Senator Cornyn Grills HHS Secretary Over Lack of Obamacare Contingency Plan

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell repeatedly refused to answer my questions about the Obama Administration’s response if the Supreme Court determines subsidies for insurance purchased through a federal exchange are illegal in the King v. Burwell case later this year.

Video of the exchange can be found here, and excerpts from the exchange are below.

SEN. CORNYN: “Has HHS taken steps to inform all current federal exchange enrollees about the King suit, and how ruling against the Administration might affect them?”

SEC. BURWELL: “We have not Senator…”

CORNYN: “And my question is, if the Administration loses, have you taken steps to advise federal enrollees about the consequences that may apply to them as a result to the Administration losing that lawsuit?”

BURWELL: “Right now, as I mentioned with the Chairman, what we’re focused on is what we believe is our responsibility to implement the law as fully as we can…”

CORNYN: “And that’s not an answer to my question, Madam Secretary…you refuse to answer our questions, and that to me does not strike me as trying to work with Congress, but rather contemptuous of Congress’ oversight responsibilities…”

…

CORNYN: “So let me ask it again: if the Administration loses in the King vs. Burwell case, do you believe you already have the authority to make an administrative fix? Or will you come to Congress and ask for additional legislation?”

BURWELL: “Senator, I am focused right now on implementation…”

…

CORNYN: “Mr. Chairman … these hearings are absolutely no use to us if the witnesses refuse to answer straightforward questions, which this witness has repeatedly done… And to deny us a straightforward answer to straightforward questions, and that’s just unacceptable.”