Problems face Sebelius if she is next health chief

WASHINGTON — A health-care system overhaul, weak finances in Medicare, lapses in food safety.

Those challenges and more await Kathleen Sebelius as President Obama's health secretary.

Gaining confirmation from the Senate would be the Kansas governor's first hurdle.

She has clashed with abortion opponents in the state, and they may try to carry the fight to Washington.

Obama planned to introduce Sebelius today as his nominee to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Later this week he is to host lawmakers and representatives of major interest groups at a White House summit on health-care reform.

On Sunday, Sebelius won praise from several Republican governors, her state's Senators — both Republicans — and the chairman of the Senate panel that will handle her nomination.

Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Sebelius would make a "strong partner" in revamping the health-care system and that she "really gets what needs to be done."

Republican Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Sonny Perdue of Georgia and Jon Huntsman of Utah also applauded her nomination.

Sebelius, 60, is seen as a steady hand, an experienced public official who knows how to work across political lines.

As a former state insurance commissioner, she is unfazed by the complexities of health-care and insurance issues.

But she represents Obama's backup plan.

Originally, the president had counted on former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle to shepherd his health overhaul agenda through Congress.

Daschle would have worn two hats: health secretary and head of a White House health reform office.

He was on a first-name basis with most senators, where health-care legislation faces its stiffest test.

But Daschle dropped out of consideration after his failure to pay taxes on all his earnings came to light.

Sebelius knows some of the key players, but she will have to establish a working relationship with others.

Obama plans to name a different person for the White House health-care job, raising the prospect of tensions between that office and the health secretary's.

The health insurance industry and consumer groups have responded favorably to Sebelius' nomination.

Obama made his opening move on a health-care overhaul last week with a speech to Congress and a budget that set aside $634 billion over 10 years as a down payment on coverage for all, a goal that could ultimately cost $1 trillion or more.