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Sebelius picked for health post | Sebelius picked for health post |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama has nominated Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to be his administration's new health secretary, the White House has said. | |
"Today, President Barack Obama officially nominated Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services," it said. | "Today, President Barack Obama officially nominated Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services," it said. |
Ms Sebelius had earlier been tipped for several cabinet posts, but had said she wanted to focus on her work in Kansas. | Ms Sebelius had earlier been tipped for several cabinet posts, but had said she wanted to focus on her work in Kansas. |
Mr Obama has placed healthcare at the centre of his ambitious fiscal plan. | Mr Obama has placed healthcare at the centre of his ambitious fiscal plan. |
Reform | Reform |
"In this role, Sebelius will oversee a department with wide-ranging responsibilities essential to the American people, including the implementation of the president's vision for health care," the White House statement said. | |
Ms Sebelius, 60, replaced Mr Obama's first choice as health secretary, former Senator Tom Daschle, who withdrew after questions were asked about his personal taxes. | Ms Sebelius, 60, replaced Mr Obama's first choice as health secretary, former Senator Tom Daschle, who withdrew after questions were asked about his personal taxes. |
We can't fix the economy without fixing healthcare Kathleen Sebelius Profile: Kathleen Sebelius | |
It emerged in January that Mr Daschle had failed to pay some $130,000 (£90,000) in taxes. | It emerged in January that Mr Daschle had failed to pay some $130,000 (£90,000) in taxes. |
Mr Obama later accepted his nominee's withdrawal "with sadness and regret", acknowledging that he had "made a mistake" in his handling of Mr Daschle's case. | Mr Obama later accepted his nominee's withdrawal "with sadness and regret", acknowledging that he had "made a mistake" in his handling of Mr Daschle's case. |
At the White House event announcing her nomination, Ms Sebelius said healthcare reform was her top priority. | |
"We can't fix the economy without fixing healthcare," she said. | |
"This isn't a partisan challenge. It's an American challenge and one that we can't afford to ignore." | |
Former Clinton administration health official Nancy-Ann DeParle will serve as head of the White House Office for Health Reform, which has been created to help co-ordinate healthcare reform with Congress. | |
Mr Obama has put affordable healthcare at the core of his domestic programme, and Ms Sebelius will focus in her new job on providing coverage for some 46 million uninsured Americans. | Mr Obama has put affordable healthcare at the core of his domestic programme, and Ms Sebelius will focus in her new job on providing coverage for some 46 million uninsured Americans. |
Ms Sebelius's appointment as health secretary has to be ratified by the US Senate. | |
The Kansas governor was an early supporter of Mr Obama during the marathon presidential election campaign, choosing to endorse him over Hillary Clinton. |
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