Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) has emerged as "the leading contender" for HHS secretary, with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) also under consideration, according to Obama administration officials, The Politico reports (Allen, The Politico, 2/8). According to the AP/Baltimore Sun, Sebelius has had a "long and close working relationship" with Obama, and she "worked tirelessly for Obama's bid and was a top surrogate to women's groups" (AP/Baltimore Sun, 2/9). In addition, advocacy groups believe that her former role as Kansas insurance commissioner benefits her candidacy for the position.

Bredesen also remains under consideration for the position, although some advocacy groups have raised concerns about his former role as an executive with a managed care company, as well as his continued financial ties to the health insurance industry. In addition, advocacy groups "haven't forgotten" his decision to eliminate about 170,000 adults from the Tennessee Medicaid program, The Politico reports (The Politico, 2/8)…