Next battles over Obamacare predicted to be ugliest yet

CNN reports that the White House and Republicans are preparing for an "epic battle" over the selling of Obamacare tied to the opening of online insurance marketplaces Oct. 1. Other news outlets describe how GOP lawmakers are increasingly calling for an independent probe of HHS Secretary Sebelius.

CNN: How The Next Battle Over Obamacare Could Be The Ugliest Yet
On one side is the Obama administration, which is preparing to carry out the president's landmark health care reform law. It sees success directly linked to his legacy. ... On the other side are House Republicans, conservative groups, GOP governors and tea party affiliates. They are reading the latest polls and are determined to make the repeal or severe crippling of the Affordable Care Act their top priority before the 2014 midterms (Abdullah, 5/31).

The Hill: GOP Lawmakers Link Sebelius Calls To IPAB Concerns
Republican lawmakers are calling on Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to keep away from a divisive Medicare cost board because of her controversial fundraising calls to the healthcare industry. Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) and Rep. Phil Roe (Tenn.) sent Sebelius a letter Thursday urging her not to take the place of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) if Republicans succeed in blocking it (Viebeck, 5/30).

Fox News: Republicans Seek IG Probe Into Sebelius Over ObamaCare Group Donations
Congressional Republicans on Thursday escalated their call for an independent investigation into whether Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius broke the law when she sought donations from private companies for an independent ObamaCare project. Three top Senate Republicans wrote a letter to the HHS inspector general asking his office to launch a probe. It follows a previous GOP call for a review by another internal watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (5/31).