Following the reports of his tax problems, yet another story came out tonight which could be embarrassing to Tom Daschle. Daschle earned $220,000 speaking before health care companies he will be involved in regulating:
Jenny Backus, a spokeswoman for Daschle, said the hundreds of thousands of dollars he earned in speaking fees from health care interests do not pose conflict for the health care reform Obama wants him to lead.
“He welcomed every opportunity to make his case to the American public at large and the health industry in particular that America can’t afford to ignore the health care crisis any longer,” she said.
Among the health care interest groups paying Daschle for speeches were America’s Health Insurance Plans, $40,000 for two speeches, CSL Behring, $30,000, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, $16,000, and the Principal Life Insurance Co., $15,000.
This might not be enough to disqualify Daschle from being confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services but, despite the claims of his spokeswoman, receiving such money from these companies could be taken as a conflict of interest as he proposes legislation which would affect the companies who have paid him to speak.
A radio talk show host, here in Chicago, put the speaking fees in great perspective.
If they pay you $1,000 for a speech, they are paying to hear what you have to say.
If they pay you $20,000, they are looking for favors.