U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

26–535 PDF WASHINGTON : 2019

S. HRG. 115–390 

NOMINATION HEARING 

HEARING 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, 

LABOR, AND PENSIONS 

UNITED STATES SENATE 

ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

ON

NOMINATIONS OF LANCE ROBERTSON, BRETT GIROIR, M.D., ROBERT 

KADLEC, M.D., ELINORE F. MCCANCE-KATZ, M.D. AND JEROME ADAMS, 

M.D. 

AUGUST 1, 2017 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

( 

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov 

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COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS 

LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee, Chairman 

MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming 

RICHARD BURR, North Carolina 

JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia 

RAND PAUL, Kentucky 

SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine 

BILL CASSIDY, M.D., Louisiana 

TODD YOUNG, Indiana 

ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah 

PAT ROBERTS, Kansas 

LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska 

TIM SCOTT, South Carolina 

PATTY MURRAY, Washington 

BERNARD SANDERS (I), Vermont 

ROBERT P. CASEY, JR., Pennsylvania 

AL FRANKEN, Minnesota 

MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado 

SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode Island 

TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin 

CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY, Connecticut 

ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts 

TIM KAINE, Virginia 

MARGARET WOOD HASSAN, 

New Hampshire 

DAVID P. CLEARY, Republican Staff Director 

LINDSEY WARD SEIDMAN, Republican Deputy Staff Director 

EVAN SCHATZ, Minority Staff Director 

JOHN RIGHTER, Minority Deputy Staff Director 

(II) 

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C O N T E N T S 

STATEMENTS 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 

Page 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Alexander, Hon. Lamar, Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 

and Pensions, opening statement ....................................................................... 1 

Murray, Hon. Patty, a U.S. Senator from the State of Washington, opening 

statement .............................................................................................................. 5 

Young, Hon. Todd, a U.S. Senator from the State of Indiana ............................. 7 

Whitehouse, Hon. Sheldon, a U.S. Senator from the State of Rhode Island ...... 7 

Cassidy, Hon. Bill, a U.S. Senator from the State of Louisiana .......................... 23 

Collins, Hon. Susan M., a U.S. Senator from the State of Maine ....................... 27 

Murphy, Hon. Christopher, a U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut ........ 28 

Warren, Hon. Elizabeth, a U.S. Senator from the State of Massachusetts ........ 32 

Hassan, Hon. Margaret Wood, a U.S. Senator from the State of New Hampshire ....................................................................................................................... 34

Casey, Hon. Robert P., Jr., a U.S. Senator from the State of Pennsylvania ...... 37 

Baldwin, Hon. Tammy, a U.S. Senator from the State of Wisconsin .................. 39 

WITNESSES

Robertson, Lance, Nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Aging, Edmond, 

OK ......................................................................................................................... 8 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 10 

Giroir, Brett, M.D., Nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Health, College 

Station, TX ............................................................................................................ 11 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 13 

Kadlec, Robert, M.D., Nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 

and Response, Alexandria, VA ............................................................................ 14 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 15 

McCance-Katz, Elinore F., M.D., Nominated to be Assistant Secretary for 

Mental Health and Substance Use, Cranston, RI ............................................. 17 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 18 

Adams, Jerome, M.D., Nominated to be Surgeon General of the Public Health 

Service, Fisher, IN ............................................................................................... 19 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 21 

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

Statements, articles, publications, letters, etc. 

Burr, Hon. Richard, a U.S. Senator from the State of North Carolina, 

prepared statement ....................................................................................... 50 

Letters of support for: 

Lance Robertson ........................................................................................ 52 

Brett Giroir, M.D. ...................................................................................... 110 

Robert P. Kadlec, M.D. ............................................................................. 124 

Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D. .................................................................... 128 

Jerome Adams, M.D. ................................................................................. 163 

(III) 

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(IV) 

Response by Lance Robertson to questions of: 

Senator Murray ......................................................................................... 177 

Senator Sanders ........................................................................................ 179 

Senator Casey ............................................................................................ 180 

Senator Franken ........................................................................................ 182 

Senator Bennet .......................................................................................... 183 

Senator Whitehouse .................................................................................. 183 

Senator Baldwin ........................................................................................ 184 

Senator Murphy ........................................................................................ 184 

Senator Warren ......................................................................................... 185 

Senator Hassan ......................................................................................... 188 

Response by Brett Giroir, M.D. to questions of: 

Senator Murray ......................................................................................... 189 

Senator Sanders ........................................................................................ 190 

Senator Franken ........................................................................................ 191 

Senator Bennet .......................................................................................... 191 

Senator Whitehouse .................................................................................. 192 

Senator Baldwin ........................................................................................ 192 

Senator Warren ......................................................................................... 193 

Response by Robert Kadlec, M.D. to questions of: 

Senator Murray ......................................................................................... 197 

Senator Sanders ........................................................................................ 200 

Senator Casey ............................................................................................ 200 

Senator Franken ........................................................................................ 201 

Senator Whitehouse .................................................................................. 202 

Senator Baldwin ........................................................................................ 204 

Senator Murphy ........................................................................................ 205 

Senator Warren ......................................................................................... 205 

Response by Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D. to questions of: 

Senator Murray ......................................................................................... 211 

Senator Sanders ........................................................................................ 212 

Senator Casey ............................................................................................ 212 

Senator Franken ........................................................................................ 214 

Senator Bennet .......................................................................................... 214 

Senator Whitehouse .................................................................................. 215 

Senator Baldwin ........................................................................................ 217 

Senator Murphy ........................................................................................ 217 

Senator Warren ......................................................................................... 220 

Response by Jerome Adams, M.D. to questions of: 

Senator Murray ......................................................................................... 223 

Senator Sanders ........................................................................................ 226 

Senator Casey ............................................................................................ 227 

Senator Franken ........................................................................................ 227 

Senator Bennet .......................................................................................... 227 

Senator Whitehouse .................................................................................. 228 

Senator Warren ......................................................................................... 229 

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(1) 

NOMINATION HEARING 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 

U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS, Washington, DC. 

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m., in room 

SD–430, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Lamar Alexander, 

chairman of the committee, presiding. 

Present: Senators Alexander, Murray, Collins, Cassidy, Young, 

Casey, Bennet, Whitehouse, Baldwin, Murphy, Warren, Kaine, and 

Hassan. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR ALEXANDER

The CHAIRMAN. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions will please come to order. 

Before we get down to today’s business, which is to consider five 

of the President’s nominees, I want to begin the hearing by saying 

that while we have not always had hearings on nominees for these 

positions that I especially appreciate Senator Murray’s agreeing 

that we will mark-up these nominees, or we will consider them for 

mark-up, tomorrow. I appreciate that very much. 

I wanted to say a few words first about healthcare, and then give 

Senator Murray a chance to say a word about that, if she wishes. 

Then we will go on to the business at hand, which is the hearing 

for these five nominees. 

This committee, which is the Senate’s health committee, will 

hold hearings beginning the week of September 4, 2017 on the actions Congress should take to stabilize and strengthen the individual health insurance market so that Americans will be able to 

buy insurance at affordable prices in the year 2018. 

