(Bloomberg) — The departure of Kathleen Sebelius from President Barack Obama's cabinet removes a focal point for criticism over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's troubled rollout, right at a moment when the White House can blunt attacks with enrollment numbers that exceeded targets.

Senate confirmation hearings on the president's choice to succeed Sebelius as Health and Human Services secretary, budget director Sylvia Mathews Burwell, will give Republicans days of media exposure for their criticism of a program that remains unpopular.

Those hearings will now be held months ahead of midterm congressional elections, helping diminish the impact on voters.

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