9. Kathleen Sebelius (D) - Secretary of Health and Human Services
Former Governor, Kansas
Former State Insurance Commissioner, Kansas
Nominated: March 2, 2009
Obama’s comments:
“Kathleen Sebelius has a remarkable intellect, unquestioned integrity, and the kind of pragmatic wisdom you’ll tend to find in a Kansan. I know she will bring some much-needed grace and good humor to Washington, and she will be a tremendous asset to my cabinet.”
Others’ comments:
“‘Gov. Sebelius is the right person to move the president’s health care agenda forward,’ said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America’s Health Insurance Plan, the major trade group representing insurers. ‘She has a wealth of experience of health care issues and has a legislative history of working with both sides of the aisle.’
“Abortion foes strongly oppose Sebelius because she once had a reception attended by a late-term abortion provider who now faces criminal charges. The anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, headquartered in Wichita, called Sebelius ‘unfit to serve.’
“Democrats say there was never any doubt that Obama would appoint an HHS secretary who supports abortion rights.
“Legislators in both parties agree (Kansas) has made some progress on health care since Sebelius became governor in January 2003.
“The state has expanded cancer screenings, allowed more Kansans can keep their health insurance up to 18 months after leaving their jobs and granted income tax deductions that helped some Kansans lower their insurance costs.
“It also has increased funding for ‘safety net’ clinics, expanded state medical and dental coverage for pregnant women and started no-interest loans to help small businesses form associations to provide health plans for employees.
“However, Christian Morgan, the Kansas GOP’s executive director, said Sebelius deserves no credit for whatever reforms have occurred in the state. He said she’ll leave behind ‘a long string of broken promises.’
“He also said she has a record of working to expand government programs instead of trying to improve the private insurance market, which he called ‘a frightening indication of what is to come.’
“‘Any sort of health insurance-health care policy has come from the Legislature or other outside bureaucracies,’ he said.”
—Associated Press
Approved: April 28, 2009
Appointment Impact:
“‘Together with the president’s speech to Congress, and his big health care investment in the budget,
the president’s appointment of Gov. Sebelius once again makes clear his intention of achieving meaningful health care reform this year,’ said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a liberal advocacy group that has worked for years to expand health care coverage.”
—Associated Press
Former Appointee: Tom Daschle (D)
Former U.S. Senator, South Dakota
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Nominated: December 11, 2008
Obama’s comments:
“If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address our health care challenge. I can think of no one better suited to lead this effort than the man standing beside me today.
“Tom Daschle is one of America’s foremost health care experts. And Tom’s thinking on this issue is informed not just by statistics he’s studied or policy papers he’s read, but by his years representing the people of South Dakota, witnessing firsthand their struggles as hospitals closed, doctors were few and far between, and care was often out of reach.
“But Tom brings more than just great expertise to this task, he brings the respect he earned during his years of leadership in Congress. He knows how to reach across the aisle and bridge partisan divides. And he has the trust of folks from every angle of this issue: doctors, nurses and patients; unions and businesses; hospitals and advocacy groups—all of whom will have a seat at the table as we craft our plan.
“And once we pass this legislation, I know I can rely on Tom to implement it effectively. A gifted manager, Tom is the original no-drama guy—known for speaking softly, but leading boldly—always treating his staff with respect, while demanding excellence and empowering them to deliver. And I know Tom will bring that same decency, graciousness and pragmatism to this new role.”
Others’ comments:
“Daschle is currently billed as a ‘special public policy adviser’ in the Washington office of the law firm Alston & Bird.
“He is not a federally registered lobbyist, but his wife, Linda Daschle, is a registered lobbyist at the firm Baker Donelson, which has clients in health-related fields.
“Critics question whether Obama’s top staff picks so far represent the ‘change’ that he promised during the campaign.”
—CNNPolitics.com
Withdrawal: February 3, 2009
Obama’s comments:
“‘I’ve got to own up to my mistake. Ultimately, it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules—you know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes,’ Obama said on NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams.
“The admission came little more than 24 hours after Obama had said he was ‘absolutely’ committed to Daschle’s confirmation as secretary of health and human services, a job in which he would taken the lead in the president’s ambitious plans for the nation’s health care system.
“‘I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people. I think Tom Daschle, as an example, could have led this health care effort, a difficult effort, better than just about anybody. But as he acknowledged, it was a mistake. I don’t think it was intentional on his part, but it was a serious mistake. He owned up to it and ultimately made a decision that we couldn’t afford the distraction.’”
Others’ comments:
“Questions about Daschle’s failure to fully pay his taxes from 2005 through 2007 had been increasing since they came to light…. Daschle overlooked taxes on income for consulting work and personal use of a car and driver, and also deducted more in charitable contributions than he should have. To resolve it, he paid $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest [in January].
“Daschle, chosen to lead the administration’s push for sweeping health care reform, also was facing questions about potential conflicts of interests related to speaking fees he accepted from health care interests and about the advice he provided to health insurers and hospitals through his work at a law firm.
“The car and driver were lent by Leo Hindery, head of a firm called InterMedia Advisors and former chief executive of the Global Crossing telecom company. Hindery is a longtime friend of Daschle and a veteran Democratic Party donor.”
—MSNBC.com
Withdrawal Impact: Pending nomination of new Secretary of Health and Human Services