We will hear from State insurance commissioners, from patients, 

from Governors, healthcare experts, and insurance companies. 

Committee staff will begin work this week working with all committee members to prepare for these hearings and discussions. 

The reason for these hearings is that unless Congress acts by 

September 27—when insurance companies must sign contracts 

with the Federal Government to sell insurance on the Federal exchange next year—millions of Americans with Government subsidies in up to half our States may find themselves with zero options for buying health insurance on the exchanges in 2018. Many 

others, without Government subsidies, will find themselves unable 

to afford health insurance because of rising premiums, co-pays, and 

deductibles. 

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There are a number of issues with the American healthcare system, but if your house is on fire, you want to put out the fire, and 

the fire in this case is the individual health insurance market. Both 

Republicans and Democrats agree on this. 

Our committee had one hearing on this subject on February 1, 

and we will work intensively between now and the end of September in order to finish our work in time to have an effect on the 

health insurance policies that will be sold next year in 2018. 

I am consulting with Senator Murray to make these hearings bipartisan and to involve as many members of the committee as is 

possible; all who want to be involved. I will be consulting with Senator Hatch and Senator Wyden so that the Finance Committee is 

aware of any matters we discuss that might be within its jurisdiction. 

In these discussions, we are dealing with a small segment of the 

total health insurance market. Only about 6 percent of insured 

Americans buy their insurance in the individual market. Only 

about 4 percent of insured Americans buy their insurance on the 

exchanges. While these percentages are small, they represent large 

numbers of Americans including many of our most vulnerable 

Americans. 

We are talking about the roughly 18 million Americans in the individual market. About 11 million of them buy their insurance on 

the Affordable Care Act exchanges. About 9 million of those 11 million Americans have Affordable Care Act subsidies. Unless we act, 

many of them may not have policies available to buy in 2018 because insurance companies will pull out of collapsing markets. 

Just as important, unless we act, costs could rise once again 

making healthcare unaffordable for the additional 9 million Americans in the individual market who receive no Government support. 

Roughly 2 million of them buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchanges, but do not qualify for a Government 

subsidy and roughly 7 million buy their insurance outside of the 

exchanges. This means they have no Government help paying for 

their premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. 

As we prepare for these discussions, I have also urged the President to temporarily continue the cost-sharing reduction payments 

through September so that Congress can work on a short-term solution for stabilizing the individual market in 2018. 

Cost-sharing reduction subsidies reduce co-pays, and deductibles, 

and other out-of-pocket costs to help low-income Americans who 

buy their health insurance on the exchanges. That would be those 

who make under 250 percent of the Federal poverty level, or roughly $30,000 for an individual or $60,000 for a family of four. 

Without payment of these cost-sharing reductions, Americans 

will be hurt. Up to half of the States will likely have bare counties 

with zero insurance providers offering insurance on the exchanges, 

and insurance premiums will increase by roughly 20 percent, according to America’s Health Insurance Plans. 

In my opinion, any solution that Congress passes for a 2018 stabilization package would need to be small, bipartisan, and balanced. It should include funding for the cost-sharing reductions, 

but it also should include greater flexibility for States in approving 

health insurance policies. 

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It is reasonable to expect that if the President were to approve 

continuation of cost-sharing subsidies for August and September— 

and if Congress in September should pass a stabilization plan that 

includes cost-sharing for 1 year—it is reasonable to expect that the 

insurance companies in 2018 would then lower their rates. They 

have told us. In fact Oliver Wyman, an independent observer of 

healthcare, has told us that lack of funding for the cost-sharing reductions would add 11 to 20 percent to premiums in 2018. 

If the President over the next 2 months, and Congress over the 

next year, takes steps to provide certainty that there will be costsharing subsidies, that should allow insurance companies to lower 

the premiums that they have projected. In fact, many insurance 

companies have priced their rates for 2018 at two different levels; 

one with cost-sharing and one without cost-sharing. 

It is important not only that the President approve temporary 

cost-sharing for August and September, but that we, in a bipartisan way, find a way to approve it at least for 1 year so we can 

keep premiums down. 

This is only step one in what we may want to do about health 

insurance and the larger question of healthcare costs. We will proceed step by step. 

A subsequent step would be to try to find a way to create a long 

term, more robust individual insurance market. For the short term, 

our proposal is that by mid-September see if we can agree on a way 

to stabilize the individual insurance market to keep premiums 

down and to make affordable insurance available to all Americans. 

We need to put out the fire in these collapsing markets wherever 

these markets are. I think it is reasonable for the President to do 

that for 2 months and then for us to act during the month of September. 

Senator Murray, if you have any comments on our hearings, I 

would welcome them, and then we will go to the business at hand. 

Senator MURRAY. Thank you very much, Chairman Alexander. 

I think it is really clear that the path to improving healthcare, 

lowering premiums, and increasing access and quality has to be 

through working across the aisle, and bringing patients and families into the process, and coming together to find common ground. 

There is a lot of work we need to do for patients and families we 

represent, especially when it comes to the uncertainty in the markets and threats from the Administration, and the potential for significant premium increases if we do not act. 

Chairman Alexander, I want to say I really appreciate your work 

with me on this and your commitment to getting a result for all 

of our constituents, particularly when it comes to the cost-sharing 

subsidies and that we do not cutoff premiums and spike those for 

patients and families. 

I think I speak for all of us on this side that we look forward to 

bipartisan hearings, and hearing from patients and stakeholders, 

and working with colleagues both on this committee and off to 

work together in a bipartisan manner to stabilize the healthcare 

market and reduce premiums for our families. 

Thank you very much for your work on this. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Murray. 

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This committee has proved it works best when it works that way. 

She made an important point I did not make. 

A number of Senators have approached us who are not Members 

of the committee who want to be a part of what is happening. We 

are going to find ways, both this month and next month, to make 

sure that they have an opportunity to be updated on and participate in our discussions as much as possible. 

The first nominee we will hear from today is Mr. Lance Robertson, the nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Aging. 

In this role, he will oversee grants to States to support Meals on 

Wheels and provide Medicaid recipients homecare and financial 

management. He is currently State Director of Oklahoma’s Aging 

Services, a position he has held for the past decade. He has received broad support from national and State groups. 

We received his ethics paperwork on June 30, concluding he is 

in compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest. The committee received his committee paperwork 

on July 10. 

Welcome, Mr. Robertson. 

Next, we will hear from Dr. Brett Giroir, who has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary for Health. 

He will oversee many public health programs including promoting biomedical research regulation and integrity; encouraging 

vaccinations to protect Americans against outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, something this committee in a bipartisan way 

has strongly supported; and helping respond to the opioid abuse 

crisis. Last year, Congress provided $1 billion over 2 years in State 

grants to address that crisis in the 21st Century Cures bill that 

came out of this committee. 

He is the founder and CEO of Health Science and Biosecurity 

Partners, and an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College 

of Medicine in Houston. 

