HHS chief: ObamaCare ‘based on transparency’

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell on Sunday pushed back against the ObamaCare architect and his now infamous comments about the healthcare law, saying ObamaCare is “based on the issues of transparency.”

Burwell was responding to comments by MIT professor Jonathan Gruber that have ignited conservatives. A video surfaced of Gruber saying the “stupidity of the American voter” and a “lack of transparency” helped Congress approve ObamaCare.  

“I have to start with how fundamentally I disagree with his comments,” Burwell said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “[S]ince i’ve been at the department, one of the things I’ve focused on is transparency, making sure that all our numbers come out whether they’re good or bad. And the other thing is that the law is based on the issues of transparency and belief in the American people and choices in the marketplace.”

She was asked if Gruber would be welcome back as a consultant. 

“With regard to Mr. Gruber and his comments, I think I’ve made clear that’s something we fundamentally disagree with,” Burwell replied, without elaborating.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest has also said he “vigorously” disagrees with Gruber’s comments.