As the Republican presidential race heats up, supporters and opponents are amping up their arguments. The White House is working to bolster support for the law by placing emphasis on states that are using federal grants to implement insurance exchanges or planning to implement one.

Similarly, Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told health reform supporters to focus on educating and encouraging all Americans to take advantage of the law's benefits.

Courtesy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the next election will be a "make or break moment" for the future of health care.

She said that if more people take advantage of the law's provisions, it'll be harder for opponents to take those benefits away.

However, republican candidates continue to campaign on the premise of repealing the law, especially individual mandate. The health law will likely take center stage in the upcoming Florida primary, since it's one of the states with a high number of Medicare enrollees.

Meanwhile, Washington lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week to look for a way to fund an extension to the payroll tax holiday. For more details, listen to this week's Policy & Practice Podcast.

 

-- Frances Correa (FMCReporting)

01/23/12