He was nominated on May 25. We received his paperwork on 

May 30, and his Office of Government Ethics paperwork on June 

5. The Office of Government Ethics has approved his nomination. 

Then, we have Dr. Robert Kadlec, who has been nominated to 

serve as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. 

This role was created under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act to lead the Nation in emergency preparedness and 

response to protect Americans in the event of public health emergencies and disasters. It is vital in ensuring that we are prepared 

at the Federal, State, and local levels for the next public health 

threat, whether natural, such as Ebola or Zika, or a bioterror attack. He served as Deputy Staff Director for Senator Burr on the 

Intelligence Committee. 

President Trump nominated him on July 11. We received his ethics paperwork on July 19 and his committee paperwork July 25. 

The next nomination is Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz to be Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. 

In 1992, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was established within the Department of Health and 

Human Services to, ‘‘Reduce the impact of substance abuse and 

mental illness on American communities.’’ 

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The 21st Century Cures Act last year, which Senator Murphy 

and Senator Cassidy played such a large role in, made some significant changes to the agency. It directs the Assistant Secretary to 

focus on evidence-based practices, ensure the agency’s grants are 

used effectively, improve the recruitment of mental health and substance abuse professionals, and collaborate with the criminal justice system to improve services. 

She is currently the chief medical officer for the Rhode Island 

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, 

and Hospitals. 

She was nominated on June 15. The committee received her completed paperwork on June 26. OGE concluded she is in compliance 

with the conflicts of interest. 

Finally, we will hear from Dr. Jerome Adams, the nominee for 

Surgeon General. He will also serve as medical director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service. 

The Surgeon General is often called the Nation’s doctor and in 

the past, Surgeons General have addressed important issues such 

as preventing chronic diseases, supporting breast feeding, nutrition 

and exercise, and mental health. Today, he is Indiana’s State 

Health Commissioner. 

He was nominated June 29. We received his ethics paperwork 

July 7 and his committee paperwork July 24. 

We are holding the hearing today because our democratic members requested it, even though many of these nominees for these 

positions have not had hearings over the last several years. Having 

said that, I want to thank Senator Murray for agreeing to markup the nominees tomorrow. 

I am going to call on Senator Young and Senator Whitehouse 

when I introduce the witnesses before they speak, because they 

want to also introduce you. 

Senator Murray. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR MURRAY

Senator MURRAY. Thank you very much, Chairman Alexander. 

Thank you to all of our nominees for joining us today. I am looking forward to discussing your vision for the roles you have been 

asked to fill. 

As my colleagues know well, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of a thorough and complete vetting process for nominees, 

and this naturally includes ample time to examine nominees’ qualifications, and experience, and record of previous statements or decisions. 

I am also very interested in whether a nominee has demonstrated a commitment to putting everyday people first. I want to 

know if they are going to put science and facts ahead of politics and 

ideology. Critically, I want to know if they will truly be independent and will do the right thing no matter how much pressure 

is put on them by their bosses. I am going to have several questions on this today as well as questions to submit for the record. 

I do want to take just a minute to address some initial concerns, 

because I am deeply troubled by actions President Trump and Secretary Price have taken on the issue areas for which every one of 

these nominees will be responsible, if confirmed. One thing I am 

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going to want to understand today is how they will address these 

issues. 

Dr. Kadlec, if confirmed, you would hold a critical job overseeing 

our Nation’s efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to public 

health emergencies and natural disasters. So far, the Trump administration has failed to prioritize preparedness efforts, which I 

believe has left us vulnerable to public health threats. 

I will want to hear from you how much you would stand up to 

the Administration on this, given you have been an outspoken voice 

on the need to increase investments in our preparedness efforts at 

HHS. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, I am concerned this Administration has delayed some very critical steps that could help provide immediate relief for families suffering from the opioid epidemic. 

The role to which you have been nominated for was created by 

this committee, as Chairman Alexander mentioned, thanks to Senators Murphy and Cassidy. It reflects a bipartisan commitment to 

this issue, as well as larger priorities regarding mental health and 

substance abuse. 

If confirmed, you would be the first person to ever serve in this 

role, so I will want to hear from you how much you would put patients and families first in that role. 

Mr. Robertson, we are in desperate need of a strong advocate for 

older Americans and for people with disabilities in this Administration. I know you have been an outspoken advocate for older Americans back in your home State of Oklahoma. 

I will want to hear more about your commitment to protect and 

defend the rights of people with disabilities and advocate for investments for all of ACL’s programs including the disability programs. 

Dr. Adams, President Trump’s firing of the previous Surgeon 

General just halfway into his term shows to me a lack of respect 

for that office and for the independence of science. You and I have 

talked about this. 

I have made my concerns known, but I want to make clear today 

the next Surgeon General must be an advocate for science and 

facts, and must be able to stand up and correct misinformation 

coming out of this Administration. 

Dr. Giroir, I am deeply concerned with many actions that have 

been taken this year by the office you have been nominated to lead 

and this is particularly true with regards to attacks on women’s 

health and the rights of women. 

First and foremost, President Trump has proposed underfunding 

the Title X Family Planning Program and signed it into law. That 

law states to block Planned Parenthood and other qualified women’s health providers from receiving title X funds. We know he has 

appointed radical anti-choice individuals throughout the Administration, including within the office you will be charged to lead and 

just recently, he proposed gutting the Teen Pregnancy Prevention 

Program. 

I want to be clear from the outset, it would be unacceptable to 

confirm someone who would seek to continue those actions and be 

unwilling to stand up to ideological attacks on women. I have some 

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varied concerns here. I will be asking you direct questions about 

that today. 

We have a lot to cover, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you doing 

this hearing and working with you to move nominations tomorrow. 

I really want to say I appreciate you being willing to work with 

us on healthcare. I think we have shown time and again that we 

can work through some tough problems and comprise. I am ready 

to get to work and I know our side is as well. 

Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thanks, Senator Murray. 

I think we are too. 

I am going to turn to Senator Young and then to Senator Whitehouse. Senator Young to make some comments about Dr. Adams, 

Senator Whitehouse about Dr. McCance-Katz, and then we will 

hear from the nominees. 

Senator Young. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR YOUNG

Senator YOUNG. Thank you, Chairman, for this opportunity to 

say a few words of support of my very good friend, Dr. Jerome 

Adams. 

Dr. Adams, congratulations on your nomination to be the next 

Surgeon General of the United States. Congratulations to your 

family, who is here to support you along the way. 

In the past few years, Dr. Adams has served us Hoosiers well as 

the Indiana State Health Commissioner. I, along with Senator Donnelly, believe he has the experience and demonstrated leadership 

to promote public health nationwide and bring awareness to some 

of our most pressing public health challenges as our Nation’s top 

physician. 

I want to submit for the record a letter of support from Senator 

Donnelly and I, as well as statements of support from our Governor, Eric Holcomb, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, the 

American Medical Association, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and Ascension. 

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection. 

Senator YOUNG. Without objection. 

[The information referred to may be found in Additional Material.] 

