GOP blasts FDA for promoting ObamaCare

{mosads}GOP lawmakers framed the public emails as a step outside the FDA’s jurisdiction.

“While our nation suffers from numerous drug shortages and patients are waiting for drugs and medical device approvals, the FDA should not be using resources designated for these purposes to fund an effort unrelated to your agency’s mission,” the members wrote to Hamburg.

Republicans also asked how much the FDA has spent in supporting implementation of the healthcare law, and out of what account it pays those expenses.

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges is in full swing ahead of Oct. 1, when public enrollment begins.

The Obama administration has indicated that it will leverage communications offices across the Executive Branch to promote the law.

The GOP letter, sent Wednesday, came from Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Tim Scott (S.C.).