White House Staffing, Department Of Health And Human Services | featured news

President Barack Obama's push to revamp the costly and inefficient U.S. healthcare system was facing delay even before Tom Daschle, who was chosen to head the initiative, withdrew his nomination as health secretary.

Health Secretary-designate Tom Daschle apologized in a letter released on Monday for errors that prompted him to pay $140,000 in back taxes, saying he was "deeply embarrassed" and would answer any questions a Senate panel had about them.

The White House tried to explain how Tom Daschle’s failure to pay $128,000 in taxes had been overlooked.

Obama's choice to lead Health and Human Services is the second Cabinet pick to run into tax problems, jeopardizing his confirmation.