Senator YOUNG. I look forward to hearing Dr. Adams’ testimony 

and I yield back. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Whitehouse. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Senator WHITEHOUSE. Thank you, Chairman, for the opportunity 

to join you in welcoming Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz to the committee. 

As you mentioned, Dr. McCance-Katz is an addiction psychiatrist. She currently serves as the chief medical officer at Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals affectionately known in Rhode Island as 

BHDDH. She is also a professor of Psychiatry and Human BehavHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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ior and Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown University in 

Providence. 

I have spoken to a number of Rhode Islanders who have been impressed by Dr. McCance-Katz’s work in our State. She has helped 

expand access to medication-assisted treatment, stabilized psychiatric services at Eleanor Slater Hospital, served as an expert advisor to the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, and much more. 

Thank you, doctor, for your willingness to take on this new and 

important role. I look forward to hearing your testimony. 

If I may take a moment also to welcome Dr. Kadlec, who we 

know from Senator Burr’s staff, and whose interest in and passion 

for bioterror preparedness and protection is well-established and 

most welcome. To Dr. Adams, who comes extremely well-recommended by our director of health in Rhode Island, Nicole Alexander-Scott. 

Thank you, Chairman. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Whitehouse. 

We will have testimony from the five nominees. We welcome you. 

We welcome your families, some of whom are here, and you are 

welcomed to acknowledge them, if you would like to. 

If you could keep your remarks to about 5 minutes, we would appreciate it because that will leave more time for Senators to ask 

you questions. 

Mr. Robertson, let us start with you. 

STATEMENT OF LANCE ROBERTSON, NOMINATED TO BE 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING, EDMOND, OK 

Mr. ROBERTSON. Good afternoon. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Murray, and members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for allowing me to appear before you today. 

I am honored to be here with my fellow nominees and I am 

grateful for your consideration of my nomination to serve as the 

Assistant Secretary on Aging and the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living or ACL. 

I look forward to discussing how we can advance that organization’s ongoing successful work in serving seniors and individuals 

living with a physical and/or intellectual and developmental disability. I appreciate the wisdom many of you and your staff members shared with me in advance of this hearing. 

I would like to thank so many family members, friends, and colleagues who have supported me through this nomination. As the 

Chairman allowed us to do, I would like to recognize and especially 

thank my wife of 23 years, who is with me today, Lori and then 

also the tremendous support from our daughters Brooke and 

Kaitlyn. 

ACL’s mission, and I quote, is to, 

‘‘Maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older 

adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their 

families and caregivers,’’ 

and that is timely and critical. ACL represents populations that 

number more than 140 million Americans and these populations 

continue to grow. Ensuring choice, independence, and meaningful 

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community inclusion is the hallmark of ACL’s work and my life’s 

mission. 

As Assistant Secretary, my vision would involve a four-pronged 

strategy, an overarching strategy that positively impacts all populations. 

The first strategy is to improve access to information about longterm services and supports. Many Americans are unsure where to 

turn when confronted with an illness, a disability, service need, or 

when they stumble into the role of caregiver. 

The next strategy focuses on supporting caregivers. The informal 

caregiver, and the service he or she provides, is the epicenter of the 

long-term services and support system. Our Nation must recognize 

how critically important it is that we help these 44 million unpaid 

family caregivers whose work to the care system is valued at $470 

billion a year. 

Under my leadership we will continue to bolster evidence-based 

solutions and build support systems that work. We will continue to 

seek ways to meet caregivers where they are and equip them with 

the tools needed to be successful in their roles. 

The third strategy is dedicated to strengthening elder justice. Far 

too many Americans are exploited and abused, and we must continue to aggressively fight this growing epidemic. Strong momentum can be seen through the work of the multiagency Elder Justice 

Coordinating Committee, the recent release of innovation grants 

funded through ACL, and the bipartisan congressional caucus focused on this important issue. 

The final strategy is increasing our network’s business acumen. 

Nonprofit aging and disability community-based organizations 

work hard every day to feed, support, transport, and assist individuals. These organizations are the backbone of our effort to promote 

independence, well-being, and quality of life for older adults and 

people living with disabilities. 

If confirmed, I look forward to working with the great team at 

ACL. As a collective body, ACL boasts a cadre of intelligent, committed, and impressive individuals. I look forward to listening, 

learning, and working together, if confirmed. 

As you fulfill your important role of confirming nominees, I am 

certain you look for individuals who not only have the requisite experience and skills, but preferably convince you that their commitment is unmatched and possibly even galvanized by personal experience. 

I humbly submit to you that I meet such criteria with nearly a 

quarter century of public service experience, a graduate degree in 

public administration, holding national leadership roles, and comprehensive experience in directing aging and disability network 

programs. 

I am humbled and appreciative of the endorsements that I have 

received from organizations across the aging and disability networks. It is my hope that when you review these letters of support, 

it will assure you of the abilities I will bring to this position, if I 

am confirmed. 

Having been partially raised by my grandparents, served as a 

caregiver, and having a niece living with significant disability affords me a personal view of ACL’s important work. 

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Never does a day go by that I am not impressed with the resiliency of those we serve. In most cases, particularly through programs offered by ACL, these individuals just need a little help: a 

meal, assistance with employment, transportation to the doctor, a 

referral to a community organization, a bit of respite, et cetera. We 

help by supporting the least expensive and preferred home and 

community-based care where it is desired. 

I believe wholeheartedly in our work to offer choices, empower 

people, and support families across the care spectrum. We help 

Americans live healthy, productive, and independent lives in their 

community. Our work is vital. 

In closing, I wish to thank President Trump for his nomination, 

support, and confidence and I am excited to work under Secretary 

Price’s leadership, if confirmed. 

Thanks to each of you for the outstanding leadership and passion 

you provide each day on behalf of our great country. If confirmed, 

I look forward to working with you and your staff. 

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to be with you 

today. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Robertson follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF LANCE ROBERTSON

Thank you Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and members of the 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for allowing me 

to appear before you today. I am honored to be here with my fellow nominees and 

am grateful for your consideration of my nomination to serve as the Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living 

(ACL). I look forward to discussing how we can advance that organization’s ongoing 

successful work in serving seniors and individuals living with a physical and/or intellectual and developmental disability. I appreciate the wisdom many of you and 

your staff members shared with me in advance of this hearing. 

I would also like to thank so many family members, friends, and colleagues who 

have supported me through this nomination. I wish to especially thank my wife of 

23 years, Lori, who joins me here today. I am grateful beyond words for her unwavering love and support and that of our daughters Brooke and Kaitlyn. 

ACL’s mission of maximizing ‘‘the independence, well-being, and health of older 

adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers’’ 

is critical. ACL currently serves more than 140 million Americans and this population continues to grow. Ensuring choice, independence, and meaningful community 

inclusion is the hallmark of ACL’s work and my life’s mission. 

As Assistant Secretary, my vision would involve a four-pronged, overarching strategy that positively impacts all populations. 

1. The first strategy is to improve access to information about long-term services 

and supports that are available both with publicly funded and private-sector resources. Many Americans are unsure where to turn when confronted with an illness, 

disability, service need, or when they stumble into the role of a caregiver. 

