhaps that is why he has felt the need to revise things? Because others are irresponsible and careless, and have messed up so much? Hmmm, think on that one for a while.
In the meantime, while he is trying to figure out things for everyone, why don't we spend a little time and a small amount of money to improve our lives on our own? Relocation is sometimes necessary, to find a job. So is returning to college, learning a new trade. Go flip hamburgers for a while if necessary, instead of staying on unemployment and food stamps. Sure, you may not bring home as much, but learn to downsize. Get rid of the internet and TV, and save a bundle. Play board games with your family, or learn to read a book for entertainment. Why buy a home when you can rent for a while? At least then you can have a roof over your head. Learn to walk to work, ride a bike or even carpool to save money on fuel. Sure, you may only save $25-$30 a month, but that is quite a chunk of change at the end of the year. Don't have medical insurance? Learn to use the health department at a reduced rate. Stop eating out, it isn't healthy for you anyway- and that should also reduce your need to see the doctor to begin with, that along with exercise. I visit the doctor once a year, for my healthy woman check up. Which, I get at a reduced rate through our women's health fair. It is actually cheaper then than it is with my co-pay. Try doing solar or wind to power your home. Or replace things like your water heater, use a ceiling fan instead of the AC, keep your heat down to 70 degrees on a winter night and put an extra blanket on the bed. All ways to save money.
Living out here has enabled me to not be in the same kind of trouble so many others are. My husband works full time, just recently quit his second job in fact, we just didn't need the money anymore. I work part time at my local church. We are paying off our home, a three bedroom mobile home which we have slowly been remodeling. We own our car, a 1997 Ford Contour. We just put new tires on it with our state tax refund. We do not live beyond our means, the most expensive thing we have recently bought was a Wii, which my husband worked the second job to save up enough for it. We have no debt, we pay off our medical bills as we go. People could learn something from us.
March 3, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
mrwho:
Watch the first five youtube links I posted yesterday. I prefer to take the testimony of those who have to live it as a nationwide norm, rather than take it from those who are in a small and thereby, rather privatized and limited output system. You assume that we would have access to what the Congressmen have, but you forget that once it's a nationwide system, the incentive for quality doctors decreases and the money has to be stretched much further. Right now, those doctors make a fortune, but once the salary budget drops off, so will the motivation for those doctors to take those jobs. Maybe I didn't broaden my horizons to accept all lies because I could learn comprehensively about the system when it goes large scale and then base my horizons on what I learned.
hogan:
I very much admire your economics and agree with you about how to conduct life, but you voted for a man who seems to believe that the government should make all those decisions for you--I'm not condemning you, but that's why some of us are confused. It seems like an oxymoron.
March 3, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Sorry, but I just do not see Obama as being that type of president. If you see him as being that way, then I am sorry you feel that way. But, I see him as being the man who stepped up to the plate to clean up America's big mess. So far, I think that he is doing everything he knows to do to fix it. I highly doubt that old man McCain would have even gotten this far.
You see things one way, I see them another. We can agree to disagree on the man we have as president, but I still believe that people need to learn to live life as simply as possible, and get themselves out of whatever financial messes they have made, without waiting on a government handout. I will happily leave my comment as that, and go on with myself. I have a month's worth of grocery shopping to get done today, and it isn't going to do it on it's own. Have a good day.
March 3, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slvrnblck (anonymous) says...
I am typically Republican and am for smaller government. However, I voted for Obama this year based on the simple fact that I think he has a chance to get more things accomplished. With Congress also being Democratic, there is no reason they can't get a lot of things done. That being said, in our current situation, I do think we need to have the government step in and right the ship. In a perfect world, Obama will put systems in place and create laws and policies that gets us out of the funk that we are in, and then turn they keys back over to the American people. Do I think it will happen? Way too early to tell, however, Obama has given people hope and that is a big first step.
March 3, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cheymobo (anonymous) says...
