March 2, 2009
Posted: March 2nd, 2009 11:15 AM ET

From
 Administration officials say President Obama is expected to name Nancy Ann Min DeParle as his new director of the White House office on health reform this afternoon.
Administration officials say President Obama is expected to name Nancy Ann Min DeParle as his new director of the White House office on health reform this afternoon.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Administration officials say President Obama is expected to name Nancy Ann Min DeParle as his new director of the White House office on health reform this afternoon. The announcement is expected to come at the same East Room event where the president will name Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

DeParle's position, also referred to as White House health care czar, was initially to be filled by Obama's first HHS pick, former Senator Tom Daschle. DeParle would work with Sebelius as the President's point person to coordinate the administration's outreach to Congress regarding health care reform. It is not a cabinet position, but considered a key post.

Daschle was to hold both positions as someone who had health care expertise, and a former Senate Majority Leader with the Washington know-how to maneuver Obama's ambitious health care agenda through Congress, before tax problems derailed his nomination and he withdrew.

DeParle is a managing director at CCMO Capital, a private-equity firm. She is a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (medPAC), a group that advises Congress on Medicare payment and policy issues. She previously served a top health official in the Clinton administration. 

Obama administration officials say the health care czar position will be similar to the role Hillary Clinton played when, as First Lady, she attempted to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

Filed under: Kathleen Sebelius • Nancy Ann Min DeParle • President Obama


maria loredo   March 2nd, 2009 3:08 pm ET

Wouldn’t it just be best to give every citizen and might as well every illegal 1,000,000 each. I can definately stimulate the economy.

Market is down 211 points thanks to the “CHANGE” offered by our Appeaser in Chief,Obama Pork Laden.

For freedom to exist we need good morals to be present!!! Something the democrats dont have. That’s why the United States is on the road to failure.

april   March 2nd, 2009 3:01 pm ET

This must be part of Obama's plan to put people back to work, give them all czar positions, it's starting to look a little top heavy at the Whitehouse. It gives me the impression of a shadow government, that only answers to the president and his croonies, not to Congress ,or the American people. Makes Obama look incompetant since he needs all these underlings to do the job.

Robert   March 2nd, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Why do we need a Czar for everything? I thought this was why we have Cabinet Secretaries?

Dems be dopes   March 2nd, 2009 2:52 pm ET

Another Gov't job created, another 3,999,999 to go...

Change you can believe in!

bigcheese   March 2nd, 2009 2:35 pm ET

Want a good laugh.Check out HBOs "the right :feeling wronged"I laughed till I cried.Shows you we need more money for education.

virginia nielsen   March 2nd, 2009 2:29 pm ET

If we didn't IMPEACH Bush after a invasion of a country for no reason, 10 billion dollars a month ( times 12 months, times 6 years !) and almost 5 thousand young kids dead , anybody else is good to go!!!

Typical White Person   March 2nd, 2009 2:17 pm ET

Where, exactly, in the constitution does it say we have "Czars" in our government?

By the way, for those of you who don't know what the constitution is, its the thing that 4 of the 9 Supreme Court judges ignore when it suits them to advance their liberal agenda.

And apparently the Obamanation is going to do the same thing. DC is not a state and, therefore, under the constitution CANNOT have a voting seat in the House.

Kevin in Ohio   March 2nd, 2009 2:13 pm ET

Czarist America. Like Czarist Russia that preceeded the USSR. Welcome to the USSA.

Mark, B'ham., Al.   March 2nd, 2009 2:10 pm ET

If you want to cut medical cost lets put the ambulance chaseing lawyers and the crooked insurance people on the unemployemnt line. When I was a paramedic in 1978 malpractice insurance for the compny was $10,000.00 per paramedic and the hospital my mom work @ paid $10,000.00 per nurse for malpractice insurance. There is a big drop in medical cost with Tort Reform but we know the Lawyers in Congress will help their buddies instead of the American People.

Sniffit   March 2nd, 2009 2:08 pm ET

@ luke

For what? Upholding the Constitution and trying his darndest to fix the mess left by the GOPtard Bush? You've got nothing and I can priomise you that the surest way to guarantee a couple decades of Democratic majority and the complete marginalization of the GOP is to pull another stunt like you guys did with Ken Star over a BJ. The czars are Obama's agents and, as such, their actions are his actions. Ultimately, he must answer to Congress for anything they do that might be considered unconstitutional and/or breaches the separation of powers, etc. They might not have to answer to Congress themselves, but as principle, Obama would.