2. The next strategy focuses on supporting caregivers. The informal caregiver and 

the service he or she provides is the epicenter of the long-term services and supports 

system. Our Nation must recognize how critically important it is that we help the 

44 million unpaid family caregivers whose work to the care system is estimated at 

$470 billion a year. Under my leadership we will continue to bolster respite vouchers, promote evidence-based solutions, and build support systems that work. We will 

continue to seek ways to meet caregivers where they are and equip them with the 

tools needed to be successful in their roles. 

3. The third strategy is dedicated to strengthening elder justice. Far too many 

older adults are exploited and abused, and we must continue to aggressively fight 

this growing epidemic. Strong momentum can be seen, however, through the work 

of the multi-agency Elder Justice Coordinating Committee, the recent release of innovation grants funded through ACL, and the new bipartisan congressional caucus 

focused on this issue. 

4. The final strategy is increasing our network’s business acumen. Non-profit 

aging and disability community-based organizations work hard every day to feed, 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

11 

support, transport and assist individuals. These organizations are the backbone of 

our effort to promote independence, well-being and quality of life for older adults 

and people living with disabilities. 

If confirmed, I look forward to working with the great team at ACL. As a collective body, ACL boasts a cadre of intelligent, committed and impressive individuals. 

As you fulfill your important role of confirming nominees, I am certain you look 

for individuals who not only have the requisite experience and skills but preferably 

convince you that their commitment is unmatched and possibly even galvanized by 

personal experience. I humbly submit to you that I meet such criteria with nearly 

a quarter century of public service experience, a graduate degree in public administration, holding national leadership roles, and comprehensive experience in directing 

aging and disability network programs. I am humbled and appreciative of the endorsements that I have received from organizations across the aging and disability 

networks. It is my hope that when you review the letters of support it will assure 

you of the abilities that I would bring to this position if I am confirmed. Having 

been partially raised by my grandparents, served as a caregiver, and having a niece 

living with significant disability affords me a personal view of ACL’s important 

work. 

Never does a day go by that I’m not impressed with the resiliency of those we 

serve. In most cases, particularly through programs offered by ACL, these individuals just need a little help—a meal, assistance with employment, transportation to 

the doctor, a referral to a community organization, a bit of respite, etc. We help by 

supporting the least expensive and preferred home and community-based care 

where it is desired. I believe whole-heartedly in our work to offer choices, empower 

people, and support families across the care spectrum. We help Americans live 

healthy, productive and independent lives in their community. Our work is vital. 

I wish to thank President Trump for his nomination, support and confidence and 

I am excited to work under Secretary Price’s leadership if confirmed. Thanks to each 

of you for the outstanding leadership and passion you provide each day on behalf 

our great country. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and your staff. 

Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Robertson. 

Dr. Giroir. 

STATEMENT OF BRETT GIROIR, M.D., NOMINATED TO BE 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, COLLEGE STATION, TX 

Dr. GIROIR. Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, 

members of the committee. 

Thank you for the invitation to testify before you here today. 

I am especially grateful to the many committee members who 

spent time meeting with me individually to engage in truly substantive discussions about important health issues facing our Nation. 

I am honored to appear before you as the President’s nominee to 

be the Assistant Secretary for Health, and I am very pleased to be 

joined here today by my wife, Jill, of 32 years; my mother Freida, 

a retired police officer and cancer survivor; and our younger daughter Madeline. Not here today is our older daughter Jacqueline, who 

just recently delivered our first grandchild, Isabel; her husband 

Erik, an Iraq veteran; and my late father Frank, also a police officer and a veteran, who would have been truly honored to be here 

today. 

As this committee well knows, the Assistant Secretary for Health 

is the senior advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues of public health and science. Component offices—including the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Vaccine 

Program Office, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, 

and the Offices of Adolescent Health, Minority Health, Women’s 

Health, Population Affairs, and HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

12 

Policy—provide leadership and coordination across the U.S. Government for a vast array of science and public health issues that 

touch nearly every single American. 

Should I be fortunate enough to gain your confidence and be confirmed, I will be a passionate advocate for policies, programs, research, and innovative solutions to enhance the health of all Americans, and especially support initiatives that reduce our current disparities in mortality and suffering. 

There are no silver bullets, but I believe the pathway is clear, 

emphasize prevention and early detection by empowering individuals and groups; embrace science and data; welcome new data; listen to all stakeholders, especially those with diverse viewpoints; 

foster an innovative environment that maximizes the creativity of 

academia and the private sector; remain humble; and as a physician, I always focus on patients and their families. 

Because of my parents’ emphasis on education, I became the first 

member of my family to attend college and graduated from Harvard University. I chose to attend medical school in Dallas at the 

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, not only for 

their renowned faculty, but for the opportunity to provide compassionate care to patients at one of our Nation’s preeminent safety 

net public hospitals, that is, Parkland Memorial Hospital. 

I completed a residency and chief residency in pediatrics and 

then a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine. I remained on 

the faculty at UT Southwestern for 10 years, becoming a tenured 

professor, associate dean, and chief medical officer at Children’s 

Medical Center where I was privileged to care for thousands of 

critically ill children and their families. 

My career then took an unexpected turn when I was recruited by 

the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, also known commonly as DARPA. I joined a science and technology assessment 

committee, and ultimately DARPA itself as the Deputy Director, 

and then the Director of the Science Office. I learned very quickly 

that when the Government can effectively collaborate with academic and industry partners, there can be unimagined advances in 

medicine and human health. 

In this regard, one of the most meaningful accomplishments of 

our DARPA team was the development of a revolutionary prosthetic upper limb that restored near-normal human capabilities, 

and could be controlled by muscles, by nerves, or even directly by 

the brain. 

Following my assignment at DARPA, I have remained dedicated 

to disease prevention, patient empowerment, and the development 

of new vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases and cancer. 

I am called to the Assistant Secretary for Health position for one 

reason, and that is to do whatever I can to enhance the health of 

our Nation. To do so will require broad collaboration, public engagement, and bold initiatives. 

I will do everything also in my authority and ability to support, 

advance, and advocate for the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. 

Public Health Service, which for more than 200 years has been 

America’s warriors against disease with the enduring mission to 

protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

13 

I thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you and 

welcome your questions. 

[The prepared statement of Dr. Giroir follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF BRETT GIROIR, M.D. 

Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, members of the committee, thank 

you for the invitation to testify before you today. I am especially grateful to the 

many committee members who spent time meeting with me individually to engage 

in substantive discussions about important public health issues facing our Nation. 

I am honored to appear before you as the President’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Health, and am pleased to be joined here by my wife of 32 years, Jill, 

my mother Freida—a retired police officer and cancer survivor—and our younger 

daughter Madeline. Not here today is our older daughter Jacqueline, who just recently delivered our first grandchild, her husband Erik—an Iraq veteran—and my 

late father Frank, also a police officer and a veteran, who would have been truly 

honored to attend this hearing. 

