them incentives. and the cabbieto ensure that tht have incentive to go the biological weapons direction. i do not see the possibility that any of the countries we talked about would have the ability to compete united states with united. . ,,,, with respect to our nuclear capabilities. in addition to that, if we

continue to develop our conventional capabilities, our missile defense capabilities, and our counter proliferation capabilities, then we will see less and less of an advantage of going down that path. >> [inaudible] if i could -- with the elevation of terrorism would the npr, what new programs -- with the npr, new programs are needed? if it is not russia and china that are the rest but proliferation and terrorism -- how you contain the warheads? that seems like a high number. >> let's start with the 15 it 58 warheads. that number was the product of negotiations with the russian federation. the npr did extensive analysis

with respect to the united states, with respect to both warheads and delivery vehicles. so, that number is one that's is -- that is associated with the product of negotiation. while parity -- perhaps the parity with respect to overall numbers is certainly not as important as it had been in the cold war, we still believe the approximate parity is important, in particular concerning deployment systems. to make sure there are not misunderstandings on either side and there is no disadvantage or advantage. as we go down a new start treaty and taking steps, fallen ratification and entry into the courts, we ought to do it by -- following ratification and entry to the courts, we ought to do it by working together. >> the npr clear this is not

just about warheads. this is taking -- the npr makes clear this is not just about warheads. this is taking the totality of what we have been working on. as you heard earlier -- $2.7 billion, the largest non- proliferation program in the world this country is putting forth. we have increases in our work, bringing materials, securing materials at the site themselves where they are located. installing radiation detector equipment, to make sure that we are there. and as we talked about earlier, the gentleman asked the question about exercising capability. that capability does not take care of the nuclear weapons itself. it takes care of non- proliferation, nuclear terrorism, forensics, emergency management, and downstream. it is a broad sector for

security activities that are indeed supported by foundational work. that is why we have that capability. that is why you see such a tremendous investment on the part of the administration to bring overall in the department of energy or the national nuclear security administration -- a very significant growth in fy 11. it is a clear indication the administration really understands this problem. >> thank you. before you go -- back here? >> yes. can you say more about the follow-on studies you have to do? >> of course. the president has directed that we study the potential next steps in arms control following the ratification and the new start treaty. that will include a number of

steps. an assessment of future returns requirements. consideration of the overall balance between deployed and not deployed materials, and thinking about the hedge, where we can bring additional weapons in. it will depend in part also on our success in getting congressional approval so we can shift -- we have a certain amount of hedge for technical problems -- to shift to one that keeps a warhead of line that can be brought back in if there is a problem. -- all were head off line that can be brought back in if there is a problem. to make sure there is a warhead that is sustainable over time. all these are factors going for work. we've begun the work associated with that. we have a number of studies as

well. we really need to bring these together. this is analysis that is under way, but it will take a period of time to complete. >> [unintelligible] [laughter] >> go ahead. can you walk us through the practical steps that need to be taken as strategic command to actualize policy changes -- at strategic command to act was policy changes? how is fighting being changed so that the general cannot meet his requirements with fewer warheads? >> -- can meet his requirements with fewer warheads? >> once we have this distributed and we have all the annexes and all the pieces so

they have an understanding of what the guidance is in some detail, then we will go into a review from a policy perspective on guidance that would be appropriate under these new regimes, so to speak. that will then manifest itself in a direction of attributes that's stratcom would be asked to make sure they are part of the deterrent strategy inconsistent when you start talking about proportionality, about targeting, things like that. it will lead to an evolution of what we will do these weapons and delivery platforms. i expect that will take a summer in the neighborhood of one to two years. -- somewhere in the neighborhood of one to two years. note that we also have to come into compliance with the numbers under this equation. i expect each year we will revisit and it will be a set of milestones that is a journey

