Shalala speaks on women's issues

Addresses future ofAddresses future ofhealth care and welfare United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala focused on women's issues in her address to several hundred members of the University community yesterday. Shalala spoke as the keynote speaker of the spring meeting of the Trustees' Council of Penn Women. "[She's] a distinguished member of the federal government," said University President Judith Rodin, who sits on the Council. "We're delighted to have her here. "We've seen her in an advocacy role in research universities as well as for the important role she has in Health and Human Services," Rodin added. Shalala explained that she came to the University to speak about women's issues, including health care and welfare. "The debates that are going on in Washington are very much about women and women's lives," she said. Shalala noted that the future of health care reform efforts will affect the sacrifices made by members of younger generations in caring for their parents and grandparents. "What happens to women in poverty is important -- we've changed our attitudes about who should go to work in America," she added. "So? health care and welfare? are both women's issues." Shalala also talked about college women, noting that the current generation of students represents a "new world of women at work." "Girls at the University of Pennsylvania have been flocking to classrooms, to libraries and to laboratories to see the promise of tomorrow," she added. But Shalala was quick to point out that though women have gained power over the years, "our work is far from done." She noted that 14 million American women over the age of 18 live in poverty. One in five children and 60 percent of African American and Latino households headed by women also fall below the poverty level. And Shalala explained that people make a rational choice to stay within the current welfare system, since once they leave and find a low-level job, they often find themselves without health care and necessary services. Shalala said she hopes to reform the nation's welfare system and improve health care while containing health costs. Women's Campaign Fund President Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, a member of the Trustees' Council and a former congressional representative, commented on the importance of Shalala's visit to the University. "I think it's indicative of, a) having more women in high places in government, and b) having those women interested in getting other women involved and doing it by example," she said. And Trustees' Council Chairperson Elsie Sterling Howard said she thought that Shalala was "right on target." "The issues she raised are the issues our generation will have to deal with," she said. "It's not valuable not to go off welfare and go into the work force. "For me, it was a terrific speech," Howard added. "I am delighted that she could be here today."