Kathleen sebelius biography video of charleston

American politician (born 1948)

Kathleen Sebelius (; née Gilligan, born May 15, 1948) is an American politician who served as the 21st United States Grave of Health and Human Services steer clear of 2009 until 2014. As Secretary defer to Health and Human Services, Sebelius was instrumental in overseeing the implementation look up to the Affordable Care Act. Before befitting secretary, she served as the Fortyfourth governor of Kansas from 2003 tell somebody to 2009, the second woman to partnership that office. She is a associate of the Democratic Party. Sebelius was the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address^[1] extra is chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors Association (she was its first tender chair).^[2] She is CEO of Sebelius Resources LLC.

Early life and education

Sebelius was born and raised in Metropolis, Ohio, the daughter of Mary Kathryn (née Dixon) and John J. Gilligan.^[3][4] Sebelius was the second oldest diagram four children in her family.^[5] Go backward family ran funeral homes and scrap father was a city councilor infringe Cincinnati.^[5] Jack Gilligan ran for Coitus near the end of Sebelius's at this juncture in high school and served edge your way term in Congress.^[5][6] Her father was elected governor of Ohio when Sebelius was 21 years old.^[5] Sebelius upset in her father's campaign traveling interact the state.^[5] Her family was Draw to a close and has Irish ancestry.^[7][8]

She attended birth Summit Country Day School in Metropolis and graduated from Trinity Washington Establishment in Washington, D.C., with a Unwed of Arts in political science. She later earned a Master of Universal Administration degree from the University mislay Kansas.^[9] She moved to Kansas feature 1974.

Early career

Sebelius served as given that director and chief lobbyist for rectitude Kansas Trial Lawyers Association from 1977 to 1986.^[10][11]

Kansas House of Representatives (1987–1995)

Sebelius was first elected to the River House of Representatives in 1986. She won re-election in 1988, 1990, present-day 1992. She represented Topeka, Kansas.

Tenure

In the 1988 presidential election, she certified Gary Hart.^[12]

In 1991, she ran watch over become House Majority Leader but gone to State Representative Tom Sawyer earthly Wichita.^[13][14]

She is strongly pro-choice.^[15]

Committee assignments

Kansas Warranty Commissioner (1995–2003)

In 1994, Sebelius left rank state House of Representatives to bump for state Insurance Commissioner and kayoed political forecasters by winning – the first tight a Democrat had won the horizontal in over a century.

She refused to take campaign contributions from primacy insurance industry and blocked the minor merger of Blue Cross Blue Include of Kansas, the state's largest disease insurer, with an Indiana-based company. Sebelius's decision marked the first time decency corporation had been rebuffed in wear smart clothes acquisition attempts.^[17]

When Sebelius became commissioner superimpose 1995, the Insurance Department had break off annual budget of $11.7 million. Fail to see 2002, the budget had been uncomplicated to $10 million. Among the cuts was spending on contracted services make something stand out Sebelius fired two contracted lawyers puzzle out an audit discovered they had overbilled the state.^[18]

In 2001 Sebelius was given name as one of Governing Magazine's Disclose Officials of the Year while she was serving as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.^[19]

Governor of Kansas (2003–2009)

2002 election

Main article: 2002 Kansas gubernatorial election

In the general discretion, Sebelius's platform included promises to defend school budgets from budget cuts, battle-cry to raise taxes, and to absolutely review and overhaul the state government.^[5] Sebelius raised $4 million for character campaign, a Kansas state fundraising record.^[5] Sebelius defeated RepublicanKansas State TreasurerTim Shallenburger 53%–45%.^[20] Sebelius's election made her pointer her father the first father/daughter guide duo in the United States.^[21]

First term

Throughout her first term, Sebelius built observe her popularity and in January 2006 was tied for 20th most typical governor in the country.^[22]

During the 2004 election, CNN speculated Sebelius could get into a potential running mate for Privy Kerry.^[23]

In November 2005, Time named Sebelius as one of the five worst governors in America, praising her yearn eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited, ferreting out waste in situation government, and strongly supporting public education – all without raising taxes, although she minimal raising sales, property, and income taxes.^[24] The article also praised her twoparty approach to governing, a useful highlight in a state where Republicans possess usually controlled the Legislature.^[25]

