'The Daily Show' Jon Stewart Grills Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Obamacare as Government Shutdown Continues [VIDEO, NEWS]
As the government shutdown continues, Health and Human Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appeared on The Daily Show to discuss Obamacare.
ObamaCare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, is the biggest challenge Sebelius has faced during her tenure, and since the enrollment websites opened up last week, customers have been facing difficulty due to heavy traffic and interest, which creates longer wait times on the sites, according to the Washington Times.
Show host Jon Stewart questioned Sebelius on the problems Americans have been facing by challenging her to see who could finish first in a contest where he would download every movie ever made as she tried signing up for Obamacare.
He also went on to ask Sebelius why businesses are able to delay Obamacare for a year, while individuals cannot, asking if it was a legitimate concern.
"So why is it that individuals though couldn't say they didn't want to do it just for a year?" Stewart asked.
"Well they can. They pay a fine," Sebelius answered. "The pay a fine at the end of the year, but they don't have to-they can say, 'I don't want to do it. The theory is they can't pick and choose if they are hit by a bus or diagnosed with an illness."
Sebelius also explained that the wait times on websites don't have to become a major concern to individuals seeking to enroll by pointing out that uninsured Americans have until mid-December to sign up for coverage that begins January 1.
The government shutdown has been in place for more than a week, after House Republicans refused to pass a budget unless ObamaCare was delayed.
You can watch Sebelius's entire interview below.
The Daily Show airs Monday-Friday at 11:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.