Hammer   March 2nd, 2009 2:05 pm ET

I guess the stock market in the tank and jobless numbers have nothing to do with the direction Obama is trying to take the U.S.
It is about time people woke up.

Kathy   March 2nd, 2009 1:56 pm ET

I agree with luke. Obama is ruining our country.

The Last Patriot   March 2nd, 2009 1:54 pm ET

It is wonderful that we have another czar to command us. You can never have too many.

Josh   March 2nd, 2009 1:52 pm ET

What do you think the chances are that this candidate has not paid all of his or her taxes? I say 50%. Any takers?

starr   March 2nd, 2009 1:52 pm ET

It is amazing that all of Obama's picks for health care czar are party insiders that have no relevant healthcare experience
Senator Daschle...his only real health care experience outside the beltway was representing CVS as a lawyer..
Kathleen Sabelius....she had some vague interaction with the insurance commisioner but no real health care experience.
Why not find a Doctor or someone who delivers care on a daily basis who is involve in the day to day life of individuals who understands practically how the backroom legislation willl play out in real life. It is unbelievable that Obama campaigned as a people's president but his actions are entirely different. By the way, What ever Happened to Howard Dean...at least he was a doctor! (Now there is healthcare experience!)

Raymond   March 2nd, 2009 1:47 pm ET

@ Once you vote Black,

Terrible choice. Bush was so much smarter thAn Obama. Democrats hate when we compare Bush to Obama because Obama is as smart as a bag of Chicago Monkey Turds (which is poop).

Boy – doesn't insulting a President make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

Sandra   March 2nd, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Obama will bankrupt this country.

He should take a good look at California and where we are at from too much spending. You can't keep taxing the taxpayers more and more to pay for those who are NOT taxpayers.

steve   March 2nd, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Don't we have more Czars than Russia now? Must be Obama's Marxist leanings.

Kim   March 2nd, 2009 1:43 pm ET

Good choice. I hope she opposes insurance coverage of Viagra, etc. when many insurance plans will not cover contraception.

Mari   March 2nd, 2009 1:32 pm ET

One of Obama's ideas is to MODEL the National Healthcare after the Healthcare enjoyed and offered to members of Congress!

PLEASE...... folks, inform yourselves, do not allow the far-right-fear-and-lies-mongers to influence you!

EVERY 30 SECONDS...... AN AMERICAN FAMILY.........FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF HEALTHCARE!

southerncousin   March 2nd, 2009 1:29 pm ET

Seems like every time he opens his mouth, my 401(k) goes lower, and now he is going to "fix" my health care and social security. He sure is a great president(?) Yes, so much smarter as well as smarmier.

chris   March 2nd, 2009 1:23 pm ET

Anyone else find the number of czars in our new form of government troubling?

decent american   March 2nd, 2009 1:20 pm ET

oh yea, he can do no wrong... (as my 401 k is imploding.. tick tick tick)

he is ALL TALK, and some communism. nice mix.

cnnnewser   March 2nd, 2009 1:17 pm ET

So glad we'll have someone to fill this position!

susie   March 2nd, 2009 1:14 pm ET

Obama is bringing down the stock market.

Arkay, MI   March 2nd, 2009 1:12 pm ET

luke and 'puke' – Please stay on the subject.

pete   March 2nd, 2009 1:11 pm ET

I hope he appointed someone fat and lazy, to live up to the Geithner tax cheat standards.

Jeff Wade   March 2nd, 2009 12:59 pm ET

This creature just gets uglier and uglier with every photo I see of it.

bills2pay   March 2nd, 2009 12:56 pm ET

I love socialism. Can't wait for my check.

Bld   March 2nd, 2009 12:50 pm ET

Luke,

Consider yourself ignored.

Anonymous   March 2nd, 2009 12:50 pm ET

Would you people realize we are not in Russia and have no Czar? I hate that term; how unprofessional.

Splurge   March 2nd, 2009 12:46 pm ET

President Obama will never make any mistakes.

Sharon Kitchen   March 2nd, 2009 12:42 pm ET

Yes.......now the healthe care BIG issue can begin to get inorder.It has been under -cared about for these past 8 longgggggggggg years.

David S.   March 2nd, 2009 12:41 pm ET

Oh great, another government bureacracy being born.

Bob from Michigan   March 2nd, 2009 12:34 pm ET

WHAT ABOUT PAKISTAN?????? Did you read Gates comments????

As ridiculous as this might sound but we CONTINUE to believe that helping Pakistan WILL help us achieve this goal of decimating Taliban in Pakistan and this is plain and simple STUPID... Reason: Pakistan state / Government is FULL and INFESTED with the radicals and Islamic Fanatics and 85% of the funds are in fact going to strengthen the Al Quaida and the terrorists....

