According to the Associated Press, Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has been chosen by Senator Obama to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Tom brings leadership experience, as the former leader of the Senate Democrats, along with experience in Healthcare. It also assures President Obama a brief confirmation hearing as almost all the Senators on the Health Committee which the nomination will go through already know him.
Organizations seeking to expand health coverage were quick to praise the selection.
"Sen. Daschle has a deep commitment to securing high-quality, affordable health care for everyone in our nation," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. "His new leadership position confirms that the incoming Obama administration has made health care reform a top and early priority for action in 2009."
His most recent post has been with the Law Firm of Alston and Bird, advising clients on issues including health care, financial services and taxes and trade.
Senator Daschle is a decent human being and one that we look forward to working with in the next administration. Now that a non physician is running HHS, it is almost a guarantee that a physician will be nominated as FDA Commissioner.