The Daily Circuit

HHS Secretary Sebelius in Minn. for health reform anniversary

by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio

10:52 AM, March 23, 2012

LISTEN

The federal health care overhaul, a key legislative agenda item for President Obama, became law two years ago Friday. To mark the anniversary, political rhetoric over the law has ramped up.

Supporters and opponents of the law are marking the anniversary in Minnesota. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius is joining other Democratic officials at an event in Spring Lake Park to tout the law's benefits. Another event this afternoon in St. Paul will be a protest against the law.

The law has been a target of major criticism from Republicans. Just yesterday, the GOP-led House voted to repeal a board that the law creates to focus on ways to control Medicare costs. Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen described it on the floor of the U.S. House.

"The very foundation of our health care system is that relationship between a patient and their doctor... but the president's new health care law now inserts government bureaucracy in the middle of that relationship," he said.

It was a symbolic vote, given the president would never sign such a measure. Just as symbolic was the video the Obama campaign released this week that aims to get the president's message out about how much the law has already helped Americans.

"Are we going to roll back health care that promises you having more security -- maybe gives you a chance to get health insurance for the first time?" Obama said. "You need somebody whose fighting for you right now, and that's what I wake up thinking about every single day - is fighting for you."

MPR News reporter Elizabeth Stawicki covers the new federal health care law. She'll join The Daily Circuit from the Sebelius event.

comments powered by Disqus
Listen Now

MPR News Radio

Hourly Newscast

The Daily Circuit Blog

Politics & Government:

Could Julie Rosen challenge Dayton? Roundtable members think so

“Think about how hard it would be for Dayton to run against a moderate, Republican woman. Yikes.” Read more

Science:

Science Night Minnesota

Tens of thousands of people around the world have said they want to go to Mars, even if it means they will never return to Earth. Dozens of them were in the crowd Tuesday night at the Fitzgerald Theater for Science Night Minnesota — Mission to Mars. Read about Science Night.