As this committee well knows, the Assistant Secretary for Health is the senior advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues of public health and 

science. Component offices—including the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Vaccine Program Office, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and the Offices of 

Adolescent Health , Minority Health, Women’s Health, Population Affairs, and HIV/ 

AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy—provide leadership and coordination across the 

U.S. government for a vast array of science and public health issues that touch 

nearly every single American. 

Should I be fortunate enough to gain your confidence and be confirmed, I will be 

a passionate advocate for policies, programs, research, and innovative solutions to 

enhance the health of all Americans, and especially support initiatives that reduce 

our current disparities in mortality and human suffering. There are no silver bullets, but the pathway is clear: elevate prevention and early detection by empowering 

individuals and groups; embrace science and welcome new data; listen to all stakeholders especially those with diverse viewpoints; foster an innovative environment 

that maximizes the creativity of academia and the private sector; remain humble; 

and always focus on patients and their families. 

Because of my parent’s emphasis on education, I became the first member of my 

family to attend college, and graduated from Harvard University. I chose to attend 

medical school in Dallas at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 

in Dallas, not only for their renowned faculty, but mainly for the opportunity to provide compassionate care to patients at one of our Nation’s preeminent safety net 

public hospital—Parkland Memorial Hospital. I completed a residency and chief 

residency in pediatrics and then a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine. I 

remained on the faculty at UT Southwestern for 10 years, becoming a tenured professor, associate dean, and chief medical officer at Children’s Medical Center where 

I was privileged to care for thousands of critically ill children and their families. 

My career then took an unexpected turn, when I was recruited by the Defense 

Advanced Research Projects Agency, commonly known as DARPA. I joined a science 

and technology assessment committee, and ultimately DARPA itself as the Deputy 

Director, and then Director, of the Science Office. I rapidly realized that when the 

government collaborates with academic and industry partners, there can be 

unimagined advances in medicine and human health. In this regard, one of the most 

meaningful accomplishments of our DARPA team was the development of a revolutionary prosthetic upper limb that restored near-normal human capabilities, and 

could be controlled by muscles, nerves, or even directly by the brain. 

Following my assignment at DARPA, I have remained dedicated to improving disease prevention, patient empowerment, and the development of new vaccines and 

treatments for infectious diseases and cancer. I truly feel called to the Assistant Secretary for Health position for one reason, and that is, to do whatever I can to enhance the health of our Nation. To do so will require broad collaboration, public engagement, and bold initiatives. I will also do everything in my power and abilities 

to support and advance the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, 

which for more than 200 years, has been America’s warriors against disease, with 

the mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation. 

I thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you and welcome your 

questions. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. Is it Giroir? 

Dr. GIROIR. Yes, sir. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

14 

The CHAIRMAN. I said it right. Good. Thank you. I did not want 

to say it wrong. Thank you very much. 

Dr. Kadlec. 

STATEMENT OF ROBERT KADLEC, M.D., NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE, 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 

Dr. KADLEC. Thank you, Chairman Alexander, and Ranking 

Member Murray, members of the Senate HELP Committee. 

It is a privilege to appear before you today as you consider my 

nomination for the position of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 

and Response. 

Mr. Chairman, there are many I need to thank for this opportunity; President Trump and Secretary Price for their confidence in 

my abilities and nominating me for this position. The many who 

have encouraged, and supported, and assisted me through this 

process, and my family—my wife Ann, daughters Margaret and 

Samantha, who are rising high school seniors and who are currently on the Bataan Death March of college tours. They have supported me and will enable me to take on this responsibility, should 

I be confirmed. 

I would also like to acknowledge classmates, colleagues, friends, 

and fellow committee staff who are here or watching from their offices. I want to specifically recognize my colleagues at the Senate 

Intelligence Committee who, like many congressional staff, get far 

too little recognition for their dedicated, selfless, and important 

service to our Nation. 

The prospect of becoming the ASPR is both exciting and 

daunting. Having been a HELP Committee staffer who assisted 

drafting the original position description under the great leadership of Senator Richard Burr and the late Senator Ted Kennedy, 

I have firsthand insight into the rationale of why HHS and the Nation needed someone to be in charge of coordinating medical and 

public health preparedness and response. 

A decade ago, incidents like September 11, the anthrax letters, 

Hurricane Katrina, and the potential for a deadly influenza all demanded that we improve the Federal Government’s ability to assist 

State and local health authorities, and mobilize the private sector 

in responding to future events. The need now is as real and urgent 

as it was then. 

The mission of ASPR can be distilled in just a couple of words, 

and that is, to save lives. I can conceive of no greater duty or higher calling than this. 

If confirmed, I will fully accept the responsibility to do everything reasonable and appropriate to prepare for and respond to the 

spectrum of threats that endanger Americans, our national security, and our way of life. 

If confirmed, I pledge to you my all in pursuit of this mission and 

will work 24–7–365 to fulfill the ASPR’s duties. 

Having spent the last 21⁄2 years on the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have had the unique privilege to learn in exquisite detail 

the many threats and challenges that confront our country, in particular those emerging as clear and present dangers today. The 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

15 

threat landscape before us is more diverse and more lethal than 

the one after September 11. 

When I last sat in this hearing room in 2006 as a HELP staffer, 

ISIL did not exist; North Korea did not possess both the nuclear 

weapons, and the missiles and means to attack our homeland; the 

use of chemical weapons by terrorists and by the Syrian government on defenseless citizens was a concern, not a routine occurrence; and the risks of cyber warfare were still largely hypothetical. 

Today, all these and other challenges exist in a way that makes the 

mission of ASPR more important. 

If confirmed, there are five priority issues that I will pursue. 

First, provide strong leadership. Lead the capable and dedicated 

men and women of ASPR, provide them clear policy direction, improve their threat and situational awareness, advocate for, and secure, adequate resources for the ASPR mission. 

Second, create a national contingency healthcare system that 

better organizes, trains, and equips our State and local healthcare 

systems, facilities, and providers to ensure that they cannot only 

better respond to routine emergencies, but to extraordinary events 

that are likely to occur. 

Here we have an opportunity to better integrate Emergency Medical Services, the tip of the spear of our national medical response, 

into these efforts, and to increase effective coordination across HHS 

and the Federal departments, such as the Department of Defense 

and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to support State and local 

responders. 

Third, support CDC and the sustainment of robust and reliable 

public health security capabilities that include an improved ability 

to detect and diagnose infectious diseases and other threats, as 

well as the capacity to rapidly characterize and attribute them. 

Fourth, reinvigorate and advance an innovative medical countermeasure enterprise. We must capitalize on advances in biotechnology and science to develop and maintain a robust stockpile 

of safe and efficacious vaccines, medicines, and supplies to respond 

to emerging disease outbreaks, pandemics, and chemical, biological, 

radiological, and nuclear incidents or attacks. 

Finally, work with you and your staff on the reauthorization of 

the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act in 2018 to further 

strengthen our Nation’s readiness and response for 21st century 

threats. 

I would like to close by simply thanking you for your consideration and the prospect of continuing to serve our great Nation, if 

confirmed. 

