Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has been selected by President-elect Barack Obama to be the next secretary of Health and Human Services, replacing current secretary Michael Leavitt.

Obama’s campaign platform included various healthcare reforms. With Daschle having served for 10 years as the Democratic leader in the Senate, selecting such an experienced political player has led Washington watchers to speculate this is a move toward aggressive, rather than gradual, healthcare changes.

Daschle, whose HHS appointment is pending Senate approval, published earlier this year “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis,” which examined hows and whys of U.S. national healthcare coverage.

Where the HME industry is concerned a recent statement from the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers states that the industry “should fare well” with Daschle at the helm of HHS.

“Senator Daschle understands the homecare industry and was a supporter in the Senate,” said NAIMES President Wayne Stanfield. “He is familiar with most DME issues.”

As for CMS, historically a new administration will bring new leadership to the body, but no replacement for Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems has been named.