Burwell pledges to bring bipartisanism to CMS

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, nominee for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services commissioner, pledged her support to federal healthcare reform efforts and promised Congress she would foster positive relationships with all political parties during her confirmation hearing on May 8.

"I have made responses to and engagement with Congress a priority—working with members on both sides of the aisle to drive towards progress on the issues we all care deeply about," Burwell said in written testimony to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Burwell also stated her support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), writing that it is “making a positive difference in the lives of our families and our communities, while strengthening the economy.”

The law’s success is underscored by a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office, which affirmed that the ACA is working to lower healthcare cost growth, make individual market premiums affordable, increase coverage and reduce the federal deficit, she wrote.

“If confirmed, I will work to continue to build on this progress,” she said in her testimony. Also, she said should would approach her work with three guiding tenets: driving solutions for the issues we all care deeply about; building teams with the talent and focus we need to implement against our objectives; and strengthening relationships to make progress on the wide variety of issues at the Department that transcend parties.”

The HELP committee proceedings are the first of two Burwell confirmation hearings; the Senate Finance Committee is expected to hold a second hearing later this month. Democrats expect to finalize her nomination before May 26.