[The prepared statement of Dr. Kadlec follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF ROBERT KADLEC, M.D. 

Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, members of the Senate HELP 

Committee, it is both a privilege and special opportunity to appear before you today 

as you consider my nomination for the important position of Assistant Secretary for 

Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS). 

Mr. Chairman there are many I need to thank for this opportunity: President 

Trump and Secretary Price for their confidence in my abilities and nominating me 

for this position; the many who have encouraged and assisted me through this process; and my family—my wife Ann, daughters Margaret and Samantha—who have 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

16 

supported me and will enable me to take on this responsibility should I be confirmed. 

I would also like to acknowledge classmates, colleagues, friends and fellow committee staff who are here or watching from their offices. I want to specifically recognize my colleagues at the Senate Intelligence Committee who, like many congressional staff, get far too little recognition for their dedicated, selfless and important 

service to our Nation. 

As I sit here, the prospect of becoming the ASPR is both exciting and daunting. 

Having been a HELP Committee staffer who assisted drafting the original position 

description under the great leadership of Senator Richard Burr and the late Senator 

Ted Kennedy, I have firsthand insight into the rationale why HHS and the Nation 

needed a single leader to be responsible for coordinating medical and public health 

preparedness and response. 

Ten years ago, incidents like the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country, the 

deadly anthrax letters, Hurricane Katrina, and the potential for an influenza pandemic all demanded that we improve the Federal Government’s ability to assist 

State and local health authorities and mobilize the private sector in responding to 

future events. The need now is as real and urgent as it was then. 

To distill the ASPR mission to just a couple of words, it is to ‘‘save lives.’’ As a 

physician, I can conceive of no greater honorable duty or higher calling than this. 

If confirmed, I fully accept the responsibility to ensure that we do everything reasonable and appropriate to prepare for and respond to a spectrum of 21st century 

threats that endanger Americans, our national security, and our way of life. If confirmed, I pledge to you my all in pursuit of this mission and will work 24-7–365 

days a year to fulfill the ASPR’s duties. 

Having spent the last 21⁄2 years working on the Senate Intelligence Committee, 

I have had the unique privilege to learn in exquisite detail the many threats and 

challenges that confront our country, in particular those emerging as clear and 

present dangers today. The threat landscape before us is more diverse and more lethal than the one that we confronted after September 11. 

When I last sat in this hearing room in 2006 as a HELP staffer ISIS did not exist; 

North Korea did not possess both nuclear weapons and the missiles to attack our 

homeland; the use of chemical weapons by terrorists and by the Syrian Government 

on defenseless citizens was a concern, not a routine occurrence; and the risks of 

cyber warfare were still largely hypothetical. Today, all these and other challenges 

exist in a way that makes the mission of ASPR more important and urgent. We 

must redouble our readiness efforts and improve capabilities for these and other 

threats. 

There are five priority issues that I will pursue if confirmed. First, provide strong 

leadership, including clear policy direction, improving threat and situational awareness, advocating for and securing adequate resources. 

Second, seek the creation of a ‘‘national contingency health care’’ system. There 

is an urgent need to better organize, train and equip our State and local healthcare 

systems, facilities and providers to ensure that they cannot only better respond to 

routine emergencies but to extraordinary events that are likely to occur. Here we 

have an opportunity to better integrate Emergency Medical Services, the ‘‘tip of the 

spear’’ of our national medical response into these efforts and to increase effective 

coordination across HHS and the Federal departments, such as the Department of 

Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to support State and local responders. 

Third, support the sustainment of robust and reliable public health security capabilities that include an improved ability to detect and diagnose infectious diseases 

and other threats, as well as the capacity to rapidly characterize and attribute 

them. 

Fourth, re-invigorate and advance an innovative medical countermeasures enterprise. We must capitalize on advances in biotechnology and science to develop and 

maintain a robust stockpile of safe and efficacious vaccines, medicines and supplies 

to respond to emerging disease outbreaks, pandemics, and chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological incidents and attacks. 

Finally, work with you and your staff on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and 

All-Hazards Preparedness Act in 2018 to strengthen our Nation’s readiness and response for 21st century threats. 

Last, I simply wish to thank you all for your consideration and the prospect of 

continuing to serve our great Nation. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Dr. Kadlec. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, welcome. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

17 

STATEMENT OF ELINORE F. McCANCE-KATZ, M.D., NOMINATED 

TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE USE, CRANSTON, RI 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member 

Murray, and members of the committee. 

I am honored to be here today. I want to thank you for inviting 

me here today to consider my nomination as Assistant Secretary 

for Mental Health and Substance Use. 

I come from a family that has placed service to our country as 

their highest calling, starting with my late grandfather, William J. 

McCance, who served in World War II and participated in both the 

North African and the D-Day invasions. My father, William Thomas McCance, is a career Navy submarine force veteran who rose to 

the highest enlisted ranks as Master Chief Hospital Corpsman. My 

mother, Anna McCance, as the wife of a navy chief of the boat, 

comforted and cared for the families of sailors on the submarines 

on which my father served, faithfully demonstrating that spouses 

also share in the defense of our Nation. 

I am happy to have my husband, Michael Katz, sitting behind 

me, here with me today, as well as my daughters, Anna and Heather. Our son, Josh, could not be here today, but they have all been 

a source of support and joy to me. Service to our country was modeled to me in my family, and I look forward to continuing this tradition, if I am confirmed. 

I am a psychiatrist, and I am sub-specialized in addiction psychiatry. From my 30 years of caring for patients, I have had the opportunity to learn a significant amount about mental and substance use disorders. 

I have also had the opportunity to work in both State and Federal Government, so I have unique insight into the challenges the 

current regulatory regime poses for assisting people with these illnesses; experiences that I believe have helped prepare me to implement the statutes enacted by Congress and signed into law by the 

President. 

Our country faces very serious challenges in mental health and 

substance use, and the position for which I am being considered 

heralds a new era in the treatment and care needs of Americans 

through recent landmark legislation including the 21st Century 

Cures Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. 

These laws, in addition to other congressional legislative guidance, 

will allow more effective use of Federal funds at SAMHSA and coordination of funding initiatives at other agencies to better serve 

Americans. 

If confirmed, I would prioritize two areas, addressing the opioid 

epidemic and focusing on those with serious mental illness. 

Our Nation is afflicted by a crisis of opioid addiction, overdose, 

and death. Sadly, to a large extent, this is a crisis that has grown 

out of ill-informed and misguided attempts to address issues of 

pain. 

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health tell us 

that 54 percent of mis-users obtained opioid medications free from 

friends and relatives, while 34 percent admit to misusing opioids 

prescribed by their doctor for pain management. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

18 

The data teaches us important lessons about prevention and 

treatment issues. We must educate Americans on safe and appropriate use of pain medications. Innovative approaches to healthcare 

practitioner training should address effective pain management, 

identification, and treatment of substance use disorders, as well as 

frequently co-occurring mental disorders. 

