WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tom Daschle says he's learned lessons from Bill Clinton's failed attempt at health care reform -- lessons that he'd take with him into the office of Health and Human Services Secretary.

Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, told former Senate colleagues today that they'll be partners in whatever plans are developed to improve the system.

The Clinton health reform effort was criticized as too long, too secretive and hard to understand.

Daschle says those criticisms show the need to carry out reform in a way that's "aggressive, open and responsive to Americans' concerns."

The hearing was the first to feature one of Barack Obama's Cabinet nominees. Most analysts believe Daschle will have little problem winning confirmation.