toward the number of vehicles or weapons, and have that be consistent but with the policy -- but with the policy and realizing that policy. >> -- both with the policy and realizing that policy. >> i want to thank you. thank you very much. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> we will take you live now on never to the national press club. the health and human services secretary kathleen stapelia speaking to reporters. it is started -- sebelius speaking to reporters. it started just a few minutes ago. the u.s. secretary is putting state officials on alert for scam attempts. this is live on c-span. >> we know the only way the law will reach its full potential as if americans understand and take advantage of the new benefits and forces that will be

available to them. so here are some of the facts. if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. if you like your health plan, and your health plan. the law builds on the health insurance system that we have and makes three key changes. first, it makes sure that every american who has an insurance policy gets real security by creating a series of common sense rules of require insurance companies to treat you fairly. secondly, in making insurance more affordable for millions of americans by creating a new insurance market called exchanges and creates tax benefits for those who need additional financial help. it brings cost down for families, businesses, and governments with the broadest cost care rigid cost-cutting package ever. it includes every serious idea for help savings proposed over the last year. that is the basic outline the --

out line. -- it includes every series i did for health savings proposal last year. it would not give us a enough time to design a new functional health marketplace. since the president's goal was to strengthen the current system for all americans without disrupting it, we took a different approach. the law and limits reforms quickly, but not all at once. -- implements reforms quickly, but not all at once. it is a series of a puzzle pieces. we know we had to give some immediate relief to millions of americans struggling with the current health-care system. for many of them, there really is a help right away. currently -- for example, starting this year, seniors in the doughnut hole will get a rebate check sometime between

now and the end of the year to help them avoid their medicine. there is a new tax credit available in 2010 to help small business owners, like the man who wrote me and said he was near the breaking point as a small-business owner. with increases, and eventually he will be forced to go out of business -- essentially he will be forced to a business or drop insurance altogether. we're making insurance more affordable for americans to already have it. the new rule ends lifetime caps on limits. so, too, are rule that prevents insurance companies from canceling coverage when you get sick, which happens to americans every day. the new law makes it easier for americans to get interest. right now is totally illegal for insurance companies to refuse to cover children with a pre-existing condition. we have an insurance system that

often exclude young people, sick kids, who needed the most. starting this fall, the practice is outlawed. the benefits will have to be covered and the children will have to be covered on policies. we're also creating a high risk temporary pool program that is available to adults who are currently shut out of insurance because of their pre-existing condition. and young adults who need coverage will be able to stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26. all of that happens this year. during the early years of implementation, we will be working with providers across the country to turn medicare into a quality-driven, high- value healthcare purchaser. when seniors walk into the hospital, they should get the best care possible each and every time. and we run the world's largest health insurance program, so medicare has a lot of clout when it leads by example. history has shown that if

medicare can fund smarter ways to pay for health care, other insurers will copy them and we will all get better results. under the new law, americans will start getting more control over their health care this year. by this fall, it will be easier for seniors to get medicine, it easier for families and young adults to get coverage, it easier for small businesses to cover their workers, and every american who has health insurance will have more security. if you of questions about what happens this year or want to see the whole list of first-year benefits, i encourage you to visit our website early and often. healthreform.gov. what is going to make these 2010 reforms more effective is that they really build on significant improvements that were made to the health care system in 2009. it is part of the story that a lot of people have already overlooked. for example, one of the first built the president obama signed into law was the chi

reauthorizationp act. by the end of -- the chip reauthorization act. we have enrolled at thousands more children in the chip program . then with the passage of the recovery act, again in early 2009, which was primarily on job creation bill but also one of the biggest health innovation bills in american history. under the earth cover react, -- under the health recovery act, we expanded -- almost doubled -- community health centers which provide quality health care to all americans every year, invested in the national health service corps increased the held

