It’s Official: Daschle HHS Secretary Nominee
December 15th, 2008
At a Dec. 11 news conference, President-elect Barack Obama formally nominated former Senator Tom Daschle to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The South Dakota Democrat will also lead a White House health care reform team.
In a Dec. 11 news release, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said, “I have high regard for Senator Daschle. His leadership experience, familiarity with Washington, and interest in health care will serve him well as secretary.”
The American Medical Association (AMA) also responded in a Dec. 11 press release: “The American Medical Association congratulates former Senator Tom Daschle on his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services and the new White House Office of Health Reform. The creation of this new position highlights the importance and priority of health system reform to the new administration. As we work to reform the health care system, former Senator Daschle has a firm grasp of the complex issues and has demonstrated a commitment to working with physicians and other stakeholders to strengthen the system.”
President-elect Obama also announced Jean Lambrew as his choice for deputy director of HHS.
“The AMA congratulates Jeanne Lambrew on her appointment as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Health Reform. Jeanne Lambrew’s extensive health policy experience, including her work to provide health care coverage to needy children through the creation of SCHIP, will serve the country well as we work on health system reform,” the AMA said.
Diana Manos has more on this story for Healthcare IT News.
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