Daschle Also to Oversee New Health Reform Office (Obama Names Him HHS Secretary)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Daschle also to oversee new health reform office

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer – 12 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will pull double duty in the Obama administration, where he will serve not only as the Health and Human Services secretary but also oversee a new White House Office of Health Reform.

A Democratic official familiar with the plans — to be announced Thursday in Chicago — said the additional appointment makes it clear that Daschle will coordinate efforts within the administration to overhaul the nation's health care system.

"He will be the White House's voice on this critical issue," said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the development.

Jeanne Lambrew, who helped Daschle write a book about health care reform, will serve as deputy director of the new White House office. She also worked on health policy at the White House during the Clinton administration and currently serves as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081211/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obam...

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Obama: "If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also reform our health care challenges."

[still_one]

1. and what about his wife's lobbyists activities? Is there a conflict of interest? /nt

[Dennis Donovan]

2. I have the utmost confidence any conflicts-of-interest will be resolved...

Obama cannot let any conflicts stand, and he knows it.

[still_one]

4. I agree with you. The outrageous thing is that the media thought the glagojevich issue

was more important regarding Obama than his appointments, even though they know there is NO connection

[Hissyspit]

3. I hope not, but the real story here is that there is a new health care reform office.

It's true any "scandal" could taint it, but I would think they have considered that.

[Piewhacket]

5. Nice to see Tom working again. Work hard Tom. Know you will.

[Stuckinthebush]

6. I'm loving Obama's picks!

We have a great team lined up.

[Mojorabbit]

7. Is he a physician? nt