work force, especially in underserved areas -- increased the health work force, especially in underserved areas. i saw an example of the improved care in 21st century the liver yesterday when i was in and deliver yesterday when i was in cincinnati in visit a children's hospital. a very innovative technology's system, dealing with some of the sickest kids not only in the ohio region, but they gather children who come there from across the country and from international sources because they are renowned for doing some very complicated surgeries. i visited the neonate as intensive care unit, and part of why -- the neonative intensive care unit, and part of why they're so successful is the electronic records. they've had 1000 days in hospital without any safety

incidents. they do it with an automated check list that appears at every incubator, at every crib, reminding providers of the various steps of have to be taken iquitos little setting a safe and secure as possible. -- have to be taken to keep the hospital saving -- hospital setting as safe and security as possible. we have health technology grants we have health technology grants that create health i.t. no carr2

of those building blocks of 2009 are now the templates the new reform has added to in 2010, and we end up seeing the health-care system market is easy to get coverage, it easier to afford care, it easier to find a doctor, to make healthy choices, to access your own information. a health care system more americans will get a lot more help for what they are currently spending. the changes create a foundation for 2014 and some of the major features of the new law kick in. that is when the health insurance exchanges become available and tax credits become available for individuals and families to help buy insurance coverage. this is a huge breakthrough for health care consumers, some of whom to not have health care coverage of all, some of whom are desperately underinsured. for the first time, the question so many people write to me --

"where can i find affordable insurance?" -- will have an easier question. instead of having dozens of websites and shopping in a market on your own, there will be a one-stop shop for the benefits for different plans will be clearly listed and cost will be compared. as part of the new law. we want to make sure every american knows about the benefits that come out of it. or the next several months we will be reaching out directly to americans across the country, to make sure they know how to take advantage of the benefits in the new law. we've already begun to educate seniors about prescription drug assistance. we'll put out a series of fact she said explain step-by-step to small business owners how they can collect their health care tax credit this year. soon we will have similar fact sheets for employers who want to take advantage of the new reinsurance program that has

this year that will help them provide coverage for early retirees. again, book marking the website -- healthreform.gov -- will give regular updates on these reforms as they are put in place. you can go there to read fact sheets, watch weekly web chat or we will take questions from around the country. we will broadcast information about the bill more loudly. we realize a number populations need to reach may not be so tech savvy, so we are going to reach out in collaboration. for years, americans have struggled with the health insurance system that was opaque, unnecessarily confusing, and often overwhelming to navigate. our goal as we implement this law is to be the opposite of that, to be as clear and transparent as possible. as soon as we know something, we are going to tell you. but ultimately, we recognize

that actions to speak louder than words. and no matter how good a job we do educating americans about the benefits for them in the bill, it will not be much use unless we also implement those policies responsibly and effectively. the president has already said to me many times we need to get this right. the letters i get every day make it clear we have the time to waste. in the week since the president sign this historic legislation into law, we're already acting. we are restructuring medicare and medicaid services so it is better prepared to take on new responsibilities under health insurance reform. last friday, we started working with some of my former colleagues as governors to create high risk pools that will help uninsured americans with pre-existing condition that they need to get coverage. now, today, we are sending new

guidance to medicare advantage plans which provides stronger cost protection for all seniors. later this month, we will help lower income adults. unfortunately, some scam artists are moving just as quickly. we've heard reports for least a couple of states to report croaks trying already to capitalize on the new law in setting up 1-800 numbers, going door-to-door in senior since -- senior centers, trying to sell fraudulent insurance. it is totally outrageous. i sent a letter today to my former colleagues, the state insurance commissioners, into our state's attorney support -- attorneys general. we're putting seniors particularly on notice that medicare's ills are not conducted door-to-door on the

usual basis. the -- medicare sales are not conducted door-to-door on the usual basis. of the next few years we will be were working with consumers, providers, and seniors to get reform right. many benefits are carried out at the state level. i did serve for eight years as an insurance commissioner and i know how tough regulators can be. that is what the states are presumed to have the ability to over suit -- oversee the development of consumer exchanges and provide consumer protection. the law provides assistance to states, but when it comes to assistance, we assume the people on the ground know best. i have also served as governor and i understand the kind of budget challenges states across the country are facing, and what i have said over and over again is that this bill is an incredibly state-friendly bill.

