Kathleen Sebelius
Full Name and Common Aliases
Kathleen Sebelius is commonly known as Kathy Sebelius.
Birth and Death Dates
Kathleen Sebelius was born on May 15, 1948.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Sebelius holds American nationality and has been a public servant, nurse, and politician throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kathleen Sebelius grew up with a strong sense of public service. Her father was an engineer, and her family often volunteered at local organizations, instilling in her the importance of community involvement. After completing high school, she attended Georgetown University before transferring to Trinity Washington University, where she earned a degree in English.
Education
Sebelius later pursued advanced education, earning a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and a Master's in Public Health from George Washington University.
Major Accomplishments
Kathleen Sebelius has had an illustrious career marked by several significant accomplishments:
As Governor of Kansas (2003-2009), she focused on expanding healthcare access and improving education outcomes.
She was a key figure in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama's administration (2009-2014).
Sebelius played a pivotal role in shaping national healthcare policy, including the passage of the ACA.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions undertaken by Kathleen Sebelius include:
As Governor, she championed initiatives to increase access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families.
During her tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services, she worked closely with Congress to ensure the passage of critical legislation related to healthcare reform.
Sebelius was a strong advocate for women's health issues, including reproductive rights and cancer prevention.
Impact and Legacy
Kathleen Sebelius has left an indelible mark on American healthcare policy. Her tireless efforts to expand access to healthcare have improved the lives of countless individuals and families across the country. As one of the leading figures in shaping the ACA, she played a pivotal role in ensuring that millions of Americans gained access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kathleen Sebelius is widely quoted and remembered for her unwavering commitment to public service and her groundbreaking work in expanding access to healthcare. Her dedication to improving the lives of others has earned her a reputation as a champion of social justice and a leader in the field of healthcare policy.
Additional Information
Throughout her career, Kathleen Sebelius has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to public service, including:
She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 for her work on healthcare reform.
The American Cancer Society named her a "Champion for Life" for her advocacy efforts on cancer prevention.
Sebelius continues to be an influential voice in the world of healthcare policy and public service.
Quotes by Kathleen Sebelius
A lot of the discussion about rolling back the Affordable Care Act is about dismantling the marketplaces where individuals are shopping for their own coverage when they don't get it in their workplace.
The lower income individuals, under any Republican proposal, at least that I have seen, are real losers in the framework because there is not enough subsidy, not enough assistance, for them to realistically participate in the market. Particularly if you halt or rollback the Medicaid expansion, which is for the lowest income workers.
The premium tax credit that is in the Obama plan is exactly that - it is a tax credit, and it isn't cash. It is a discount on the amount that you pay for an individual policy based on your family size and your income.
The Democratic plan in the 'Affordable Care Act' has, I would say, more government support, more government regulation around trying to protect the finances of individuals, trying to protect people who had pre-existing conditions, making sure that they could actually be in an insurance market and not set off to the side.
I'm a former insurance regulator. What companies really want and need is some clarity about what the rules are.
Republican House members, including Tom Price, when he was still in the Republican House, sued HHS, suggesting that payment to insurance companies for cost-sharing exceeded the authority of HHS. That case was basically withdrawn when President Trump was elected, in hopes that the Affordable Care Act would be repealed - but we're back to the law.
The secretary actually already has a good deal of authority within the confines of the Affordable Care Act. Step one really is a question of whether or not HHS will continue to reimburse insurance companies for cost-sharing expenses.
The way the law is written, people who are under 250 percent of poverty, who have a marketplace plan, also are eligible to have some of their deductible and co-pay expenses paid through cost-sharing. Insurance companies basically front the money and are reimbursed by the federal government, by HHS.
There are people in this country who have waited for decades for affordable health coverage for themselves and their families.
Insurance companies can no longer refuse to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions.