Burwell confirmation hearings promise to showcase partisan split on health law

Though confirmation is likely for Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head up the Department of Health and Human Services, the GOP will use the process to skewer Obamacare. Also, a House committee chairman is calling for more study of internet security risks under the law.

CBS News: GOP Plans Assault On Obamacare In Sylvia Burwell Confirmation Hearings
Sylvia Mathews Burwell will probably be confirmed as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, but that doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing. ... Higher-than-expected enrollment numbers and emerging evidence that the law will be less costly than anticipated have put Republicans on defense recently, but they're hoping to use Burwell's confirmation to re-energize their campaign against the law (Miller, 5/1).

The Hill:  House Chairman Calls For More Healthcare.gov Scrutiny
House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) on Thursday called for the Government Accountability Office to expand its study of the security risks at HealthCare.gov. The Texas Republican accused the Obama administration of trying to "cut corners that have put the personal data of millions of Americans at risk" in developing the site (Hattem, 5/1).

Meanwhile, on the lobbying front -  

The CT Mirror: Connecticut Insurers Have Eyes On Washington
Connecticut insurance powerhouses Aetna, The Hartford and Travelers have different lobbying agendas in Washington, but all three have stepped up their efforts to  influence lawmakers and federal policy. Collectively, and including on-staff lobbyists, the three spent nearly $13 million lobbying Congress last year. The reason for this: Even though insurance companies are mainly regulated by states, Congress has in recent years approved bills and delved into several issues that strike at the heart of how these companies do business (Radelat, 5/1).