By David Morgan and Julia Edwards
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sylvia Mathews Burwell pledged on Thursday to take a fresh bipartisan approach to Congress on the law known as Obamacare, one of the most divisive issues in American politics, if confirmed by the Senate as the new U.S. health secretary.
At a Senate hearing charged at times by congressional election rhetoric about President Barack Obama's healthcare law, Burwell said she would build on her record as the current White House budget director by working closely with lawmakers to find solut! ions on shared priorities that transcend parties.
"I'm ! here to serve the American people. I am part of the president's administration. I'm honored to be appointed. First and foremost, I serve the American people," she told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
"I am hopeful that we will have the opportunity to continue to work together closely in the months ahead to deliver impact for the American people."
Burwell came in for some tough questioning from Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who cut her off twice to demand that she answer his question about how she would handle future insurance policy cancellations.
"Ms. Burwell, you have a reputation for competence. And I would respectfully suggest you're going to need it," said Alexander, the committee's top Republican.
"The only thing that will be bipartisan about (Obamacare) will be the opposition to it," he added.
Other Republicans made clear their dislike for the dismal rollout of the HealthCare.gov! website and its lingering technology challenges. They also cited the danger of insurance policy cancellations, hourly cutbacks for part-time workers, rising health insurance costs and "fuzzy Washington math" about the costs and benefits of the program.
Obamacare, which remains unpopular among large numbers of voters, is expected to be the leading Republican campaign issue in November's congressional election battles, in which Republican hope to win control of the Senate.
But at Thursday's hearing, a generally congenial tone made it clear that Burwell will have a smooth path to confirmation with support from both Democrats and Republicans. America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry lobbying and trade group, also issued a statement calling her "uniquely qualified" to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Burwell got a bipartisan introduction from two lawmakers who each described her as a friend: Republican Senator John McCain of Ari! zona and Democratic Senator Joseph Manchin of West Virginia, her home s! tate.
She also won an endorsement from Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee. He praised Burwell for having the "portfolio of experience" needed to address the challenges of fund-strapped, demoralized HHS agencies responsible for regulating food and drugs, combating disease and overseeing biomedical research.
"I will vote for her in the Finance Committee," Burr said. "I look forward to her confirmation being quick and our ability to then work together to be every bit as quick."
Burwell mentioned Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act only once during her a brief opening statement. But throughout the two-hour hearing, she promised lawmakers "common sense implementation" and an engaged approach on specific problems.
She also sought to allay two major Republican fears: that Obamacare will lead to a government-run single-payer health system and that the cost-cutting Independent Payment! Advisory Board (IPAB), disparaged by foes as a "death panel," would put elderly and disabled Medicare beneficiaries at risk.
Burwell pledged to implement the law's goal of extending private health coverage through a market-based system. But she predicted that per capita Medicare spending would remain too low to activate IPAB during her tenure.
Last year, Burwell sailed through the Senate on a 96-0 vote to become Obama's budget director.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Caren Bohan and Dan Grebler)
- Politics & Government
- Health
- Barack Obama
- Sylvia Mathews Burwell
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/senate-panel-grill-obamas-nominee-u-health-secretary-050156800--sector.html