In February 2006, the White House Project named Sebelius one of its "8 in '08", a group of eight female politicians who could possibly run and lay at somebody's door elected president in 2008.^[26] She was also cited by The New Royalty Times to be among the brigade most likely to become the greatest female President of the United States.^[27]

In October 2006, the Cato Institute gave Sebelius the grade of "D" immature person their biennial fiscal policy report pasteboard, which measures the fiscal performance clean and tidy U.S. governors based on spending direct taxes. Her grade was influenced from one side to the ot the combination of proposed tax increases and expanded spending growth beyond civilization plus inflation.^[28]

2006 re-election

Main article: 2006 River gubernatorial election

On May 26, 2006, Sebelius formally announced her candidacy for re-election. Four days later, Mark Parkinson, trace chair of the Kansas Republican Assemblage, switched his party affiliation to Democrat; the following day Sebelius announced think it over Parkinson would be her running associate for lieutenant governor. Parkinson had at one time served in the state House meanwhile 1991 and 1992 and the Parliament from 1993 to 1997. Parkinson was viewed as a pro-business moderate who strongly supported public education. This was somewhat reminiscent of the fact defer John Moore had also been swell Republican, before switching just days heretofore joining Sebelius as her running mate.^[29]

She was challenged by Republican Kansas Board SenatorJim Barnett. A September 1 Adventurer poll showed Sebelius with an 11% lead over Barnett.^[30] Other polls gave Sebelius as much as a 20% lead. As of 2004^[update], 50% use up Kansas voters were registered Republicans, compared to 27% as registered Democrats.^[31] Sebelius nevertheless won re-election, defeating Barnett 57%–41%. Because of Kansas's term limits supervision, her second term as Governor was her last.

Second term

See also: River state budget (2008–2009)

In February 2008, alongside Sebelius's second term in office, in all directions was a report in the Wichita Eagle that the State of River was suspending tax refunds and consider it, because of a lack of serious revenue, might not be able taking place meet payroll for state employees.^[32][33] Sebelius called for issuing certificates of obligation, moving funds from various state commission accounts into the general fund backing alleviate the crisis. However, Republican advance guard in the legislature did not change with her certificate of indebtedness blueprint, saying the state would be ineffectual to repay the certificates unless Sebelius issued allotments or signed a bulldoze rescission bill that had been passed by the legislature but had scream yet been delivered to her inactive. The standoff ended when the outgoings at all costs arrived, and Sebelius agreed to invention it, although she line-item vetoed very many cuts she felt were too very important. The rescission bill reduced the costs by about $300 million. $7 1000000 of the cuts came in class form of reduced educational funding.^[34]

After Barack Obama's clinching of the Democratic recommendation for President in June 2008, postulation that Sebelius would be a emulator for the vice presidential slot exert yourself the Democratic ticket continued.^[35] The Washington Post listed her as the honour prospect for the 2008 nomination.^[36]James Carville and Bob Novak also mentioned Sebelius's name,^[37][38] and Wesley Clark, also held a potential running mate, publicly ex officio Sebelius, referring to her as "the next vice-president of the United States".^[39] Speculation that the vice presidential situation lay in her future was noted by the fact that she was chosen by the Democratic Party's lawmaking leaders to give their party's bent response to Republican president George Weak. Bush's 2008 State of the Unity Address.^[40] The next day, she bona fide Obama's campaign, one week before justness Kansas caucus on Super Tuesday.^[41] Obama won the caucus easily, with 74% support.^[42]

Speculation on her vice presidential mixture intensified when a report from state ad agency insider, Tribble Ad Commission, reported on its website that description Obama Campaign owned the domain label "" through the registration service.^[43] On the contrary, just after midnight on August 23, it was reported by the Allied Press that Obama ultimately selected Joe Biden, the senior senator from Colony, as his running mate.^[44]

Sebelius is natty former chair of the Democratic Governors Association.^[45] She was the first motherly chair of the association (elected chimp such in 2006).^[2]

U.S. Secretary of Trim and Human Services (2009–2014)

Nomination

Sebelius was mediocre early supporter of Barack Obama's statesmanly campaign, endorsing him in January 2008.^[46] After he was elected the Impresario of the United States, Sebelius' obvious support for Obama and her softness to govern as a Democrat subtract a heavily Republican state made Sebelius look like a likely nominee lay out Obama's Cabinet.^[47][46] Sebelius asked to befall removed from consideration on December 6, 2008.^[48] Following Bill Richardson's withdrawal bring in Obama's nomination for Secretary of Activity, there was media speculation that Sebelius would be chosen as the newfound nominee.^{[49][50][51][52]} Through a spokesperson, Sebelius reiterated her earlier statement that she would not consider accepting a nomination touch the Cabinet position.^[53]

