KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

With the omicron surge fading, the Biden administration is looking to the next phase of the pandemic. Americans appear eager to get there.

The new administration promised competency and efficiency, but it has struggled all year with consistent pandemic messaging.

Fox News host Sean Hannity urged viewers Monday night to “take COVID seriously,” saying he believes in the “science of vaccinations.” It appears that his fellow primetime hosts weren’t moved.

GettyWhat could have been an inspiring lesson in Catholic faith but has become just another tale of hypocrisy began on Dec. 17, 1948, after a porter slashed the throat of assistant manager Fred Naumann at 905 Liquor Store in St. Louis, Missouri.“He had told me to help unload a liquor truck,” the porter, V.O. Willams, said in a written confession following his arrest. “I refused because I was mopping the floor. He told me two or three times to go out, but I said I would go out after I dried the f

The Affordable Care Act is now secure in the framework of the nation’s health care programs, and Democrats are eager to leap above and beyond.

A lawyer, not a doctor, his main experience with the health care system came through helping to pass the Obama-era Affordable Care Act and defending it when Donald Trump was president. AdBecerra also will also be the point man on Biden's health care agenda, which includes insurance for all Americans, deputizing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and tackling persistent racial and ethnic disparities in the health care system. Prescription drugs and health insurance will lead to major legislative battles. “It’s a different time and it’s a time of tremendous opportunity in health care,” he said. But during committee hearings several indicated a willingness to work with on prescription drugs, rural health care and other matters.

The measured approach is drawing praise in some corners for being realistic -— but criticism from others for its caution. “I found it fascinating that yesterday the press asked the question, ‘Is 100 million enough?'" You can’t do 100 million in 100 days.’ Well, we’re — God willing — not only going to 100 million. Trump provided an overreach of his own in May 2020, when he said the nation had “prevailed” over the virus. Trump’s lax approach and lack of credibility contributed to poor adherence to public safety rules among the American public.

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden's choices for his health care team point to a stronger federal role in the nation’s COVID-19 strategy, restoration of a guiding stress on science and an emphasis on equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. “We are still going to have a federal, state and local partnership,” commented Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the nonprofit American Public Health Association. “These are not turf-conscious people,” said Drew Altman, CEO of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a clearinghouse for health care information and analysis. A Secretary Becerra “can't get up every morning and think only COVID,” she said. That challenge faces widespread skepticism among minorities that the health care system has their best interests in mind.

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden's choices for his health care team point to a stronger federal role in the nation’s COVID-19 strategy, restoration of a guiding stress on science and an emphasis on equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. “We are still going to have a federal, state and local partnership,” commented Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the nonprofit American Public Health Association. “These are not turf-conscious people,” said Drew Altman, CEO of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a clearinghouse for health care information and analysis. A Secretary Becerra “can't get up every morning and think only COVID,” she said. That challenge faces widespread skepticism among minorities that the health care system has their best interests in mind.

WASHINGTON – Joe Biden faces a decision unlike any other incoming president: whether to back a short-term national lockdown to finally arrest a raging pandemic. But the debate has been livelier among members of the coronavirus advisory board Biden announced this week. One member, Dr. Michael Osterholm, suggested a four- to six-week lockdown with financial aid for Americans whose livelihoods would be affected. That's a sign of the tough dynamic Biden will face when he is inaugurated in January. But Biden himself fueled some of the confusion about his stance on lockdowns during the campaign.

And just like the Trump administration, Biden is expected to aggressively wield the rule-making powers of the executive branch to address health insurance coverage and prescription drug costs. With COVID-19 surging across the country, Biden's top health care priority is whipping the federal government’s response into shape. “We’re going to work quickly with the Congress to dramatically ramp up health care protections, get Americans universal coverage, lower health care costs, as soon as humanly possible,” the president-elect said earlier this week. A factor that may work in Biden's favor is that many Republicans want to change the subject on health care. Coronavirus relief legislation could provide an early vehicle for some broader health care changes.

George W. Bush's Chief of Staff Andy Card told CNBC that "it's concerning" that the Trump administration has refused to cooperate with President-elect Biden's transition team, as the nation faces the worst public health crisis in a century. Card helped guide Bush's campaign through the 2000 recount, which held back the transition from President Bill Clinton to Bush for 37 days. In a Wednesday evening interview on "The News with Shepard Smith," Card put the transition time into perspective when it comes to a national crisis. "The 9/11 Commission had said if there had been a longer transition and there had been cooperation, there might have been a better response, or maybe not even any attack," the former chief of staff said. "I think it's hyperbole beyond expectation, not credibility, to say that somebody stole the election, they didn't," said Card.