President Obama is our president and was elected just the same way every other president was and therefore as the people of the United States we need to SUPPORT the decisions he makes...... and the funny thing is that I bet half of the people on here griping about Pres. Obama and Gov. Sebelius didn't even get off their butts to go vote....
March 3, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
cheymobo
No people should not just mindlessly support every decision a president makes just because they were elected. Were you saying the same thing about all other presidents including W?
I did vote by the way. I voted for the Reform party candidate, Chuck Baldwin.
March 3, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
hogan - I agree with everything you said about tightening our belts & living within our means. But, I'm really curious as to what you see or don't see about Obama's plans. And, where you get your news from, which might have alot to do with it.
You DO realize that this is among the largest expansions of government in US history, if not the largest, correct? Do you realize what that means? Or is that just some irrelevant, meaningless statistic to you? When you say you have yet to see him do anything that disapoints you, then I take it you are ok with someone who has defended child pornographers being appointed Deputy Attorney General? Are you ok with the fact that Congress was not given time to read this huge stimulus bill before they voted on it? It was SUCH a CRITICAL EMERGENCY that they HAD to get it thru IMMEDIATELY. Of course, Obama then took 4 days to sign it, what with Valentine's Day & President's Day & all...... so, if you are ok with signing things before reading them, please send me your address - I've got a stack of documents I would like you to sign, I only ask that you PLEASE do NOT read them first. - LOL
As for the huge mess we are in, how do you feel about someone who once worked as a lawyer forcing banks to give loans to people who couldn't afford them? Or worked training organizations on how to harass banks into giving loand to people who did not qualify? Do you then trust that person to get us out of this "mess"? I grew up on a farm, and I'm quite aware of the mess we are in - for you to say that I haven't noticed it, means you apparently have never read or posted a single thing here before today, and I know that is not true, so I fail to understand just exactly what you meant by that statement. I think I've listed quite a few thing here that perhaps YOU need to think on for awhile....
Nobody here expects an overnight fix, somehow you get the impression that everyone does. From where? We all know this is going to take awhile - question is, he is implementing policies that in the past have never worked, and only made things worse. And we're all big babies? So, what did that make everyone that complained for the last 8 years? As we know, everyone has been 100% on board and respectful for the last 8 years.....
I also constantly hear that this is the worst economic turmoil we've had since the Great Depression. Reagan actually inherited a worse economic situation than Obama did. And how did we get out of that, and how long did it take?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2...
March 3, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
"And evidentally he has seen the irresponsibility of many Americans, otherwise he would not have seen a need to pass a stimulus to bail these people out........Living out here has enabled me to not be in the same kind of trouble so many others are."
So, you believe we need to all chip in and support those who acted irresponsibly? Are you happy that your tax money is going to help out those who acted irresponsibly?
I think I need to plan on an irresponsible spending spree this weekend. After all, then I can be one of "these people" that Obama "sees a need to pass a stimulus bill to bail out". I'm thankful that there are people like you, hogan, who have lived their lives responsibly to enable them to "not be in the same kind of trouble" as I plan on getting into, so that you can help pay for my mistakes.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!! You are an ANGEL!!!!!
Vegas, here I come!!!!! (Plan on blowing all the rest of my mortgage payment money for the rest of the year - hogan is going to help me out, and is very happy to do so) :)
March 3, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
I believe in at least giving the President a chance before making judgments. I wasn't happy when Bush was elected 8 years ago, but I withheld judgment for awhile. Nice mess HE left us with.
March 3, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
history_nerd
"Nice mess HE left us with."
ONE man did not do this. It is ignorant to think so.
March 3, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
We often hear that Clinton left Bush with a budget surplus. Yes, he did. But what else did he leave Bush?
A recession, which would have wiped out the surplus all by itself. Remember the dot-com bubble?
Clinton didn't "leave" Bush with 9/11, but I think he could have took actions before then, when the warning signs were there (like, the 1993 Trade Centers attack) that might have prevented that.
