Reps. Franks, Schweikert of Arizona sign letter urging health chief’s resignation
Oct 24, 2013, 8:15 AM | Updated: 8:59 am
PHOENIX — A pair of U.S. congressmen from Arizona are pushing for the resignation of the woman who oversees the agency that protects America’s health, in wake of the disastrous online launch of the federal health care program.
Republicans David Schweikert and Trent Franks are among a congressional group of 32 who signed and sent a letter Wednesday to President Obama saying Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should be held accountable for the flawed rollout of healthcare.gov.
The letter read, in part:
“With more than three years to prepare for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, we are surprised to see the level of uncertainty, confusion and incompetence that has riddled the Health Insurance Marketplace since October 1. The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, was entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring an integrated debut of the federal government’s website, HealthCare.gov…The scope of the problem is so great that, were this a private company or military command, the CEO or general would have been fired. We are, therefore, calling on you to hold Secretary Sebelius accountable for the fiasco that is HealthCare.gov and ask for her resignation. …
“It’s not too late. By calling for the resignation of Secretary Sebelius, you can send a powerful signal that the American people will not be held responsible for her department’s failures. By granting a delay in the rollout of Obamacare, you can ensure fairness for all Americans, not just the select few.”
Sebelius is in Phoenix on Thursday to tour government health care-related sites.
The rollout, which launched Oct. 1, has been plagued by consumer complaints of being unable to log in, excessively long wait times, and not knowing if their application was received.
Problems began immediately. Website contractors said the Obama administration is also responsible.
KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this article.
