Sebelius' actions under microscope as she rolls out health law

May 29 2013

News outlets report how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has become a "lightning rod" for criticism as the administration's central player responsible for implementing the high-stakes law.

The Fiscal Times: Sebelius Defends Another Administration Misstep
During her early years as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius operated largely in the shadows of the Obama White House while Congress and administration officials thrashed out the details of the Affordable Health Care Act … But in the run-up to the formal launching of Obamacare, Sebelius surfaced as the administration's central player in implementing the new legislation -; and became a lightning rod for the growing criticism leveled at the legislation (Pianin, 5/24).

The Hill: Sebelius On Hot Seat Amid Rising Angst Over ObamaCare Rollout
Kathleen Sebelius is in the hot seat amid rising angst over the administration's implementation of ObamaCare. The Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary is implementing the biggest change to the nation's healthcare system in decades, and the stakes couldn't be higher (Viebeck, 5/27).

CNN Money: IRS Role In Obamacare
The IRS has a big target on its back these days. Its leaders have been pummeled on Capitol Hill over inappropriate targeting of Tea Party groups applying for tax-exempt status. And some Republicans say they want the IRS to stop issuing and enforcing rules related to Obamacare at least until a federal investigation of the case is over. Republicans have tried repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And it's unclear whether the IRS scandal will let them slow-walk the law's implementation (Sahadi, 5/28).

In other news -

The Washington Post: Political Intelligence Firms Set Up Investor Meetings A White House
Wall Street investors hungry for advance information on upcoming federal health-care decisions repeatedly held private discussions with Obama administration officials, including a top White House adviser helping to implement the Affordable Care Act. The private conversations show that the increasingly urgent race to acquire "political intelligence" goes beyond the communications with congressional staffers that have become the focus of heightened scrutiny in recent weeks (Hamburger, 5/26).