Senate Finance Committee hearing marked by detailed policy discussions

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before the panel where she defended the health law waivers so far granted by the administration and other aspects of the overhaul that have been subject to scrutiny and criticism.

National Journal: Policy Trumps Hostility In Health Care Hearing
Political frustration gave way to detailed policy discussions on Wednesday as Senate Finance Republicans pressed the nation's top health official on Medicare cuts, Medicaid expansions, and leeway granted to businesses that cannot immediately meet new insurance requirements. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in front of the committee for the second time this year, countered the questions where she could, and deferred when she could not. Republicans on the committee are some of the most vocal critics of the year-old reform package. But on Wednesday, they kept the heated rhetoric in check (DoBias, 3/16).

CQ Newsroom: Sebelius Defends Waivers Of Health Care Law Requirements
Republican senators Wednesday questioned why the Obama administration was waiving some requirements under the 2010 health care overhaul, with one lawmaker suggesting it was being done to minimize complaints about the law. At a committee hearing on the upcoming anniversary of the Democrats' signature health care law, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius defended the temporary waivers of payout requirements for medical plans with limited benefits, often referred to as "mini-med" plans, and other aspects of the law that were scrutinized by GOP senators (Ethridge, 3/16).

Kaiser Health News Video: Sebelius Questioned By Senate Finance Committee
Kaiser Health News has excerpts from Wednesday's Senate Finance Committee hearing titled "Health Reform: Lessons Learned During the First Year." In her testimony, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised the health law and faced questions from critical Republican members on the panel (3/16).