there's no question as the market begins to expand in 2014, part of the law makes that health care coverage of partnership between the states and federal government. -- a partnership between the state and federal government. in 2014, at the federal government takes 100% of the bill. there are some new costs by an insurance expansion borne by the state, but i would argue those costs are far balanced by new benefits for the states, including less spending uncompensated care, which states spend on each and every day, savings from reduced insurance paperwork, more resources from the federal government to cover children in every state. more money back from drug programs. more money back to crack down on fraud and abuse.

and that does not count the people who have better care, live healthier lives, and end up with more productive workers. as a former governor, i can say unequivocally is this had been offered during my years as a governor, i would have taken this as -- at a heartbeat. in closing today, i want to share operating principles to make sure the full benefits of this luggage all the american people. first, we will be transparent -- the full benefits of this lot reach all the american people. first, we will be transparent. -- the full benefits of this law will reach all american people. we have something we call our medicare-board. this is an online tool that will make it much easier -- we call our medicare dashboard.

this is an online tool that will make it much easier. we are launching inpatient hospital data where you will be able to sort by state, by condition, and by hospital, making price comparisons for the first time ever. it is just the first step of many we will be giving consumers and purchasers so they can make smarter truces. secondly, we believe we have to make every dollar counts. and eliminating waste and fraud in our health-care system is a key part of the law. is the principle we will provide for every step -- it is a principle we will provide for every step of implementation. we will be depending heavily on the systems already in place, not starting on the assumption we need to build a new bureaucracy. our department has incredible talent, a great resources, and expertise in the health-care system. as we move forward, we rely on

our existing resources as much as possible to fulfil our new responsibilities under the law. third and most important -- we do not want to lose sight of why we pursue this legislation in the first bus, fought so hard for it, and -- first place, fought so hard for it, and are celebrating. i have read letter after letter from families and small businesses to feel totally powerless and the existing health insurance for them -- system we have. their premiums go up every year and they do not understand why. they argue with their insurance company, but they are afraid -- they would argue with their insurance company, but they are afraid their coverage would be canceled. they do not have option to. sometimes with pre-existing conditions, they absolutely no the cannot get another policy. even americans who have good insurance worry about next month or next year, worry about their

kids, worry about their families. they seem more and more of their paychecks eaten up by rising premiums every year and they know how quickly the partial security they have to disappear if they lost their jobs or switch jobs or retire. -- they know how quickly the partial security they have would disappear lost their jobs. we will set basic guidelines that will help foster a competitive insurance market, serving as an umpire to make sure insurance companies treat all americans fairly and providing targeted resources to help consumers. ultimately, this is not about us. it is about the american people. it is about giving americans more choices, more security, more control. there will be bumps along the way. there are going to be some twists and turns. it will not be easy. after decades of standing still, we are finally moving forward. again, i am pleased to be with you and would be happy to take your questions if you have some

questions. [applause] >> thank you for your address, secretary. first of all, i want to apologize if i call you "governor," as i asked you some of questions when you were governor and i work for the wichita "eagle." i am sure your family and my family are falling the -- following the progress of kansas. regarding your first statement that you would have jumped at this opportunity had you been governor of the state when this plan came through, several governors in several states have not jump at this opportunity. in fact, they are suing the government, trying to stop this plan. kansas is not one of them, but several states are. within gearing up for a big

legal battle, why do you think this happened -- with them gearing up for a big legal battle, why you think this happened? >> >i think the vast majority of lawsuits have been filed by attorneys general in states where they have some interest in higher office. in consultation with our legal team and their consultation with the justice department -- first of all, we are confident the law is on solid constitutional ground, firm ground. i am going to let the lawyers debate the situation. our focus has to be on educating people what is in the law, how it will work to their benefit. that is how we will spend our time and energy. we are confident the legal