On February 28, 2009, it was reported that Sebelius esoteric accepted Obama's nomination for the pace of Secretary of Health and Sensitive Services. On March 2, 2009, Obama officially announced Governor Sebelius as diadem nominee.^[54] At Obama's announcement, Sebelius was accompanied by two Kansas Republicans, previous U.S. Senators Bob Dole and Case Roberts.

Sebelius was Obama's second decision for Secretary of Health and Living soul Services. Obama's first pick, former Lawmaker Tom Daschle, withdrew from consideration grant February 3 after it was unclosed he had over $140,000 in assessment errors.^[55][56] In a March 2009 indication to the Senate Finance Committee, Sebelius admitted to "unintentional errors" in excise returns and paid nearly $8,000 patent back taxes to rectify the errors.^[57][56][58] A letter to Sebelius from Congress Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unthinkable ranking member Chuck Grassley acknowledged their review of Sebelius found no harass items needing to be addressed playing field Baucus, a Democrat, publicly expressed crown continued support for Sebelius' nomination.^[58]

Anti-abortion activists and senators were the primary opponents of Sebelius's nomination.^[59] In answer oversee questions from the Senate Finance Assembly during her April 2009 confirmation take notice of, Sebelius stated she received $12,450 betwixt 1994 and 2001 from physician Martyr Tiller, one of only three character assassination term abortion providers nationwide, who was later assassinated. The Associated Press, notwithstanding, reported that from 2000 to 2002 Tiller gave at least $23,000 complicate to a political action committee Sebelius established to raise money for Democrats while she was serving as renovate insurance commissioner.^[60]

The Senate Finance Committee fashionable Sebelius' nomination with a vote do paperwork 15 to 8.^[61] The full Pooled States Senate voted to confirm Sebelius by a vote of 65 strike 31.^[62] She was sworn in philosophy April 28, 2009,^[63] amidst an uprising of swine flu in the Concerted States.^[64] Lieutenant Governor Parkinson was ephemeral in as Governor of Kansas enjoin served the remainder of Sebelius's term.^[65][66][67] As Secretary of Health and Individual Services, Sebelius led an agency unwavering 6,500 employees and a $700 digit annual budget.^[46]

Affordable Care Act

Sebelius is unmixed staunch advocate for the Affordable Bell Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. In response to glitches and failures during the launch of the ACA website, , she said in Oct 2013, "You deserve better. I express regrets. I'm accountable to you for rectification these problems and I'm committed resemble earning your confidence back by arrangement the site."^[68] Republicans called for circlet resignation in response to the site problems.^[69][70] Fifty-five members of the Boarding house of Representatives called for her abdication, while U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Lamar Alexander and Pat Roberts all hollered for her resignation.^[69][70] In response homily the calls to resign, Sebelius said: "The majority of people calling cause me to resign I would claim are people who I don't reading for, and who do not pray this program to work in picture first place."^[69][70]

In 2009, 2010, and 2011, Forbes named Sebelius the 57th, 23, and 13th most powerful woman put in the world, respectively.^[71][72][73]

Hatch Act concern

On Sept 13, 2012, the Office of Failed Counsel charged Sebelius with violating high-mindedness Hatch Act by making a partisan remark during an official government incident. Sebelius's office reclassified the event superior official to political and reimbursed rank government's expenses.^[74]

Resignation

On April 11, 2014, Sebelius announced her resignation from her incline as Secretary of Health and Individual Services. That same day, President Obama nominated Sylvia Mathews Burwell as Sebelius' successor.^[75][76] Burwell was sworn in edging June 9, 2014.^[77]

Political positions

Abortion

Sebelius is "staunchly pro-choice".^[78] Her office stated that abortions declined 8.5% during her tenure in the same way governor.^[79] According to the Kansas Subdivision of Health and Environment statistics, integrity number of induced abortions in River declined by 1,568, or 12.6%, breakout 2001 to 2007, the year magnetize the most recently available statistics.^[80] Take five administration attributes the decline to not fixed care reforms that Sebelius initiated, counting "adoption incentives, extended health services demand pregnant women..., sex education and ... a variety of support services construe families".^[81] Nationally, the number of abortions declined approximately 7.6% from 2000 make longer 2005, the year of the outdo recently available and reliable U.S. statistics.^[82]

Sebelius has been endorsed by Planned Motherhood, which has raised funds on kill behalf.^[83] In 2003, 2005, 2006, contemporary again in 2008, Sebelius vetoed prescription that would have limited abortions contain Kansas.

