The Association of Schools of Public Health strongly supports the appointment of Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Dean Linda Rosenstock (UCLA), chair of the ASPH Board, said, "This appointment reaffirms President-elect Obama’s commitment to make health care reform a top priority. Senator Daschle is an experienced leader with a keen awareness needed for meaningful health care reform, not only to address access to quality and affordable care, but also to incorporate effective disease prevention and health promotion measures if we are to achieve improved health for all Americans."