Senate leaders say they have struck an agreement for an April 28 vote to confirm Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services. The Senate Finance Committee postponed its vote on her nomination after a hearing April 2, then moved Sebelius forward in a 15-8 vote last Tuesday. But confirmation was delayed again Thursday after Republicans stalled a call for the full floor vote (see Sebelius Confirmation Hits Speedbump, April 23). There could be up to eight hours of debate on the nomination, according to press reports, but Democrats say they are confident they have the 60 votes necessary for confirmation. Sebelius has said that, if confirmed, she will review Medicare's controversial DMEPOS competitive bidding program before it is implemented.
Monday, April 27, 2009