WASHINGTON, DC – Continuing his call for accountability over the failed launch of the Obamacare exchanges, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today sent a letter to the President asking him to relieve the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius of her duties. Roberts was joined on the letter by U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN.), John Cornyn (R-Texas),Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mark Kirk (R-Il), John Barrasso (R-Wyo), James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

“During the Finance Committee hearing yesterday, I reminded the Secretary of the numerous warnings she was given that the exchanges were not going to be ready on time and that there was a high risk for privacy and security of personal information if she did not heed this advice. Throughout the implementation of the exchanges, this Administration failed to be transparent about the problems they were facing and what that could mean for the American people. I think that concern was shared by members of this Committee on both sides of the aisle.

”Little was said by Secretary Sebelius to reassure the millions of Americans who can’t get coverage and are scared,” Roberts went on to say. “In fact, we know that this failure is only the tip of the iceberg, as many, millions more Americans are losing the plans they like than can get into the website to sign up for a plan in the exchange. Of course, we can’t verify this because the Secretary will not release the numbers. We need transparency and accountability and we need it now.”

In early October, Roberts was the first member of Congress to call for Secretary Sebelius’ resignation after the failure of healthcare.gov and amid concerns about the security and privacy of personal health and financial information in the exchange.

The following is the text of the sent today:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC  20500

Dear Mr. President:

            We write today to formally request that you immediately relieve Secretary Sebelius of her duties as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

After the failed October 1 launch of the federally-run Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) exchanges, HealthCare.gov, it must be acknowledged that the problems are profound, systemic and undeniable. The website repeatedly crashed. Many visitors were unable to create accounts. Individuals have reported waiting for days to register online and being put on hold for hours after calling the 1-800 helpline. Even after visitors create accounts, they are often unable to access accurate information about subsidies and Medicaid eligibility.  And when a user does select an insurance plan, insurers have reported that Healthcare.gov transmits error-filled applications to the insurance companies.  In addition, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials will not report how many individuals or families have been able to enroll in a plan on HealthCare.gov.

Regrettably, these problems were diagnosed early and ignored. The New York Times reports, “Confidential progress reports from the Health and Human Services Department show that senior officials repeatedly expressed doubts that the computer systems for the federal exchange would be ready on time” (From the Start, Signs of Trouble at Health Portal, October 12, 2013). The Government Accountability Office also issued warnings in June that HHS had to address many issues in a very short timeframe before the October 1 rollout. The contractor “status report” from early September warned that significant milestones were being missed and that timeframes were too short. Tests done just days before the launch reportedly showed the computer systems couldn't handle more than a few hundred hits at a time. However, the Secretary refused to give credence to these warnings. 

In the days immediately following the launch, when it was apparent that problems were deep-seeded, Secretary Sebelius misled the public by claiming the issues were the result of high volume. According to her statements to the press, she even failed to inform you, the President under whom she serves, until days after the website launch that there were systemic problems needing millions more dollars and man hours to fix.

            There is bipartisan agreement that accountability is paramount. Your former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “When they get it fixed, I hope they fire some people that were in charge of making sure that this thing was supposed to work.”

While assurances have been made that solutions are forthcoming, we have little confidence that immediate resolution is imminent. After spending more than $400 million on the failed website, taxpayers should not trust the same failed leadership to fix it. We believe that action must be taken swiftly to protect the American people from further fallout. If a similar rollout from any other national company or private sector business resulted in overwhelming and sustained problems, a high profile dismissal would be expected and appropriate.

Even worse, millions of Americans will lose their existing coverage starting January 1, 2014, because it does not meet new Obamacare requirements.  These people could be left without any insurance at all if the exchange systems are not working soon.

            For these reasons, we ask that you relieve Secretary Sebelius of her position as Secretary of Health and Human Services immediately.  

Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance. He is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. Roberts is also a key member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and is the co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.

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