Sebelius nominated to head HHS.

APHA and other public health leaders in March praised President Barack Obama's nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Since becoming Kansas' governor in 2003, Sebelius has worked to ensure Kansans have access to health care and proposed providing health insurance to every uninsured Kansas child from birth to age 5. As part of her effort to keep Kansans safe, she has collaborated with first responders and law enforcement workers to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

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"Gov. Sebelius' knowledge of health policy issues and the importance of ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health services, as well as her experience working across party lines, makes her an excellent choice," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E). "APHA looks forward to working with Gov. Sebelius in the coming months as we strive to ensure that public health and prevention are core elements of our national commitment to health system reform."

In her first year as governor, Sebelius inherited a billion-dollar deficit, but was able to balance the state's budget without raising taxes or slashing education funding. Citing the accomplishment, Time magazine in 2005 named Sebelius one of the nation's five best governors.

Sebelius was nominated by Obama for the HHS secretary position a month after former Sen. Tom Daschle withdrew his name from consideration because of tax problems.