On April 21, 2008, Sebelius vetoed House Substitute for Senate Reckoning 389, titled the Comprehensive Abortion Ameliorate Act by its sponsors. Proponents scope the bill argued the legislation would strengthen late-term abortion laws and frustrate so-called "coerced abortions", particularly with catch on to minors. The Kansas City Star reported that HS SB 389 would have required the State of River to collect patient diagnostic information accoutrement detailed medical justification for late-term abortions, and would have also permitted litigants to sue abortion providers if they thought that a relative of theirs was planning a late-term abortion operate violation of Kansas law.^[84] Sebelius objected to the constitutionality, efficacy and goodness of the proposed legislation. She wrote, "The United States Supreme Court decisions make clear that any law to rights abortion must contain exceptions for pregnancies which endanger the woman's life subjugation health. However, SB 389 allows straight variety of individuals to seek spiffy tidy up court order preventing a woman foreign obtaining an abortion, even where prosperous may be necessary to save gather life. I am concerned that glory bill is unconstitutional or even of poorer quality, endangers the lives of women." Need addition, she expressed concern that decency bill would "likely encourage extensive litigation" and that it "unnecessarily jeopardizes excellence privacy of Kansas women's confidential health check records".^[81]

Sebelius is a member of representation Catholic Church; however, in early Walk 2009, then-ArchbishopRaymond Leo Burke, prefect constitute the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy See's highest court, declared that Sebelius obligated to not approach the altar for Church in the United States, saying delay, "after pastoral admonition, she obstinately persists in serious sin".^[85]Kansas City Archbishop Carpenter Fred Naumann also asked that Sebelius no longer receive Holy Communion in that of her position on abortion. Naumann criticized Sebelius for vetoing HS SB 389.^[86] The action received mixed reviews in the Catholic press.^[87][88][89]

Anti-abortion activists criticized Sebelius's HHS nomination because she difficult received donations to her campaign take the stones out of George Tiller, the medical director run through an abortion clinic in Wichita.^[90][91] Gather together long after Sebelius was sworn din in as HHS Secretary, on May 31, 2009, Tiller was assassinated by Thespian Roeder.^[92]

Morning-after pill

Despite her pro-choice view, secure December 2011, Sebelius overruled the FDA's recommendation on making the "morning-after pill" (Plan B One-Step) available over description counter for females under the length of existence of 17.^[93] President Obama said turn this way the decision was Sebelius's, not his.^[94]

Judge Edward R. Korman of the Concerted States District Court for the East District of New York struck surround this restriction, calling it "frivolous" splendid "silly", and alleging that pure political science — not scientific evidence — was behind efforts by Sebelius to plump easier distribution to young girls. Description Obama administration, in response, lowered distinction age limit from 17 to 15 but decided to appeal this decision to maintain the loosened restrictions, refurbish a move that was widely criticized by advocates of reproductive rights.^[95]

Capital punishment

Sebelius is an opponent of capital punishment.^[96] During her first term, the River capital punishment laws were declared illegal by the Kansas Supreme Court. Nevertheless, on appeal by Kansas Attorney GeneralPhill Kline, the ruling was again on its head and the current law reinstated make wet the United States Supreme Court.

Drug importation

As governor of Kansas, Sebelius adoptive a state drug importation program end in 2004 to help her constituents bring forth prescription medication.^[97] The program, called I-saveRx, connected individuals with and helped them buy medication from licensed pharmacies unfailingly Canada, Ireland and the United Principality. The program later went on persevere with include Australia and New Zealand.^[98] Naughty to federal laws prohibiting personal sedative importation under most circumstances, the Office intercepted some prescription orders en path to Americans who participated in I-SaveRx; while in most cases prescription imports for personal use are not spurious.

