WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), today held a hearing with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell providing testimony on the department’s proposed budget.
Chairman Pitts highlighted two new reports in his opening statement. One report from the nonpartisan GAO showing Obamacare enrollment continues to be full of inconsistencies, putting billions of taxpayer dollars at stake. He also highlighted a report published yesterday on the continued troubles of HealthCare.gov from the HHS Inspector General.
Chairman Pitts asked Sec. Burwell about CMS issuing reinsurance payments to insurance companies, instead of sending those billions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury, as the Obamacare statute clearly states. When asked about the legality of these payments, Sec. Burwell did not directly answer the question. While admitting they did not have a legal memorandum on the payments, Secretary Burwell said she was comfortable with their interpretation of the law. Chairman Pitts pointed to another report, this one from Congressional Research Service (CRS), which states, “Insofar as CMS’ interpretation allows the entire contribution of an issuer to be used only for reinsurance payments, such that no part of it is used for the U.S. Treasury contribution, then that would appear to be in conflict with the plain text of § 1341(b)(4)." Sec. Burwell vowed to follow up after reading the report. Watch the full exchange here.
Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) asked Sec. Burwell if her agency plans to cooperate with repeated requests from both Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee for documents relating to the Basic Health Program. The administration has spent $1.3 billion on the program, illegally spending from a permanent appropriation used for tax refunds. Sec. Burwell stated that the agency had produced information and agreed to provide a briefing. Whitfield called their response “meager" and added that the information received has not been the documents the committees have been requesting. “I think we want to continue to work and we will…we are trying to work cooperatively…," answered Sec. Burwell. Watch the full exchange here.
Full committee Chairman Upton (R-MI) discussed H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. During Upton’s opening statement, he highlighted the administration’s interest in the effort and Vice President Biden’s moon shot initiative. “The leadership of the vice president will surely bring a jolt of energy for this important project - the goals of which are consistent with the bill passed by the House last summer," said Upton. “It is important to remember that time is a precious resource, especially for countless patients across the country who can’t wait for another task force. They need action. They need cures now."
Upton also thanked Sec. Burwell for her visit to Flint, Michigan last week, and for her continued focus on the situation at hand. “I look forward to closely working together to ensure that we make it up to the residents of Flint for the many unacceptable failures that have occurred at all levels," said Upton.
For more information on today’s hearing, or Related Items
* The Fiscal Year 2017 HHS Budget
