Issa Seeks Answers About HHS Waiver Process
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is seeking information about the process used by the Department of Health and Human Services related to granting health law waivers. He also is asking questions about why the waivers will be ending.
The Hill: GOP Raises More Questions About Health Care Waivers
House Republicans on Wednesday threatened to use a "compulsory process" if the Health and Human Services Department doesn't voluntarily turn over more documents about controversial waivers from part of the health care reform law. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said HHS has not answered questions about the waiver process or provided all of the records he requested while investigating the issue (Baker, 8/10).
CQ HealthBeat: Issa Questions Why HHS Ending Waivers For Mini-Med Plans
House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa is questioning why Health and Human Services officials are ending the mini-med waiver programs, arguing that it will penalize some small businesses that could benefit from the exemption. Issa says in a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the committee is "skeptical that organizations that would benefit from a waiver will have the opportunity and foresight to apply by Sept. 22, 2011," the date the agency has set as the cutoff for new or renewal applications (Bunis, 8/10).