Sebelius Confirmed as HHS Secretary

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services at a White House ceremony Tuesday, April 28, after Senate confirmation.

The Senate approved Sebelius’ nomination on a 65-31 vote.

Sebelius, a former commissioner of the Kansas Department of Insurance, is expected to play a key role as the Obama administration and Congress attempt to negotiate comprehensive health care reform legislation.

Sebelius “is the right person to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. She’s a problem solver, and that’s what Congress needs in a partner for health care reform,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Montana, said in a statement.

Filed by Jerry Geisel of Business Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.