Confirmation of Obama's HHS Sec choice still on hold

Support for abortion and for research on the comparative effectiveness of disease treatments could be two stumbling blocks to the confirmation  of US President Barack Obama's choice of Kathleen Sebelius (Democrat  Governor, Kansas) for the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services  (Marketletter March 9).

This is the last Cabinet appointment still to be cleared through the  normal congressional system. In a Senate Finance Committee meeting,  eight of 10 Republican members opposed Gov Sebelius' nomination,  although there was overall support in a 15-to-eight vote. A full Senate  vote is now expected next week.

One of the opposers was Senator Jon Kyl (Republican, Arizona) who,  according to the Washington Post, fears that her evidence-based  approach, coupled with information on price, could lead to rationing of  health care. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican,  Kentucky) objected, saying that lawmakers need more time to consider her  "fairly contentious" selection.