Obama picks ex-Senate leader to head health

US President-elect Barack Obama continues to assemble his White House team with reports stating he has appointed senior Democrat Tom Daschle as his Health Secretary.

The selection of the ex-Senate leader is being seen as a sign Obama intends to make an aggressive push to overhaul America’s healthcare system.

As head of the department, Daschle is likely to spearhead Obama’s planned healthcare reforms, particularly the expansion of coverage to nearly 50 million uninsured Americans, a key election campaign promise.

With David Axelrod named as Obama’s senior White House adviser, another Democratic passionate about healthcare – Hilary Clinton – could also be brought into the fold.

Rumours are circling Obama is set to choose his former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination as Secretary of State.

Husband and former President Bill Clinton is said to be working behind the scenes to address his own business interests, so his wife can get the job.

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tags: Health, USA