Bush inherited the North Korea "mess" that Clinton gave him, by basically giving him everything he wanted and then looking the other way. Do some research into that.
And lets not even start on the regulations forcing banks to make loans to people who couldn't afford them, and who was involved in parts of that....... and how has all that turned out?
So, every president inherits things that were not of his doing. And I believe in giving them a chance. But, he is pushing us down a road that is going to be more or less permanent, if we do not stop this steamroll. When should we complain? Four years from now? Eight? If you, as many do, opposed the Iraq war, do you wish that there had been more opposition before we went to war? Possibly enough to change our course and prevent us going there? Or, should we wait until we've been there 4-5 years to voice opposition?
I have said I will support my President. That does not mean I support every single decision he makes, nor do I want to stand idly by and see my country destroyed. I will NOT resort to name-calling and spewing a bunch of hate. I will disagree with him respectfully, sometimes passionately, sometimes, fervently, and I will be upfront with my criticism, but I will respect the office and the man. How many of you on the left can honestly say you've done that for the last 8 years?
March 3, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hogan, good posts. I too am a faithful Obama supporter. All the red poison on this thread and elsewhere on these forums is so thick with bitterness and racism it's disgusting. Impatient nay sayers! You'd think the current economy we're experiencing just happened since January 20. Ha! Oh yes, let business take care of itself. Yes indeed.
March 3, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
What racism? And please expain to me, in detail if you would, how the "red poison" is different from what we've heard from the left for 8 years? Please do!
I'm glad you say impatient naysayers. Then, following your lead, I am going to ask those who've screamed about the war to just be patient, 10, 20, 30 years from now, a flourishing democracy in the middle east friendly to the US is going to be a great asset to our country. Impatient nay sayers! LOL
I guess, what you are saying, is that it doesn't matter what happens. Obama plan has already worked. If things are terrible/worse 4 years from now, just be patient. Eight years, be a little more patient. If unemployment hits 10, 12 percent, if our national deficit hits 2 trillion, just be patient. It will eventually come back down to 1.5 trillion.
Ok. Provided you all do the same with everything you've screamed about the last 8 years. Be patient about the war. Be patient about Bush's deficit.
Fair enough?
March 3, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Obama supporters think that if anyone disagrees with him they must be a racists. It's as ridiculous as blaming all the worlds problems on one single man, W. I'm beginning to remember why I took a hiatus from these forums.
March 3, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Juan Williams, who is black, summed it up pretty well on O'Reilly last night. He said he used to think that it was the far-right who was the most close-minded, but experience has shown him that it is the far-left that is much more close-minded and vicious than anything that ever comes from the far right. If you don't agree with them, watch out. I wish I had the full transcript of what he said, I would post it here, but it hasn't been posted yet. Several weeks ago he compared about how you could blast/joke about Bush in every conceivable way, but joking about Obama was disrespectful & racist, and how you could absolutely slaughter Palin, but any slight jabs at Helen Thomas were disgraceful. Like I've said, lots and lots of hypocrisy......
You know what would be alot of fun? Go back thru alot of posts, and replace "Bush" or "Palin" with "Obama" or something, and then read it. I'm sure those that wrote the originals would respond by putting their hands over their ears, closing their eyes, and humming loudly. Which I think they do alot of anyway, to tell you the truth. I can't think of one single poster on here (me included) that has been absolutely faithfully behind Bush100% of the time. He deserves his share of criticism, just like every politician. It's just unbelievable how people are wired sometimes......
March 3, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
mrwho:
Let me repeat myself since you apparently didn't read all of my posts. In reference to the youtube videos, I stated. "I don't personally know these people, but they echo what I have been told by the ones I do know."
In an earlier post I had referred to people in Canada AND New Zealand. You have assumed things about me because you and I see eye to eye only regarding the smoking ban and nothing else. You seem to have picked up on that and are being aggressive toward my posts because my viewpoints irk you. Well, yours irk me too, but I'm willing to get over it.
March 3, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )