It's with great disappointment that we received news this morning that an "unnamed Republican Senator" put a hold on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' confirmation as Health and Human Services Secretary. At a time when the U.S. economy is collapsing under the elephantine costs of our broken health care system, how is it that one anonymous Senator can obstruct filling the leadership post of our nation's top health agency?

As some Republican Senators continue pressing the politics of "no", reports are trickling out from the HHS and OMB with ominous warnings:

From KaiserNetwork.org: "U.S. health care spending has doubled from 1996 to 2006, reaching $2.2 trillion in 2007, or $7,421 per capita -- accounting for more than 16% of the gross domestic product, nearly double the average of other developed countries. According to the report, unless there is massive change, health care costs are expected to rise to 25% of GDP in 2025, and reach 49% by 2082."

The report also notes, "Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have more than doubled in the last nine years," adding, "As a result of these crushing health care costs, American businesses are losing their ability to compete in the global marketplace."

And Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said recently, "The single most important thing we can do to put the nation on a sounder long-term fiscal footing is to reduce the rate of growth of health care costs."

Now, thanks to one anonymous Republican, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is forced to wait in the wings, watching the crisis deepen. During her initial confirmation hearing this week, Gov. Sebelius made it clear that once appointed to her post, she'd swing into action. "We face a health system that burdens families, businesses and government budgets with sky-rocketing costs," she said. "Action is not a choice. It's a necessity. ... Should I be confirmed, health reform will be my mission."

So, let us repeat Gov. Sebelius' words, but this time, let's direct our fury at one anonymous Republican Senator who, without explanation, has delayed filling this critical post in our government: "Action is not a choice. It's a necessity." Move forward with the confirmation process of Gov. Sebelius as HHS Secretary. Our families, our communities and our nation cannot afford to wait.

Sign our petition to Congress demanding action on Gov. Sebelius' confirmation: http://action.seiu.org/page/s/confirmsebelius