Sebelius to stay on as HHS secretary

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will stay in her post, a White House official said Wednesday.

Several of President Obama's top Cabinet officials have either stepped down or announced their plans to do so relatively soon, as is common at the beginning of a president's second term.

But the White House official said Sebelius — along with Attorney General Eric Holder and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki — will be sticking around.

Sebelius's decision isn't surprising. She was expected to stay on at least through next year, when the biggest components of the Affordable Care Act are set to take effect.

It could be difficult for a new secretary to win Senate confirmation, given the rough road Senate Republicans have laid out for healthcare nominees since President Obama's signature reform was signed into law.

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