President Obama might not have mentioned Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius during his ObamaCare victory lap in the Rose Garden Tuesday, but Sebelius did not forget to thank HHS staff.
In a memo to her department’s employees obtained by CNN, Sebelius gave a nod to to their efforts but said there is still a lot of work to be done.
“Today, as we mark the end of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, I want to thank you for the progress we’ve made, together,” Sebelius wrote in the Tuesday afternoon memo.
She praised the 7 million enrollee Obamacare benchmark, the Medicaid expansion, a childrens health care program, and the 3 million people allowed to stay on their parents insurance.
“I know that this law has been at the center of much debate and discourse in Washington, but what this enrollment demonstrates is that the Affordable Care Act is working and much needed,” she continued.
The Obama administration has faced a slew of criticism over the bungled rollout, from the botched website, people being dropped from their insurance, increased premiums, etc. and Sebelius has been on the receiving end of much of it. Indeed in her missive she stressed that there is still a lot left to do.
“Our work is far from over. But I hope you will take a moment to pause and celebrate – be proud of the difference you are making in the lives of your fellow Americans,” she wrote.
Sebelius was in the Rose Garden Tuesday during Obama’s enrollment announcement
When asked about Obama’s level of confidence in Sebelius, White House Press Jay Carney said Tuesday, “The President has had and has confidence in his Secretary of Health and Human Services.”