Daschle discusses health care before Senate help committee.

On Jan. 6, former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), President Obama's choice for secretary of Health and Human Services, appeared at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The panel, chaired by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), was eager for Daschle's perspective on health-related legislative issues, including expanded health insurance coverage, on which the committee hopes to craft legislation. The senators also had a number of questions about the incoming administration's plan to reform health care. Daschle said he hopes to have a full overhaul on health care in motion by spring, and hopes that lawmakers will take the lead on the plan. During the hearing, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said he planned to emphasize the importance of focusing on preventive health care. Daschle will also appear before the Senate Finance Committee, which is the committee that will vote to send his nomination to the full Senate.