The Colbert Report Season 6 Episode 8 Kathleen Sebelius

In season 6 episode 8 of The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert welcomes Kathleen Sebelius, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, as his guest.

The episode begins with Colbert teasing the audience about Sebelius' appearance, stating that she is the perfect guest for a comedy show because healthcare is such a laughing matter. He then introduces Sebelius, who walks onto the stage to cheers and applause.

Sebelius and Colbert discuss the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, and the challenges that have arisen since its passage. Colbert, as always, injects humor into the conversation, joking that Sebelius' job must be easy because everyone loves Obamacare.

Sebelius talks about the difficulties of educating the public about the benefits of the healthcare law and dispelling misinformation about it. She also discusses the technical issues that plagued the launch of the healthcare exchange website, Healthcare.gov, and the steps that the administration has taken to improve it.

Colbert challenges Sebelius on some of the criticisms of the healthcare law, such as the argument that it will lead to fewer choices and higher costs for patients. Sebelius pushes back, explaining that the law actually expands access to healthcare for millions of Americans and puts in place protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

As the interview comes to a close, Colbert brings up the controversy surrounding the government's collection of phone and internet data, which had been a major news story at the time. Sebelius expresses concern about the balance between privacy and national security, but defends the government's actions as necessary in the fight against terrorism.

Finally, Colbert thanks Sebelius for appearing on the show and tells her that he hopes she will come back soon. The episode ends with Colbert doing his signature sign-off, "Nation, goodnight!", as the audience cheers and applauds.

Overall, season 6 episode 8 of The Colbert Report is a lively and entertaining discussion about healthcare policy and politics. Colbert's humor adds levity to the conversation, but Sebelius is also able to provide important insights into the challenges of implementing major policy changes.