House Medicare Advocate Denies Conflict of Interest

The House’s leading Republican strategist on Medicare and one of the health care industry’s most prominent lobbyists both issued written statements Monday strongly denying that they had engaged in any inappropriate behavior affecting legislation, following a Bakersfield newspaper’s report that the two had become involved in a personal relationship.

Rep. William M. Thomas (R-Bakersfield), in a statement posted in the House press gallery, said: “I have never traded a public responsibility for a personal one, and I never will.” He added: “Any personal failures of commitment or responsibility to my wife, family or friends are just that, personal.”

Thomas, 58, issued his statement in response to an article published Sunday in the Bakersfield Californian, which said the congressman had maintained a close personal relationship with Deborah Steelman, a onetime aide to former President Bush who is now a paid lobbyist representing major health care firms. Steelman, who is in her mid-40s, has also been an influential advisor on health care issues in GOP circles.

In her statement, Steelman said: “The insinuations in the Bakersfield newspaper are repulsive. To suggest I would stoop to an ‘inappropriate relationship’ to achieve legislative results is repugnant and sexist.” She added that she has often met with Thomas in a professional capacity in discussions about Medicare reform.

The congressman’s wife, Sharon H. Thomas, wrote a letter to the newspaper saying: “None of this is any of your business.”

William Thomas’ statement came just days before the House is scheduled to vote on major Medicare legislation that he is sponsoring.

The story in the Californian said Thomas and Steelman have been involved in a personal relationship for much of the past year, raising questions about whether Steelman’s clients might have received favored treatment as Thomas was helping craft legislation that would affect their interests.

The report contained no assertion that Thomas had done any specific legislative favors for Steelman. Also, there is no indication that anyone has lodged a complaint about Thomas’ connection to Steelman with the House ethics committee.

It would not be surprising if Thomas held views on health care similar to Steelman’s. Along with the GOP congressional leadership, Thomas frequently votes in alignment with positions taken by drug firms and health care providers.

Still, the report and Thomas’ response come at an awkward moment for the 11-term House member. This week, he is spearheading the politically sensitive GOP effort to pass a Medicare prescription drug benefit; the bill could come to a vote as soon as Wednesday.

The GOP plan would create incentives for private health care companies and insurers to offer voluntary prescription drug packages to Medicare beneficiaries. Democrats counter that the federal government should establish one universally available plan on financial terms more generous to elderly patients who live on fixed incomes.

Trent Duffy, a spokesman for Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, said he did not believe the Californian’s report on Thomas would damage the prospects of the GOP bill. Thomas, Duffy said, has been “integrally involved” in the bill but is not its sole author.

Thomas, a former Bakersfield Community College political science instructor, was first elected to the House 22 years ago. On Capitol Hill, he is known as a lawmaker who can master the most arcane subject but sometimes loses patience with those who can’t keep up.

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Times staff writer Faye Fiore contributed to this story.