(Bloomberg) – Sylvia Mathews Burwell defended the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) today at a congressional hearing.
Burwell — President Obama's pick to succeed Kathleen Sebelius, the outgoing Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary – said PPACA has given millions of Americans new benefits.
She said the law has also improved federal government finances.
"For the period from 2014 to 2020, health-care costs by the federal government have decreased by $900 billion," Burwell said.
Burwell, a former director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The Senate HELP will not vote on the Burwell nomination.
The Senate Finance Committee, which will vote on the nomination, has not yet scheduled a Burwell hearing.
