Kathleen Sebelius

Health Care

During her first months in the Obama administration, Sebelius' political skills were tested when she became a prime voice for health-care reform in a controversial debate. She made news in August 2009 when she suggested that a government-funded health-care alternative wasn't essential to reform.

"I think there will be a competitor to private insurers," Sebelius said, adding that a government insurer was not an "essential element" in reform. She signaled that the Obama White House was open to non-profit cooperatives as the alternative.

Indeed, a public insurance option was not included when, after more than a year of legislative wrangling, the House passed the Senate version of health-care reform on March 21, 2010, clearing the way for the Senate to approve a package of amendments insisted on by the lower chamber with a simple majority (using a process known as reconciliation).

The $940 billion bill requires most Americans to carry health insurance and requires that insurance companies cover them, regardless of pre-existing conditions. It establishes a national insurance exchange allowing Americans to compare and purchase insurance plans. The bill will be paid for by increasing taxes on well-off Medicare recipients and by taxing premium insurance plans. By the end of the bill's 10-year roll-out, 32 million uninsured Americans will have health coverage and the deficit will be $138 billion lower, the Congressional Budget Office estimated.

Past Reform Efforts

During her eight years as Kansas insurance commissioner, Sebelius oversaw the department that regulates and licenses health-insurance agencies, and advocates for consumers using health-insurance services. Sebelius developed a reputation as an advocate for consumers who was willing to stand up to insurance companies. In 2002, Modern Healthcare Magazine named her to its list of the 100 most powerful people in health care, citing her "aggressive campaigns to force insurers to promptly pay claims."She became chairwoman of the National Insurance Commissioners' Association and blocked the sale of Kansas Blue Cross, Blue Shield to an Indiana firm, arguing that the move would dramatically increase costs for Kansans.

As governor, Sebelius made several attempts at health-care reform in Kansas. In 2004, she tried to fund an expansion of health-care to 70,000 low-income Kansans with a 97-cents-a-pack increase on cigarettes, but the measure failed to gain approval from the GOP-controlled legislature. But she did succeed in allowing Kansas to join the I-SaveRx program that allowed certain states to refill prescriptions from other countries like Canada.

In 2008, she tried again with a 50-cents-a-pack cigarette tax, but Republicans also stymied that effort. In 2005, she also tried, and failed, to consolidate all state health programs under one state agency. The Kansas Health Policy Authority was ultimately created, but the GOP claimed most of the credit.

In her 2007 State of the State address, Sebelius called for universal health care for Kansans, but declined to detail how she would pay for it; Republicans dubbed the idea "Hillarycare" in reference to former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's failed 1993 reform effort.

Sebelius condemned President George W. Bush for vetoing an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and called offering health care to children a "moral obligation."

Obama Supporter

Sebelius endorsed candidate Obama in January 2008, and campaigned fiercely on his behalf, often acting as a surrogate to women's groups.

In July 2008, Sebelius was mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick who could appeal to feminists after Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton to win the Democratic presidential nomination. At the time Obama gushed, "I love Kathleen Sebelius," Salon.com reported. "I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now. Integrity. Competence. She can work with all people of all walks of life."

Of course, Sebelius was not chosen for the vice presidential slot. After Obama's election, she was rumored to be a top pick to run a number of departments, including labor, energy and agriculture.

But in December 2008, Sebelius announced that she had removed herself from consideration for a cabinet position so she could work on budget problems in Kansas.

Bipartisanship

"We don't know what a liberal is in Kansas," Mike Hayden told Salon.com. Hayden, a former Republican governor, was a member of Sebelius' cabinet.

Sebelius is known for her ability to work with both side of the aisle to get things done. "It's the only way she can be an effective governor in a Republican state," her lieutenant governor, Mark Parkinson (D), told Salon.com. Parkinson, a former Republican chairman of Kansas, left the GOP to run with Sebelius in 2006.

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