Obama chooses Daschle for 2 critical roles in shaping health care

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-12  |     ONLINE EDITION

US President-elect Barack Obama has handed Tom Daschle two prime jobs and one gigantic assignment: overhauling the health care system so more people are covered by insurance.

Obama yesterday announced Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, as his health and human services secretary and director of a new White House office on health reform.

In previous administrations, the White House and not the Cabinet agency has led attempts to expand coverage, potentially at the expense of the health secretary's decision-making power.

Daschle's joint appointment "ensures that there is one primary voice speaking on behalf of the president when it comes to health care reform," said Chris Jennings, who was President Bill Clinton's senior health care adviser. "Both in the Bush and in the Clinton administrations, there was a question about who was talking for the president and what level of authority they have. This resolves it from day one."

But would spending time at the White House undermine Daschle's ability to manage an agency responsible for food and drug safety, medical research, and health insurance programs covering nearly 100 million elderly, disabled and poor people?

Jennings said the appointment of an experienced administrator, Jeanne Lambrew, as deputy chief of the new office makes clear that Daschle does not always have to be at the White House. Lambrew has worked at HHS and the White House budget office.

The department will need strong hands at the regulatory Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which give health care insurance to the elderly, disabled and poor. Daschle must find a capable deputy and chief of staff. "Those posts and their ability to manage well will be placed at a premium," Jennings said.

Introducing Daschle at a Chicago news conference, Obama stressed the link between reviving the economy and making health coverage more affordable and accessible to more people.