Sebelius calls for action now on health care

WASHINGTON — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, President Barack Obama's choice to head the Health and Human Services Department, said Tuesday that if confirmed, "health reform would be my mission."

Testifying before a Senate panel, Sebelius pledged herself to Obama's goal of overhauling the health system to cover 48 million uninsured Americans. Although consumers, insurers, the health industry and others largely agree that reform is needed now, some battle lines have been drawn over Obama's health overhaul plans.

"Inaction is not an option. The status quo is unacceptable, and unsustainable," said Sebelius, citing high health care costs that she said were hurting families and crippling the economy.

"Currently, there's no relief in sight," she said.

Sebelius appeared before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, where she was welcomed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who has been battling brain cancer.

His hands shaking slightly, Kennedy said that over the past 10 months, he has experienced the health care system up close. "I've benefited from the best of medicine. But we have too many uninsured Americans," said the committee chairman.

Conservatives have criticized Sebelius, a Roman Catholic who supports abortion rights. She vetoed several bills in Kansas to impose new restrictions on abortion providers or regulations on clinics.

But just days before her confirmation hearing, she signed legislation that would ensure that women and girls seeking abortions are allowed to see ultrasound images or hear their fetus' heartbeat before the procedure, a measure strongly backed by abortion foes.

"My sense is she has strong personal views, but has worked hard to make abortion as rare as possible," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a Finance Committee member, said in an interview.

While Obama has pushed for health care overhaul, lawmakers have questioned how the administration would pay for the plan. Sebelius didn't address how to pay for the plan or mention what's emerged as the most divisive issue — a proposal endorsed by Obama and many Democrats that would give Americans the option of buying medical coverage through a government plan.

That proposal has incited strong opposition from Republicans and the insurance industry who contend it would drive private insurers out of business.

Sebelius is Obama's second pick to head the department. Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle withdrew from consideration while apologizing for failing to pay $140,000 in taxes and interest.