Obama nominates Health & Human Services secretary, announces health-center grants

Kathleen Sebelius

President Barack Obama nominated Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services early Monday afternoon.

Most political media were pointing to Sebelius as head of Health and Human Services by the end of last week.

“Kathleen Sebelius has a remarkable intellect, unquestioned integrity and the kind of pragmatic wisdom you’ll tend to find in a Kansan,” Obama said as he announced his nomination. “I know she will bring some much-needed grace and good humor to Washington, and she will be a tremendous asset to my cabinet.”

Obama also chose health-care expert Nancy-Ann DeParle to lead the White House Office of Health Reform.

Both Sebelius and DeParle spent part of their careers as state insurance commissioners.

Obama also announced that $155 million of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would go as grants to 126 new health centers nationwide. He said this support would provide care for 750,000 Americans and create 5,000 jobs.

Ohio’s take of the health center money is expected to be $6.4 million, according to Health and Human Services. That money is expected to care for 25,940 Ohio residents and create 190 jobs at new health centers.