WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama added two key leaders to his push for healthcare reform on Tuesday, with support from across party lines. He nominated Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services and Nancy-Ann DeParle to be his point person on healthcare in the White House.

The announcement comes as the president prepares to hold a bipartisan healthcare reform summit this week to push movement on Capitol Hill.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who will hold a pivotal roll in moving healthcare reform legislation, called the president's pick "good news."

"Governor Sebelius is a strong choice for Health and Human Services secretary. I'm particularly pleased to hear of her selection because she brings such solid experience to the position," he said. "Passing comprehensive healthcare reform is an absolute imperative this year, and as a former insurance commissioner Governor Sebelius really gets what needs to be done. Added to that, she's accustomed to working together with Democrats and Republicans to get things accomplished. Healthcare reform is my number one priority this year, and I'm ready to work with a strong partner like Governor Sebelius to make it happen."

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, congratulated Sebelius on her nomination and said he looked forward to speaking with her about her vision for HHS and the administration’s intentions for healthcare reform this year. 

"We need bipartisan, fiscally responsible action this year to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare," Enzi said. "The president has pledged to work on healthcare reform in a bipartisan way. There are going to be areas where we disagree, but I hope and expect that by focusing on solutions, we can produce meaningful results for hard-working Americans."

Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said Sebelius is the right person to move the president’s healthcare agenda forward. "She is a proven leader with extensive knowledge of healthcare issues and a long history of working effectively across the political aisle," she said.