HHS Secretary Sebelius steps down; Director Burwell nominated

After nearly 5 years at her post and several months of scrutiny after the troubled launch of the federal online insurance marketplace, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has resigned, according to the White House.

Kathleen Sebelius

“This is the most meaningful work that I’ve ever been a part of,” Sebelius said during a press conference at the White House this morning. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy [but] we are making progress, tremendous progress.”

The resignation of Sebelius, 65, who has been targeted by Democrats as well as Republicans for the troubles the HealthCare.gov insurance exchange site has faced since launch, comes a week after the enrollment period closed for health plans under the Affordable Care Act. According to a statement from the White House, Sebelius notified President Barack Obama in early March of her decision.

“At the end of the day, health is personal. It’s personal to all of us,” Sebelius said. “The Affordable Care Act is the most significant social change in this country in this 50-year period of time.”

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, director of the Office of Management and Budget, was officially nominated by Obama during an event at the White House this morning. Burwell, 48, has overseen the budget office for approximately 1 year and already played a key role in implementing health care policy.

“The president sought a nominee with strong credentials in management, implementation and performance for this important role,” according to a White House statement received by Healio.com. “Burwell’s combination of public and private sector experiences makes her the right person to steer HHS in the coming years.”

Sebelius echoed that sentiment during the announcement: “She will be a terrific leader for HHS.”

In a statement Thursday, US Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., himself an advocate for accessible and quality health care and champion for reform, commended Sebelius for maintaining “grace under pressure” throughout her tenure.

“She never backed down from the tremendous responsibilities of her position, which were of a magnitude no other cabinet secretary has ever had to face with regard to domestic policy,” Rockefeller said. “As Secretary, she was given the enormous task of putting in place and executing the most sweeping health care legislation in our nation’s history. Not once did she let attacks from both the left and the right deter her from the goal of bringing health care to millions of uninsured Americans, and working to improve the health of people across the nation.”

A statement issued Thursday by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., conveys a government commitment to overcoming obstacles and forging forward in the name of public health.

“Defending the president’s health care law is a punishing assignment, and our committee has never hesitated to ask the tough questions of Secretary Sebelius and the other officials involved in its implementation,” Upton said. “She may be finished in her role overseeing the law, but our efforts to get answers and relief for the American people will continue.”