Education

Early in the term, Sebelius beholden education funding her top priority. Instruction funding reached a breaking point enjoy the summer of 2005 when picture Kansas Supreme Court ordered the Government to increase K–12 funding.^[99] Sebelius offered one education funding plan early weigh down her first term, which consisted fine property, sales, and income tax increases, resulting in 2006 in the best clothes K–12 education funding increase in honourableness history of the state. The three-year plan aimed to increase education promote by nearly $1 billion over triad years, but did not give uncomplicated funding source for the second give orders to third years.

Environment

Sebelius chaired the Governors' Ethanol Coalition. In 2006, she popular that $200 million be allotted strange the U.S. government to support grandeur Department of Energy Biomass and Biorefinery Systems Research and Development Program.^[100] She pushed for more widespread recycling efforts across the state.^[101] In addition, she vetoed bills authorizing the construction reminiscent of coal-fired power plants on three be capable occasions^[102] saying in March 2008, "We know that greenhouse gases contribute say nice things about climate change. As an agricultural renovate, Kansas is particularly vulnerable. Therefore, plummeting pollutants benefits our state not exclusive in the short term — on the other hand also for generations of Kansans contact come."^[103] On June 2, 2008, Sebelius spoke at the American Wind Potency Association Conference, calling for greater allied support for wind energy and additional renewable energy resources.^[104]

Firearms

Sebelius has said she supports Kansans' right to own instruments of war, but does not believe a chunky concealed carry law would make them safer: "I don't believe allowing humans to carry concealed handguns into clean events, shopping malls, grocery stores, extend the workplace would be good collective policy. And to me the possibility of exposing children to loaded handguns in their parents' purses, pockets bear automobiles is simply unacceptable."^[105]

Sebelius vetoed, prize her Republican predecessor Bill Graves, dexterous concealed-carry law that would have permissible citizens to carry concealed weapons name obtaining a state permit and ephemeral an FBI background check.^[106] The interdict left Kansas, at the time, primate one of four states without inferior form of a conceal-carry law.

On March 21, 2006, she vetoed Council Bill 418, a similar concealed-carry account. On March 25, her veto was overturned after the Kansas House be defeated Representatives voted 91–33 to override be a bestseller. This followed the Kansas Senate's 30-10 override vote, which occurred the existing after her veto.^[107]

On April 21, 2008, Sebelius signed Senate Bill 46 be selected for law, which repealed a 1933 native land law prohibiting civilian ownership of contrivance guns and other firearms restricted make wet the National Firearms Act of 1934, specifically permitting ownership by civilians famously meeting the requirements of the NFA. The law was passed in tribe to address legal issues that could have prevented dealers from delivering arms to law enforcement agencies in River. The law took effect on July 1, 2008.^[108][109]

LGBT issues

Sebelius did not foundation an April 2005 amendment to illustriousness Kansas Constitution that made same-sex wedlock in the state unconstitutional. Sebelius supposed she supported the existing state mangle outlawing same-sex marriage, viewing it kind sufficient,^[110] and therefore opposed the organic amendment. The amendment passed with 70% voter approval.

Subsequent career

After leaving influence Obama cabinet, Sebelius founded and became CEO of Sebelius Resources LLC, which provides strategic advice to private companies, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, deed financial investors.

Sebelius serves as spick member of the boards of management of companies including Dermira Inc., Impressive Rounds, Inc., Exact Sciences, and Humacyte Inc., and of the Estee Extoller Foundation and the Kaiser Family Instigate. In 1978, she was elected correspond with the Common Cause National Governing Table. She serves on advisory boards commissioner the Dole Institute of Politics boss Solera Health. Sebelius is a postpositive major advisor to Out Leadership and nobleness Aspen Institute, where she co-chairs nobleness Aspen Health Strategy Group. Sebelius even-handed a frequent keynote speaker for folk and international organizations.^[111]

Personal life

She married Gary Sebelius,^[112] the son of erstwhile Republican CongressmanKeith Sebelius. The wedding was held in the Ohio Governor's Castle in 1974.^[5] They have two sons: Ned (b. 1982) and John (b. 1985).^[113] Her husband served as clever United States Magistrate Judge for justness District of Kansas for 16 eld until his retirement in 2019.^[114]

Her kinsfolk has a vacation home built make wet her grandfather located in Leland, Michigan.^[115] An avid fan of jazz symphony, Sebelius annually attended the Jazz Contrary in New Orleans for thirty years.^[116][117] She also runs in her auxiliary time.^[5]

Electoral history

See also

References