Health IT insiders say they support President-elect Barack Obama's reported pick of former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to be the next HHS secretary, Healthcare IT News reports.
The Obama transition team has not yet formally announced the nomination, but sources are confirming that Daschle has accepted the position.
Sources also report that Daschle will serve as the top health care adviser, or health care czar, to the Obama White House, Healthcare IT News reports.
Reaction
Deborah Peel, founder of the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, said, "Former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle has a long reputation for listening to all sides and building coalitions to find solutions to difficult problems," adding, "Health care reform and health care IT are extremely difficult problems, so his approach will be a welcome and much-needed change."
John Halamka, CIO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said Daschle has "a deep understanding of the need to increase the value of health care in this country by reducing costs and enhancing quality." Halamka added that increasing the use of interoperable health IT will help the Obama administration achieve these goals (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 11/19).
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said, "Sen. Daschle has long been committed to reforming health care so that all Americans get quality, effective care," adding, "Daschle promotes greater transparency, paying for quality care and a fully electronic health system."
Gingrich, founder of the Center for Health Transformation, said that "2009 will be a critical year in making real progress toward a 21st century intelligent heath system" (Center for Health Transformation release, 11/19).