HHS Secretary Sebelius Testifies Before Senate Finance Committee [LIVE THREAD]

CSPAN ^ | November 6, 2013

[don-o]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on the federal insurance exchange website and other issues related to the Affordable Care Act.

Her testimony comes exactly one week after she appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee where she apologized to the public for what she called the "debacle." Secretary Sebelius and other administration officials have said that problems with the healthcare.gov website will be fixed by the end of this month.

During her testimony today, she talks about the progress being made in that effort. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) chairs the committee while Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) serves as the ranking member.

[Whenifhow]

Here’s what has been posted so far - Roberts video should be soon though.

Max Baucus Grills Kathleen Sebelius: Why Not Shut Down Website & Get It Done Right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqTM0AaFXW4

Senator Orin Hatch Goes in on Kathleen Sebellius in regards to Obamcare Debacle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmPvHjK1qw4

[Drill Thrawl]

...hope for passion lies with Enzi, Thune and possibly Toomey.

Toomey? Not that is funny. Arlen Toomey got into office with help from conservatives and the Tea Party. Now that he is in he no longer needs them and votes like the RINO squish that he is.

It's amazing the number of Tea Party turncoats that are now in office.

Flake, Rubio, Toomey,... all scum

- Drill spits...

[Seattle Conservative]

You’re a good husband! I think that is a very creative gift and you took the time to provide something special (applause to you!). If you haven’t guessed it, I’m a woman :-)

I’ve noticed that the past few years, my sister and BIL buy a few things for each other, then give a gift card for Macy’s, Nordstroms, Sports Authority, etc. I know from watching my parents, it gets harder to purchase for a spouse over the years. The worst mistake my stepdad ever made was going to a store (IIRC Nordy’s) described my Mom to the sales clerk and brought home a beautiful outfit - - only problem was, it was a size 14 and she wore a size 8 at the time. She was cool in the way she handled it. He vowed never to purchase clothes for her again - LOL!

[advertising guy]

this should be a War of the World yet the only weapon in theatre is a straw launchin spitballs

[don-o]

Ben Cardin (D- MD) “The fundamentals are sound.”

There’s that parallel universe again.

[rainee]

Think her name is Ann Hand.

During the 1996 presidential campaign, wearing the pin “became a symbol for women who were supporting the president,” said Lewis. She worked on women’s outreach issues back when she was deputy campaign manager and director of communications for the Clinton-Gore re- election campaign.

** I also remember Cindy McCain wearing one & reading some blog/article that claimed its not an Eagle but a Phoenix..symbol of the Illuminati/New World Order. The blog stated this proved the McCains are closet Clinton supporters. Makes sense!

[Whenifhow]

Ben Cardin (D- MD)
asks what are you doing about website?
Sebelius - response included pushing the navigators - why is it we have navigators at all - especially those going door to door??
She didn’t really mention what she is doing to fix the website?

[A Navy Vet]

This website investigation is a waste of time. The site will eventually be fixed. The real questions that should be asked are:
Why are so many already experiencing obscene increases in their insurance policies?:
Why are so many companies cancelling long-standing policies?:
Why are so many companies cutting back on full-time employment?:
Why are so many Doctors retiring and/or refusing to take new patients?:
And even though she is just an administrator, she should be asked why not ONE Republican voted for this "debacle", and why was it passed in the middle of the night behind closed doors?

Those are the questions that should be asked...

DemocratCare
Not one Republican voted to implement a system that they knew would eventually destroy our Health Care System. And yes, the Republicans in the House HAVE submitted better fixes.

[Syncro]

Michelle Malkin weighed in a few days ago:

The thuggery of Obamacare Czarina Kathleen Sebelius

The thuggery of Obamacare Czarina Kathleen Sebelius by Michelle Malkin Creators Syndicate Copyright 2013 U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius is allergic to the truth. She is the ruthless enforcer of Obamacare’s Jenga tower of lies upon lies upon lies. Now that this fatally flawed government edifice is collapsing, you can expect Sebelius to do what she has done her entire career: blame, bully and pile on more lies. Three years ago, when insurers and other companies had the audacity to expose Obamacare’s damage to their customers and workers, Sebelius brought out her brass knuckles. Remember? As I reported at the time, the White House coordinated a demonization campaign against Anthem Blue Cross in California for raising rates because of the new mandate’s costs. Obama singled out the company in a “60 Minutes” interview, and Sebelius sent a nasty-gram demanding that Anthem “justify” its rate hikes to the federal government. A private company trying to survive in the marketplace was forced to “explain” itself to federal bureaucrats and career politicians who have never run a business (successful or otherwise) in their lives. Sebelius went even further. She called on Anthem to provide public disclosure of how the rate increases would be spent — a mandate that no other private companies must follow. In an even more heavy-handed effort to suppress criticism, Sebelius wrote America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national association of health insurers, “calling on their members to stop using scare tactics and misinformation to falsely blame premium increases for 2011 on the patient protections in the Affordable Care Act.” The threatening cease-and-desist letter commanded: “I urge you to inform your members that there will be zero tolerance for this type of misinformation and unjustified rate increases. … Simply stated, we will not stand idly by as insurers blame their premium hikes and increased profits on the requirement that they provide consumers with basic protections.”

[don-o]

Cornyn asks a true or false question. Did Obama lie?

Of course, she will not answer. As usual, dealing with accomplished liars is like trying to nail Jello to the wall.

[jersey117]

Well Krispy Kreme accepted the exchange for NJ and several hundred thousand people lost insurance here. I swear, these republicans don’t know how to respond.

[Seattle Conservative]

“Does it seem like Sebelius is lying when she talks with her hands?”

I think she’s primarily lying when she speaks - - PERIOD (to quote Obummer).

I haven’t been watching today (doing some listening while reading FR and working - before I leave for work) but I noticed when she was in front of the last committee, she she often crossed her arms in front of her and put them on the table when she got a question from a Pubbie she didn’t like. IIRC from reading a book or 2 on body language some years back, that’s a sign that the person is blocking what is being put forth to them and is on the defensive.

[AMDG&BVMH]

“crossed her arms in front of her and put them on the table when she got a question from a Pubbie she didn’t like”

same today

She uses her hands a lot but when she waves her right arm in the air . . . she is like waving away the real question and answering something else.

[Seattle Conservative]

Great questions!

I would add one: Why are people being asked to register to vote on a Healthcare website (we know the answer, but it would be interesting to hear what spin they would give).

[advertising guy]

Cornyn ax’s....Navigators can be felons yes ?

her answer.....yep !

[acsrp38]

What I don’t hear anyone saying is that now all of the healthcare institution is being taken over by government is that now everyone from federal to local politicians, administrators, and interest groups will be able to change it all on a whim. It will be an Alice in Wonderland deal. Look at all the bills now introduced by both sides. federal, state, and locals. Maybe you like them maybe not. Soon no one will know what is going on

[AMDG&BVMH]

Brown from Ohio a complete synchophant

[AMDG&BVMH]

“Soon no one will know what is going on”

No one knows now.

[rainee]

Will someone ask her about this?

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/189413-labor-unions-may-get-tax-wish-on-obamacare

[Seattle Conservative]

“She uses her hands a lot but when she waves her right arm in the air . . . she is like waving away the real question and answering something else.”

Great observation!