Ready to tackle issues surrounding the outbreak of swine flu gripping the United States, new U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will find no smaller challenge in helping to remedy national health care issues.

Kathleen Sebelius

Sebelius, the former Kansas governor and insurance commissioner, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate 65-31 April 28, more than a month after she was introduced as a nominee to the post by President Barack Obama. She was quickly sworn into office by the president.

In a statement, Sebelius said she is “grateful for the opportunity to serve at such a pivotal moment in our history,” noting the flu outbreak.

As the outbreak garners her immediate attention, health care reform is fast approaching with numerous legislators working on bills for consideration. Recently, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont) indicated a July deadline for his Senate Finance Committee to begin marking up reform legislation.

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) has also been spending numerous months on his own health care reform legislation and praised Sebelius’ approval by the Senate.

“With the confirmation of Governor Sebelius, the commitment of the Administration and Congress to passing health care reform this year now moves into high gear,” Kennedy, the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a statement. “I’m confident that President Obama will have us well on the way to the landmark enactment of quality, affordable health care as a right for all Americans.”

Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kansas) said he looks forward “to a vigorous debate” with his state’s former governor “on a number of healthcare issues facing Kansas and the nation.”

“From meeting the needs of rural healthcare to increasing physician reimbursement levels to establishing electronic medical records, I will continue supporting efforts to improve healthcare for Americans,” he said in a statement. “We must resist efforts that lead to rationed healthcare, expansion of taxpayer-funded health insurance, limitations on a patient’s freedom to choose the best treatment options, and taxpayer-funded abortion on demand. ”

Tiahrt added that policies “must work with small business owners and workers so that we can have more affordable healthcare that provides a higher quality of life for our families.”

Sebelius served as Kansas’ insurance commissioner from 1994 to 2002 and is also a former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Since 2003, she served as governor of Kansas, a Democrat leading a traditional heavily Republican state.