SALEM, Ore. -- Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he would seriously consider serving in a top Obama administration job, if asked.

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. (File photo)

Kitzhaber has been mentioned as a possible secretary for either of two departments: Health and Human Services or Interior.

Beyond Oregon's borders, Kitzhaber is best known as father of the Oregon Health Plan, the landmark effort extended health coverage to thousands of low-income people by limiting the medical services the state pays for.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Kitzhaber said he has not had contact with Obama's transition team. But he says he'd be open to taking either job if an offer was made.

"The election of Obama gives this country a remarkable sense of promise and opportunity," Kitzhaber said. "Obviously, I think all of us need to be prepared to seriously consider serving this administration, if asked."

Kitzhaber was an emergency room doctor before he became a state legislator and served two terms as governor. Since he left office, he's campaigned for health care reform.

Known for his love of the outdoors, Kitzhaber as governor won approval of the Oregon salmon plan, which brought landowners and environmentalists together to make streams more habitable for salmon. He also took a controversial stand in favor of breaching several Northwest dams to help restore salmon populations.

Kitzhaber said Thursday that he's open to either Cabinet job, but the Health and Human Services post would dovetail with the health care reform efforts he's involved with.

Since January 2003 Kitzhaber has been president of the Estes Park Institute, a Colorado-based education organization for community hospital and health care leaders.

In January 2006, Kitzhaber launched the Archimedes Movement, an organization that advocates a total overhaul of a health care system that's plagued with soaring costs and leaves millions of Americans without coverage.

"I do think it is possible to design a health care system that reduces costs and improves the health of our population -- but it wouldn't look anything like the system we have today," he said.

Kitzhaber said he would be open to taking some other position that would allow him to push for health care reform.

"It strikes me that, in a way, I might be more effective in some limited duration appointment, with the task of helping to put together the framework of a new health care system," he said.

At the same time, Kitzhaber said, "This is all largely speculation at the moment."

"The only appointment list that really matters is the one the transition team is using," he said. "Obviously, if they offered me something, I would seriously consider it."