GOP Rep. Cory Gardner Tears Into Sebelius: 'Why Aren't You Losing Your Health Insurance?'

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• published: 30 Oct 2013
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10/30/13 - During Wednesday morning's House hearing on the Obamacare site, Republican Congressman Cory Gardner (R-CO) and HHS Sec. Kathleen Sebelius engaged in a highly-contentious debate over why the latter has not enrolled herself in the insurance exchanges established by the law she oversees. The Republican lawmaker held up a letter from his private health insurer notifying his family that their healthcare policy had been cancelled, as it no longer qualifies under the Affordable Care Act. While scolding Sebelius for the administration's previous promises that "you can keep your plan," Gardner asked, "Why aren't you losing your health insurance? Why aren't you in the exchange?" When Sebelius explained that she's part of the federal employees benefit plan, Gardner pushed harder: "You're literally in charge of this law. Should you be any different than any of the other Americans out there who are losing their insurance today?" After some more pressing, Sebelius told the congressman: "I am not eligible for the exchange." A baffled Gardner replied: "I went into the exchange. You could decide to drop your coverage of your employer. You have the choice." "That is not true, sir," the HHS secretary responded. "If I have affordable coverage in my workplace, I am not eligible to go into the workplace." "With all due respect," Gardner fired back, "I would encourage you to be just like the American people and enter the exchange and agree to find a way to do that." Applause broke out in the gallery among several members. "It's illegal," the administration official responded. Gardner then turned his attention to the infamous "Brosurance" ad used by the Colorado state government to promote the new healthcare law to college-aged males. Holding up the famous poster depicting a college student doing a keg stand, the congressman asked whether Sebelius approves of this sort of advertising. She repeatedly told him she has no authority over what the states do with their promotional materials. During that exchange, an aide whispered in Gardner's ear, sending him back to the first topic: "You have the ability to opt out, by the way, as a federal employee," he said. "You can take the insurance."