HHS Pick Defends Obamacare Before Senate Panel

President Barack Obama's pick to head to the Department of Health and Human Services defended the administration's unilateral changes to Obamacare before a Senate committee Wednesday.

Sylvia Mathews Burwell told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that the rollout delays are a common sense way to implement the law. The committee is the first of two that will hold hearings on her nomination.

The HHS secretary hopeful defended law, saying it "is making a positive difference," is improving the economy, and has reduced health care costs.

Burwell pledged to try to regain the misused federal taxpayer dollars spent on failed healthcare websites. She also vowed to be more responsive to the senators, something lawmakers say former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius failed to do.

While many Republicans disagree with Burwell's approval of the healthcare law, they still plan to vote in her favor.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., called her a "tremendous asset" and referred to her "reputation for competence."

President and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans Karen Ignagni called Burwell "uniquely qualified to lead HHS during this critical time."

Last year, Burwell was unanimously confirmed by the Senate for her post as Obama's budget director.