Chao, who now works for the Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C., think tank, as well as serving occasionally as a correspondent for Fox News, addressed some 600 people at the Civic Center on Friday as part of Bradley University's Falcon Executive Lecture Series. "I think most people agree there needs to be improvements in health care, but the math doesn't work out - adding 40 million new participants to a Medicare-type program without increasing taxes," she said, referring to a Democratic proposal. "First, I think health care reform needs to be put off for awhile because of the present economic state of the country. Second, I think there needs to be a full vetting with a robust discussion of the implications of the various proposals," said Chao, who spoke with Bradley business students on campus before her speech. Elaine Chao was the first Asian American to serve as director of the Peace Corps. She has served as the nation's Secretary of Labor since 2001.
Elaine Chao thinks the present administration may be overstepping when it comes to the health care debate
Ex-labor chief: Put brakes on health bill
Bush Cabinet member Elaine Chao says reform needed but time not right
By Steve Tarter
of the Journal Star
Posted Aug 28, 2009 @ 10:41 PM
PEORIA -
The secretary of labor under President George W. Bush thinks the present administration may be overstepping when it comes to the health care debate.
"I believe this administration is pushing its health care proposals too quickly," said Elaine Chao in an interview with the Journal Star.
Chao, who now works for the Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C., think tank, as well as serving occasionally as a correspondent for Fox News, addressed some 600 people at the Civic Center on Friday as part of Bradley University's Falcon Executive Lecture Series.
"I think most people agree there needs to be improvements in health care, but the math doesn't work out - adding 40 million new participants to a Medicare-type program without increasing taxes," she said, referring to a Democratic proposal.
"First, I think health care reform needs to be put off for awhile because of the present economic state of the country. Second, I think there needs to be a full vetting with a robust discussion of the implications of the various proposals," said Chao, who spoke with Bradley business students on campus before her speech.
As the only Cabinet member to serve all eight years of the Bush presidency, Chao supports her former boss. "I think history will treat President Bush kindly. They'll recognize that, in his time, America was not attacked by terrorists after 9-11."
Born in Taiwan, Chao, 51, was the first Asian-American woman appointed to a Cabinet-level position.
"I'm happy to be in Peoria. I came here (to the United States) when I was 8, so I want to see every part of this country," she said.
Chao added she remains focused on employment and jobs issues. "I'm also very concerned about our aging work force."
"Other countries are also concerned about that. I just came back from China where, within the next 25 years, they are looking at 21 percent of the population being over the age of 65," said Chao.
"China is so concerned that there are reports that the country is re-evaluating its one-child policies in certain cities."
Chao said that Social Security remains an issue. "President Bush tried to address the issue in 2005. We need a national dialogue to shore up the Social Security program. When the program was started in 1934, 16 workers supported one retiree. Now, only three workers support a retiree."
The former Labor Department chief was cautiously optimistic about a possible end to the nation's recession.
"There are budding signs that our economy may be poised for recovery, but if the right public policies aren't taken, we could plunge back into a recession."
Steve Tarter can be reached at 686-3260 or starter@pjstar.com.
