HHS Secretary Sebelius in Minn. for health reform anniversary

Kathleen Sebelius
In this file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks during a global obesity summit, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Jackson, Miss.
Rogelio V. Solis/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

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