U.S. President-elect Barack Obama selected former Sen. Tom Daschle as health and human services secretary and director of a new White House office on health reform. Obama said it was imperative to revamp the U.S. health care system in which 15 % of the people are uninsured. "Over the past eight years, premiums have nearly doubled and more families are facing more medical debt than ever before," said Obama.

In earlier administrations the White House and not the Cabinet has led attempts to expand coverage and Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, with this appointment will be the top Obama authority on healthcare reform. Chris Jennings, who was President Bill Clinton's senior health care adviser said, Daschle's joint appointment "ensures that there is one primary voice speaking on behalf of the president when it comes to health care reform. Both in the Bush and in the Clinton administrations, there was a question about who was talking for the president and what level of authority they have. This resolves it from day one."

Obama introduced Daschle at a Chicago news conference and stressed the link between reviving the economy and making health coverage more affordable and accessible to more people. "If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address our health care challenge. I can think of no one better suited to lead this effort," Obama said. 

Daschle, 61, the ex-senator from South Dakota said he intended to fix the health care system by expanding coverage, improving quality and slowing costs. "We have the most expensive health care system in the world, but are not the healthiest nation in the world," Daschle said. "Our growing costs are unsustainable, and the plight of the uninsured is unconscionable."

Ron Pollock executive director of Families USA, which advocates for universal health coverage called Daschle’s appointment a practical move. "Now you've got that integrated in one person who has the full confidence of the president-elect, and is well liked and respected in Congress where the reform debate is taking place," he said.

The American Medical Association said Daschle as a leader "has demonstrated a commitment to working with physicians" and said the creation of a White House office on health reform "highlights the importance and priority" that Obama places on the issue.

 Daschle and his team are to hold a series of meetings across the country to discuss what ordinary Americans thought were the biggest problems with the healthcare system."Our growing costs are unsustainable, and the plight of the uninsured is unconscionable," Daschle said.