Obama Names Sebelius To Lead Health Reform Push

Obama has set goals of expanding healthcare to 46 million uninsured Americas, easing the burdens of insurance costs to employers.

President Barack Obama named Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to lead his ambitious health reform effort on Monday, kicking off a week focused on revamping an inefficient healthcare system whose cost he fears is hurting the U.S. economy.

Obama also named former Clinton administration health official Nancy-Ann DeParle to serve as head of the newly created White House Office for Health Reform, the White House said. The office will help coordinate the health reform agenda with Congress.

"Today, President Barack Obama officially nominated Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services," the White House said in a statement.

"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 healthcare."

Sebelius, a former state insurance commissioner, is noted for trying to reach across the political divide as a Democratic governor in a conservative and Republican state -- skills she will need to tackle one of the most ambitious undertakings of the new administration.

Obama's healthcare push was stymied when his first nominee for the cabinet health job, Tom Daschle, withdrew after admitting he delayed paying $140,000 in back taxes and fines.

Obama has set goals of expanding healthcare to 46 million uninsured Americas, easing the burdens of insurance costs to employers and paying for it with new taxes, and streamlining operations of the medical system.

On Thursday the White House will host a healthcare summit, with break-out sessions among health insurers, members of Congress and lobbyists for groups ranging from the drug industry to employers. While the guest list has not been published yet, White House officials have indicated a broad range of expertise will be represented.