SOLUTION: Follow the example of Iraq. In fact, if not for Bush's ego and stupid policies, we should have quarantined Pakistan instead of Iraq!!

Bridgette-PA   March 2nd, 2009 12:34 pm ET

Hey "Luke", you want the WRONG President to be impeached. Let's not go there!

mag   March 2nd, 2009 12:33 pm ET

Impeach Bush!

Rick   March 2nd, 2009 12:32 pm ET

Der Fuhrer Obama has spoken....opposition will not be tolerated!

JJ   March 2nd, 2009 12:32 pm ET

Another Czar that reports or is accountable to NO ONE. And you all complain about the Bush secrecy......

luke   March 2nd, 2009 12:26 pm ET

puke for luke. Can you read? or are you just ignorantly oblivious to the happenings that go on in our daily life?

Scott, Tucson   March 2nd, 2009 12:25 pm ET

Well there's one more Job that Obama filled, just about 6 million more to go.

Dan   March 2nd, 2009 12:25 pm ET

Can we please stop appointing czars? Do we want to turn in to Russia? I guess that is what this administration is trying hard to do...

NC   March 2nd, 2009 12:25 pm ET

why do they have to end everything with "czar", this is the U.S.A. , not the U.S.S.A. , i agree with luke, Impeach Nobama.......

Mary J.   March 2nd, 2009 12:25 pm ET

Luke the man has done nothng wrong. You amust be a Republicans that don't wnat change. You are use to the rich getting rich and the poor getting poor. If you would step back and look at what he is doing and see if that works you will have a better outlook on life. People are now to quick to judge but not Bush.

Jon in CA   March 2nd, 2009 12:24 pm ET

"Healthcare Czar"... the perfect title for someone pushing socialistic universal healthcare.

Deborah   March 2nd, 2009 12:24 pm ET

Clearly his new "pick" doesn't have the experience or clout to pull off the unrealistic mission.

When are the American people going to WAKE UP to the fact that we are in deep do do with not ready for prime time Leadership!

IMPEACH NOW AND HOPE THERE IS SOME CHANGE LEFT!

Deborah   March 2nd, 2009 12:23 pm ET

Clearly his new "pick" doesn't have the experience or clout to pull off the unrealistic mission.

When are the American people going to WAKE UP to the fact that we are in deep do do with not ready for prime time Leadership!

IMPEACH NOW AND HOPE THERE IS SOME CHANGE LEFT!

No Hillary = No Obama   March 2nd, 2009 12:23 pm ET

All these appointments. Let's see if there are any substantive results.

demwit   March 2nd, 2009 12:21 pm ET

similar roll as Hillary!?

What waaaaas that.., holding tea parties in the west room while your spouse gets blowed by interns in the east room!!??

Once you vote Black   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Great choice. Obama is so much smarter then Bush. GOPers hate when we compare Obama to Bush because Bush was as smart as a bag of Texas Cow Pie (which is poop).

barbara   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Why does he insist that everyone be given the title of "czar"? This is not communist Russia....yet.

Once you vote Black   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Great choice. Obama is so much smarter then Bush. GOPers hate when we compare Obama to Bush because Bush was as smart as a bag of Texas Cow Pie (which is poop). Here is an idea, Luke if you don't like The One being in charge go back to Europe.

CAL   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Luke your comment has me LMAO. There is no way President will be impeached he's the best thing that has happen to this country in about 10 years. I love you haters, I enjoy the hearty laugh people like you give. go and spread you hate on limbaugh's radio show, maybe between the two of you somebody will listen, however i wouldn't bet on it. LOL limbaugh, the voice of the republicians, oh my goodness I'm cracking up with laughter.

INDEPENDANT VET   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

A FIRST GRADER , THAT CAN READ , A ROAD SIGN SAYING , BEWARE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO DEBREA , AND YOU EGNORE IT , AN GET A FLAT TIRE , AN KEEP ON DRIVING . THIS IS OBAMA NOMICS . WHEN WILL HE LEARN THAT PELOSI AN COMPANY . ARE JUST CHEER LEADERS. GET JOE THE PLUMER , TO UN PLUG HIS EARS , MAYBE HE WILL STOP BEFORE , HE GOES OVER THE CLIFF . MAY NOT BE AS GOOD A SWIMMER AS KENNDY WAS .

BEST HE GO IN BACK ROOM AN HAVE A FEW MORE PUFFS. THEN TALK TO THE DAILEY MACHINE. .

