Sebelius confirmed as HHS secretary
WASHINGTON - Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius won Senate confirmation yesterday as the nation's health and human services secretary, thrusting her into the middle of a public health emergency with the swine flu sickening dozens of Americans.
The 65-to-31 confirmation vote, completing President Obama's cabinet, came after Democrats urged quick action so that Sebelius could get to work leading the federal response to the flu outbreak. Sixty votes in the 100-seat Senate were necessary for approval. Immediately after the vote Sebelius resigned as governor in Kansas and headed to Washington to get sworn in last night.
"We find ourselves in the midst of a global crisis," said Senator Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat. "What we've been missing in all of this is the head of the Health and Human Services Department."
Though the swine flu will be an immediate focus, Sebelius will also help shepherd Obama's overhaul of the nation's $2.5 trillion healthcare system to reduce costs and cover more than 47 million uninsured Americans. Her role, however, will not be as extensive as Obama's first nominee for the job, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who was also supposed to be head of the White House office of healthcare reform before he withdrew over unpaid taxes.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who is helping lead the charge for a healthcare overhaul, said Sebelius's confirmation would jump-start the work.
Republican opponents cited Sebelius's record on abortion and raised concerns about whether Obama administration plans to overhaul the nation's health system would cut out Republicans and lead to rationing of care. Anti-abortion groups had marshalled their resources to oppose Sebelius, a Catholic who personally opposes abortion but who vetoed a series of abortion restrictions as governor.
"She is the wrong appointee," said Senator Robert Bennett, a Utah Republican. "She has backed a partisan process for healthcare reform. She has refused to support patient safeguards."
With no health secretary in place, the White House has turned to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to help lead its response to the swine flu.
Sebelius, 60, was the first of 20 HHS officials requiring Senate approval. 