A related Trump administration price disclosure requirement applying to hospitals is facing a federal lawsuit from the industry, alleging coercion and interference with business practices. The idea behind the new regulations on insurers is to empower patients to become better consumers of health care, thereby helping to drive down costs. “The final rule will work to reduce competition and push health care prices higher — not lower — for American families, patients, and taxpayers,” Matt Eyles, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement. "This is precisely the opposite of what Americans want in their health care." If the Trump rules withstand legal review, it’s unclear to what degree patients and their families will become a force reshaping the market.

But if the event were held in the West Wing or in another area of the White House that is regarded as a federal room, White House officials would be prohibited from attending even while off-duty. The officials said the events on the White House grounds were consistent with previous presidents using the White House residence for political videos. Any government employees who may participate will do so in compliance with the Hatch Act, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. "Political parties come and go, but it doesnt belong to one political party or the other.The Trump administration is hardly the first to mix business with politics. The Trump administration has repeatedly stepped over the line, ethics experts said.

President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Washington. And it suggests that the president is increasingly out of step with the federal governments own medical and public health experts. Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, warned this week that the virus has become extraordinarily widespread." What were seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House.Until recently, the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope. Birx, until recently, had largely stayed on the presidents good side, though her rosy depictions of the pandemic fight drew recent skepticism from Democrats and other public health officials.

President Donald Trump, speaks before a ceremony for Vice President Mike Pence to swear in Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., as Chief of Staff of the Air Force in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Washington. And it suggests that the president is increasingly out of step with the federal governments own medical and public health experts. Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, warned this week that the virus has become extraordinarily widespread." What were seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House.Until recently, the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope.

FILE - In this March 20, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump listens as White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington. Birx will bring to the discussion what she fondly refers to as her sheet music — data on testing, mortality, demographics and much more. “What the president has asked us to do is to assemble all the data and give him our best medical recommendation based on all the data,” Birx told reporters. As the president’s message has vacillated, Birx has emerged as one of the most important voices laying out the administration’s pandemic response. “He’s been so attentive to the scientific literature and the details and the data,” Birx told CBN.

Ex-HHS chief: I'm troubled by Marlboro maker owning so much of...E-cigarette makers are "using exactly the same techniques that tobacco companies used in the early days to market to kids, to be cool to kids," says Kathleen Sebelius. Health and Scienceread more

Kathleen Sebelius, former Health and Human Services secretary, told CNBC on Wednesday that she's concerned about Marlboro-maker Altria having a large stake in e-cigarette leader Juul. Since launching in 2015, Juul has come to dominate the e-cigarette industry with roughly 40% of the market. However, along the way, Juul's e-cigarettes, particularly its flavored nicotine products, became popular among young people, fueling what government regulators are calling a teen vaping epidemic. E-cigarette makers are "using exactly the same techniques that tobacco companies used in the early days to market to kids, to be cool to kids," Sebelius added. Earlier this month, federal health officials accused Juul of illegally advertising its nicotine pods as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes.

Julin Castro, Obamas Housing secretary who is now running for president, was one of two Cabinet secretaries cited in the Obama years. He fielded a journalists questions about the 2016 presidential race and his own chances of being named as Clintons running mate during an interview in which he was acting in his official capacity. Also during the Obama administration, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was cited while Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was investigated before she resigned to become an L.A. County supervisor.

How will Kathleen Sebelius' resignation impact 2014, Obamacare? Frank Rich, Peter Baker, Michael Gerson, and Leigh Gallagher discuss the resignation of the health and human services secretary and how it will affect the 2014 midterm elections and the future of Obamacare.

Elijah Cummings: Kathleen Sebelius met Obamacare goals Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., discusses the record of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the future of Obamacare, and equal pay legislation.

Marsha Blackburn: Democrats' "war on women" rhetoric is "silly" Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., discusses equal pay legislation, Obamacare, and the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius successor faces Obamacare challenges Sylvia Mathews Burwell has been nominated to oversee the President’s health care law now that Kathleen Sebelius has resigned as Health and Human Services Secretary after the rocky rollout of the Obamacare website. Mark Albert reports.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius missing a page from her speech Some people just can't catch a break -- speaking after President Obama announced her resignation, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ran into a slight problem.

Obama: Kathleen Sebelius deserves credit for Obamacare success President Obama praises the legacy of outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, saying health insurance has expanded and cost growth has slowed under her watch.

White House readies to announce Sebelius replacement The Obama administration has officially announced that Kathleen Sebelius has resigned as head of Health and Human Services today. The White House is expected to nominate White House Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell as her replacement. Charlie Rose reports.

Paid Obamacare enrollees as high as 90 percent, Sebelius says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a local Oklahoma CBS affiliate that 80 to 90 percent of Obamacare enrollees have paid.

Sebelius speechless after anchor probes on Obamacare "tough sell" Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius didn’t have much to say in an interview with a local Oklahoma CBS affiliate when presented with the health care law’s unpopularity.