Tom Daschle
© AFP/File Paul J. Richards WASHINGTON (AFP) - Once Obama takes office in January, Daschle will be tasked with implementing one of Obama's top campaign promises to overhaul the health system in a country where 45 million people have no health insurance.
The appointment was confirmed by the Democratic official on condition of anonymity. No official announcement on Daschle's appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary has yet been made by Obama's transition team.
The post requires Senate confirmation.
Daschle, 60, will be tasked with the perilous task of shepherding healthcare reform through Congress.
The last major bid for massive healthcare reform by a Democratic president, piloted by former first lady Hillary Clinton during her husband Bill Clinton's administration, ended in a notorious failure.
Daschle served as Senate Majority leader between 2001 and 2003 but lost his South Dakota seat in the 2004 election to the Republicans.
©AFP