Rep. Steve Scalise (R., La.) sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner David Stern requesting information on their interactions with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to Americans for Tax Reform.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced this week that the Obama administration is negotiating an alliance with the NFL and NBA to promote Obamacare.
Scalise said he is concerned with the "disturbing pattern by the Obama administration to inappropriately solicit support for their policies by entities that they oversee and regulate."
He wrote:
A recent report shows that your fans and business partners in my state of Louisiana, home to the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, could face health insurance premium increases of as much as 56 percent. Families and small businesses who decline to purchase or offer government-approved health insurance will be forced to pay exorbitant taxes to the federal government, the likes of which our nation has never seen.
In light of these devastating realities and the recent investigation into actions by Secretary Sebelius to solicit privating funding for the implementation of PPACA, I would like you to provide answers to the following questions:
- Has the NFL or the NBA been asked by HHS to contribute funds or in-kind services to any third-party organization aiding in the promotion or implementation of PPACA? If so, please provide details.
- Has the NFL or the NBA been asked by HHS to encourage enrollment in the new health insurance exchanges or other aspects of PPACA? If so, please provide details.
- Given your previous and ongoing business with HHS and other federal agencies, do you find helping to promote the Obama Administration’s most important legislative priority a potential conflict of interest? Please provide details.