Sebelius may oversee Medicare, Medicaid

Monday, March 2, 2009

President Barack Obama plans to officially introduce Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his secretary of health and human services today.

Should Sebelius be confirmed, she will step down as governor of Kansas and pass the position on to Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson. Parkinson was formerly a member of the Republican Party, until he switched to the Democratic Party in order to run on Sebelius’ ticket.

Andrew Toth, Colby sophomore and president of KU Young Democrats, said although the nomination was a good step for Sebelius, it would be a step backward for Kansas.

“The chances of a Democratic governor being elected in Kansas again are very slim,” he said. “All that she’s worked for as a Democrat with a Republican Congress may be undone.”

The Associated Press reported that if Sebelius accepted the nomination, the tasks ahead of her would be daunting. High on the agenda as secretary of HHS would be handling the health care system overhaul, taking care of finances in Medicare and fixing lapses in food safety.

Sebelius has eight years of experience as insurance commissioner of Kansas, and the AP said she won praise from several Republican governors and from the chairman of the Senate panel.

Sebelius recently signed the 2009 budget for Kansas, an issue she said in December she wouldn’t abandon.

— — Edited by Grant Treaster

Editorial: Sebelius’ experience will help as Secretary ...

The governor will do more good in Washington than she could have ...

/news/2009/mar/09/editorial_sebelius/

Governor’s departure poses problems

Sebelius’ acceptance of HHS secretary leaves Kansas’ future and Obama’s health care ...

/news/2009/mar/03/governors_departure/

Students contemplate Sebelius’ future

Obama aides say Kansas governor might be next Health and Human Services ...

/news/2009/feb/23/sebelius/

Cohen: Sebelius should stay on for now ...

A Cabinet post would be great, but the governor is needed more ...

/news/2009/feb/18/cohen_sebelius/

Sebelius reportedly Obama's choice for health secretary

The governor's possible departure could mean a shift of power in Topeka.

/news/2009/feb/19/sebelius_reportedly/

Parkinson may fill governorship

Lt. Gov. Parkinson would fill governor’s vacancy if Sebelius is chosen for ...

/news/2009/feb/10/parkinson_may/

Columnists: Goodbyes to the governor

Kansan columnists share their views of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

/news/2009/mar/09/columnists_goodbyes/

Harold Godwin to speak on health care

Godwin will discuss the issues former Gov. Sebelius will face in her ...

/news/2009/may/05/harold_godwin_healthcare/

Sebelius persuades students to support Obama

Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the University on Monday about the upcoming Democratic ...

/news/2008/feb/05/sebelius_persuades/

Sebelius VP bid ends

Home state, lack of foreign policy experience keep Kansas governor from winning ...

/news/2008/aug/25/sebelius/

Sebelius avoids revealing political plans

The Kansas governor said she was happy the national spotlight had been ...

/news/2008/aug/28/sebelius_avoids_revealing_future_political_plans/

Chancellor to be inaugurated on Sunday

Secretary Sebelius, Gov. Parkinson among speakers expected at Chancellor Gray-Little’s installation ceremony.

/news/2010/apr/09/chancellor-be-inaugurated-sunday/

Does Sebelius really have the veep potential?

/news/2008/aug/21/sebelius/

Holmes: Current Kansas GOP strength: a precursor ...

Holmes discusses the Kansas republican party's potential comeback.

/news/2009/aug/25/holmes_current_kansas_gop_strength/

Letter: Democrats don't play transparent

Before you blame Republicans for America's problems, look at what Democrats have ...

/news/2011/sep/25/letter-democrats-dont-play-transparent/

Moore reiterates Obama support at DNC

The representative for Kansas’ 3rd congressional district also says Sebelius has Cabinet ...

/news/2008/aug/29/moore/

Affordable Care Act insures young adults

The Affordable Care Act has caused an increase in the amount of ...

/news/2011/sep/21/act-insures/

Editorial: State payroll should never be in ...

People's paychecks should not be a bargaining chip in the legislature.

/news/2009/feb/19/editorial_state/

Sen. Brownback addresses RNC delegates

He says Gov. Sebelius would lose Senate race for his seat, endorses ...

/news/2008/sep/05/convention/

Holmes: Svaty is best pick for Democrats’ ...

Holmes on the best man for the left.

/news/2009/sep/09/svaty_best_pick_democrats_next_gubernatorial_candi/

Optimism, commitment top Chancellor's goals

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little’s inaugural speech emphasized academic success, dedication to research initiatives.

/news/2010/apr/12/optimism-commitment-tops-chancellors-goals/

Sen. John McCain chooses Gov. Sarah Palin ...

McCain announced his choice of Palin on Friday morning.

/news/2008/aug/29/sen_john_mccain_chooses_gov_sarah_palin_vp/

Letter: Criticism toward Democrats is misguided

Response to criticism of Democratic leaders.

/news/2011/sep/28/letter-criticism-toward-democrats-misguided/

Compton: Republicans gain momentum with recent wins

It's not over yet.

/news/2009/nov/12/republicans/

Student delegate details Democratic Convention

Clarissa Unger has spent time across the country campaigning for Barack Obama.

/news/2008/sep/02/student_delegate/

Tickets available for Chancellor's inauguration

Gray-Little will formally become the KU Chancellor on April 11.

/news/2010/mar/21/tickets-available-chancellors-inauguration/

Republican Kobach files for Kansas Secretary of ...

Republican attorney Kris Kobach has filed for his party's nomination to be ...

/news/2010/jun/08/republican-kobach-files-sec-state/

Live Blog: Midterm Elections

Follow our coverage of local elections from reporters and wire services throughout ...

/news/2010/nov/02/live-blog-midterm-elections/

Durbin: Sebelius made right decision

Governor’s pulled support for coal plant will prevent pollution

/news/2007/oct/26/durbin/

Sarah Palin makes for a fascinating, if ...

Since her elevation to the Republican ticket, the Alaskan governor has been ...

/news/2008/nov/03/sarah_palin/

Brinker: Social issues still key

The GOP race will come down to who has the best social-issue ...

/news/2011/sep/26/social-issues-still-key/

Republicans demand Sebelius sign budget

Without it, GOP senators say they won’t allow the state to pay ...

/news/2009/feb/17/republicans_budget/

Profiles of Candidates

/news/2005/apr/08/news_campus_profile1/

Parkinson addresses budget shortfall, prevents cuts to ...

In a speech today, Gov. Parkinson released his plan to address budget ...

/news/2010/mar/05/parkinson-addresses-budget-shortfall-prevents-cuts/

Sen. Barack Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden ...

After months of speculation, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee announces his running ...

/news/2008/aug/23/sen_barack_obama_picks_sen_joe_biden_delaware_vp/

Democrats retain hope in wake of losses

Despite losing all major races, members of the Democratic Party said is ...

/news/2010/nov/03/democrats-retain-/

University trims expenditures to prepare for budget ...

State agencies will face a 3 percent budget cut for the upcoming ...

/news/2008/nov/06/university_trims_expenditures_prepare_budget_cuts/

Brinker: The great American rant

Everyone is angry, but where are the fingers really pointing?

/news/2010/feb/03/brinker-great/

And the candidates are...

Candidates are outlined for each race with platform statements and general information.