By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Sept. 11, 2009 – When America has a cold, African Americans have the flu.  And with health care reform the number one issue now driving economic policy the old adages is taking on a whole new meaning for Black families.

Do I need to remind you Black communities represent a disproportionate number of the unemployed, underinsured and uninsured? 

On Thursday I spoke with the president’s top White House advisor to hear firsthand what the president’s reform could  mean for African Americans.  Nancy Ann DeParle, the health care czar praised the president’s address to the joint session of Congress, “It was a great speech and the president is determined to get this done,” she said.

DeParle, the former administrator for the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid told me African Americans could benefit from the president’s plan because of health disparities that exist in the community.  [Blacks suffer higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease compared to their White counter parts.]  “If they have insurance they’ll have stability and security and protection they haven’t had before,” she said.

And the uninsured will have access to affordable insurance options that offer choice, she said.   When I asked if the president was backing away from the public option, DeParle maintained that there are “different types of public option plans” with various payment rates, but all work toward the same goal: creating “affordable options.”

DeParle echoed the president’s support for the public option.  The administration maintains it will keep the insurance companies honest and the not-for-profit insurer would help keep cost down for everyone who wants to purchase health insurance.  “When there is no competition people don’t often get treated right,” DeParle said.

It’s still debateable how large of an olive branch Obama extended across the aisle Wednesday, but DeParle pointed to suggestions from Republicans already included in the president’s plan.  She noted Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) suggestion to create a high risk pool for very sick individuals as one.  “There are Republican ideas in the plan the president talked about last night,” she said.

Moving  forward the goals continues to be creating affordable health care, keeping cost deficit natural, and slowing overall  cost growth.   DeParle noted, for this to happen they [Congress]  just need to “find a sweet spot” where everyone can come together.

That may be the tough part.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

March 3, 2009 – Monday’s appointment of Nancy Ann DeParle to serve as the White House lead on health care reform was particularly interesting to me.  You see, I once worked for DeParle back when she still hyphenated her name “Minn-De Parle.”

It only goes to show how small the Washington circle really can be.  I doubt DeParle remembers much about our almost two years together even though I reported directly to her. She was focused, and clearly on the fast track at Health and Human Services.

It’s no surprise she landed this post.

I recall when she came to the top spot as the administrator of the agency that runs the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  I was over the communications offices for the agency and she followed another highly-respected policy wonk, Bruce Vladeck.

There was always a distant rumor that she was eyeing the secretary post should then-Secretary Donna Schalala have made an early departure.  Of course Schalala stayed until the end of the Clinton Administration so that was never an issue.

DeParle’s landing this job is no surprise.  At age 29, she became Tennessee’s Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, one of the youngest folks to ever do so, and like others on the Obama team, she has the Clinton connections.

I remember her as a feisty and energetic colleague who juggled several balls in the air at one time.  She either liked you or she didn’t, and she sometimes had very little patience for the bureaucratic process.  It will be interesting to watch how she co-leads health care reform with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and how persuasive she’ll be with Congress.

Sebelius, a two-term Democratic governor in a Republican state will most likely be the lead on congressional outreach, but DeParle will be called upon to do some arm-twisting in the health care industry and my guess is that will be her strong suit.

I’ll have to check in with her at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue once she settles in: Long-time-no-see, Nancy Ann.