Great article about Sebellius' record and approach to health care - she actually sounds pretty good

[democrattotheend]

"In her several roles in state government, she has fought the insurance industry, protected state health programs, and boosted Medicaid pay to physicians..."

“She’s somebody who understands the dynamics of health care very well,” said Tom Bell, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association. “She understands how the system works and has a very good grasp of the moving parts...

“I view the potential of her being secretary of Health and Human Services as a positive for Kansas and the nation,” said Kansas state Sen. Jim Barnett, a Republican who heads several health committees in the legislature and ran unsuccessfully against Sebelius for governor in 2006. Barnett said that Sebelius has been good at protecting services for the vulnerable, but also focusing on efficiency and cost control. “Our approach in Kansas has been to maintain those services and look in other areas for reductions and protect the most needy,” he said...

There is praise in Kansas for her bipartisan approach, a theme Obama has emphasized.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000003057297

It looks like she has worked with Republicans and insurance companies but also taken them on, and she has managed to protect the most needy from cuts in services as governor. I also read somewhere that when she ran for state insurance commissioner, she refused to take money from insurance companies, so I thought that was a big positive.

I'm one of the original Deaniacs (since March of 2003) and would love to see him get the HHS post, but I have to say, Sebellius looks like a pretty good choice.

[firedupdem]

1. I've heard good things about her as well. She'll do well in that

position.

[crimsonblue]

2. Of course Jim Barnett sees it as a positive for Kansas.

Sebelius is the only person keeping the GOP from ruining our state, and with her out of the way, they can push through all of their bullshit ideas, namely devastating cuts to education, worthless tax cuts that will further paralyze the state, and the construction of coal plants (in which none of the energy generated will powere Kansas homes) in lieu of increased funding and mandates for Wind power.

Kathleen, please stay in Kansas. We need you here!