FOR HEALTH REFORM , SHUT UP AND LISTEN . A BAND AIDE DOES NOT STOP EVERYTHING . FOR AS IT IS GOING , THERE WILL NOT BE ENEOUGH FOR A BAND AIDE.

demwit   March 2nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Another Czar? What ever happened to seperation of powers??

Oh never mind.., I love Obama, he can do no wrong.

Bob the Observer   March 2nd, 2009 12:18 pm ET

Kudos for seeing the need for this position. Caution about who fills it. If we get a real economist, someone with common sense, this administration can solve a lot of problems. If we get another socialist, we will continue on our road toward third world medical care.

God speed, President Obama. Choose well.

no corporate politics   March 2nd, 2009 12:18 pm ET

"Health Care Czar" = the woman to blame if the glorious health care nirvana doesn't come to be.

Had It   March 2nd, 2009 12:17 pm ET

Imprison Bush/Cheney/Rove for selling our country down the drain for all their oil buddies and themselves to make a profit.

Melissa   March 2nd, 2009 12:15 pm ET

luke, stop being so hateful. He's done nothing to deserve that. Why are you so hateful? Bush did alot worse to this country than Obama has done. Obama is actually investing in the country rather than promoting hatred and intollerance like Bush and the Republicans.

As for the health care position.... good. I hope it isn't a Republican.

Melissa   March 2nd, 2009 12:15 pm ET

luke, stop being so hateful. He's done nothing to deserve that. Why are you so hateful? Bush did alot worse to this country than Obama has done. Obama is actually investing in the country rather than promoting hatred and intollerance like Bush and the Republicans.

As for the health care position.... good. I hope it isn't a Republican. The Republicans

Linda K.   March 2nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

@FreeNLovIt, Since when has there been innovation in American health care? Chemotherapy has been shown to be toxic to a large number of patients and yet this continues to the the major cancer treatment available in this country even while European countries are succeeding with many other options. This is only one example. Our health care–or disease care–system is stuck in a rut. I hope we take a clue from other, more progressive, countries and learn new ways.

geecee   March 2nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Luke – get your head examined asap.

Tom in Delaware   March 2nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

There can only be one Czar and that's Obamanov himself.

Matt   March 2nd, 2009 12:11 pm ET

Clinton's third term except Obama does not have Clinton's ability to manage the economy. "Hope and Change" will be all we're left with after his term is up and our taxes go up too.

puke for luke   March 2nd, 2009 12:11 pm ET

President Obama is a great leader.

Houston   March 2nd, 2009 12:08 pm ET

I can't stand Obama and his lies.

Pat from Kansas   March 2nd, 2009 12:03 pm ET

Luke, If anyone needed to be impeached, it should have been Bush.

Kevin in Ohio   March 2nd, 2009 12:01 pm ET

Stop the bleeding!!!!!!!! Fix the economy first!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin in Ohio   March 2nd, 2009 12:00 pm ET

More government bureacracy.

Rob   March 2nd, 2009 11:59 am ET

This guy's had more czars in 1 month than Russia did in 500 years!

FreeNLovIt   March 2nd, 2009 11:59 am ET

What are you going to do, to make sure we bring cost down? Innovation is being squashed and it can lower cost. WE're stuck with $200,000 pills and 10,000,000 dollars machine when innovations could have made them cheaper and better.

orca hes the man   March 2nd, 2009 11:54 am ET

havent we had enough czars for a few life times?They always seem to go before a total collapse.

luke   March 2nd, 2009 11:52 am ET

Impeach Obama

Mike in Houston   March 2nd, 2009 11:50 am ET

Crazy crazy crazy. Obama is showing why 48% of the voters were correct.

still hoping   March 2nd, 2009 11:50 am ET

4 million jobs, one government post at a time. Once way to keep a promise when his economic plans can do nothing, hire them all for the government at taxpayers expense.

he should appoint a Czar of, "What the hell am I doing??!?!?!"

j   March 2nd, 2009 11:49 am ET

HURRY, HURRY--- This economy is making me SICK !!!!!!!!

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   March 2nd, 2009 11:47 am ET

Yeah, "czar" is the right word for yet another government tyrant imposed on American citizens.

Tony   March 2nd, 2009 11:46 am ET

Obama is going to name plenty of czars during his administration. His next position to fill is propaganda czar.

ray ray   March 2nd, 2009 11:44 am ET

Considering Russia gave us Czars and Communism – it's only fitting that Barry – the Socialist name all these taxpayer wasting positions called Czars.

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