Increasing access to care and recovery services is critically important to addressing the opioid epidemic. Evidence-based, medicationassisted treatment, peer specialists, and a growing array of community supports are essential underpinnings of recovery and form the 

basis of a collaborative care model that can best serve Americans. 

For too long, the care and treatment needs of the most seriously 

mentally ill Americans have been neglected. SAMHSA national 

survey data indicate that 35 percent of Americans with the most 

serious mental illnesses receive no treatment whatsoever. In addressing this, SAMHSA must assure that program funding supports evidence-based early intervention, treatment, and recovery 

services. 

We are fortunate to have stakeholders from many complementary disciplines who are ready and willing to collaborate to help 

meet this goal. We must focus on evidence-based services including 

psychiatric care, medication, and psychotherapy treatments in collaboration with peer support and other community-based services 

designed to provide the resources needed to assure the best possible outcomes. We must also work to include the families of those 

with serious mental illness in the discussion of their loved one’s 

needs. 

If confirmed, I would look forward to working with Congress and 

stakeholder groups on how to share information urgently needed to 

assure care and safety of a person, while also paying attention to 

their privacy needs and their rights. 

If confirmed, I will be attentive to the concerns of Congress. I 

look forward to your guidance and input, and I will work very hard 

to implement Congress’ vision informed by stakeholders and enacted through legislation. 

I look forward to answering your questions. 

[The prepared statement of Dr. McCance-Katz follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF ELINORE F. MCCANCE-KATZ, M.D. 

Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and members of the committee, 

I am honored to be here today. I want to thank you for inviting me here today to 

consider my nomination as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance 

Use. 

I come from a family that has placed service to our country as their highest calling, starting with my late grandfather, William J. McCance, who served in World 

War II and participated in both the North African and the D-Day invasions. My father, William Thomas McCance, is a career Navy submarine force veteran who rose 

to the highest enlisted ranks as Master Chief Hospital Corpsman. My mother, Anna 

McCance, as the wife of a Navy Chief of the Boat, comforted and cared for the families of sailors on the submarines on which my father served—faithfully demonstrating that spouses also share in the defense of our Nation. 

I am happy to have my husband, Michael Katz, here with me today as well as 

my daughters, Anna and Heather. My son, Josh, could not be here. They have all 

been a source of support and joy. Service to our country was modeled to me in my 

family and I look forward to continuing this tradition, if I am confirmed. 

I am a psychiatrist, and I am subspecialized in Addiction Psychiatry. From my 

30 years caring for patients, I have had the opportunity to learn a significant 

amount about mental and substance use disorders. I have also had the opportunity 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

19 

to work in both State and Federal Government, so I have unique insight into the 

challenges the current regulatory regime poses for assisting people with these illnesses—experiences that I believe have helped prepare me to implement the statutes enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President. 

Our country faces very serious challenges in mental health and substance use, 

and the position for which I am being considered heralds a new era in the treatment 

and care needs of Americans through recent landmark legislation including the 21st 

Century CURES Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. These 

laws, in addition to other congressional legislative guidance, will allow more effective use of Federal funds at SAMHSA and coordination of funding initiatives at 

other agencies to better serve Americans. If confirmed, I would prioritize two areas: 

addressing the opioid epidemic and focusing on those with serious mental illness. 

Our Nation is afflicted by a crisis of opioid addiction, overdose and death. Sadly, 

to a large extent, this is a crisis that has grown out of ill-informed and misguided 

attempts to address issues of pain. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and 

Health tell us that 54 percent of mis-users obtained opioid medications free from 

friends and relatives while 34 percent admit to misusing opioids prescribed by their 

doctor for pain management. The data teaches important lessons about prevention 

and treatment issues. We must educate Americans on safe and appropriate use of 

pain medications. Innovative approaches to healthcare practitioner training should 

address effective pain management, identification and treatment of substance use 

disorders as well as frequently co-occurring mental disorders. Increasing access to 

care and recovery services is critically important to addressing the opioid epidemic. 

Evidence-based medication-assisted treatment, peer specialists and a growing array 

of community supports are essential underpinnings of recovery and form the basis 

of a collaborative care model that can best serve Americans. 

For too long, the care and treatment needs of the most seriously mentally ill 

Americans have been neglected. SAMHSA national survey data indicates that 35 

percent of Americans with the most serious mental illnesses receive no treatment 

whatsoever. In addressing this, SAMHSA must assure that program funding supports evidence-based early intervention, treatment and recovery services. We are 

fortunate to have stakeholders from many complementary disciplines who are ready 

and willing to collaborate and help meet this goal. We must focus on evidence-based 

services including psychiatric care, medication and psychotherapy treatments, in 

collaboration with peer support and other community-based services designed to 

provide the resources needed to assure the best possible outcomes. We must also 

work to include the families of those with serious mental illness in the discussion 

of their loved one’s needs. If confirmed, I would look forward to working with Congress and stakeholder groups on how to share information urgently needed to assure 

care and safety of a person while also paying attention to their privacy rights. 

If confirmed, I will be attentive to the concerns of Congress. I look forward to your 

guidance and input, and I will work very hard to implement Congress’s vision informed by stakeholders and enacted through legislation. I look forward to answering 

your questions. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Dr. McCance-Katz. 

Dr. Adams. 

STATEMENT OF JEROME ADAMS, M.D., NOMINATED TO BE 

SURGEON GENERAL OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, 

FISHER, IN 

Dr. ADAMS. Chairman Alexander, Senator Murray, members of 

the committee. 

Thank you for the invitation to testify today. I also wish to thank 

President Trump, Vice President Pence, Governor Holcomb, and 

the Indiana congressional delegation, friends, and supporting organizations, and my family. 

Especially my very well-dressed mother and father, who you see 

behind me, and my beautiful little daughter, Millie. I had to pay 

her a whole lot to do that. 

[Laughter.] 

I am taking her to your office afterwards to get Good Humor, 

Chairman Alexander. He has a whole ice cream refrigerator in his 

office, in case you all did not know. 

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20 

[Laughter.] 

And my wonderful wife, Lacey, without whose support I would 

not be here today. Thank you, honey. 

Both the position of Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health 

Corps that the Surgeon General leads, are integral to our national 

health education and response capabilities. The U.S. Public Health 

Corps is an elite team of over 6,500 highly qualified health professionals. The Corps serves as our national health army, deploying 

whenever man-made or natural crises place our public’s health at 

risk. 

Whether we are facing infectious diseases like Ebola and Zika, 

or natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, or human-caused tragedies like the opioid epidemic, our country and world deserve and 

need this ready to respond army of health experts. 

Many people call the U.S. Surgeon General the Nation’s top doctor. This title does not do justice to the professions represented in 

the Health Corps: nurses and doctors, dentists and therapists, scientists, and some of the country’s best doctors. The further suggestion that as a top doctor, I can be all things to health does not give 

proper consideration to the vital role partnerships play in the success of this position. 

The position of Surgeon General carries with it a tremendous 

power to convene and to facilitate important health and wellness 

discussions. Therefore, the real power of the position comes from 

the wide array of national health crusaders that can be mobilized 

if the platform is used properly. 

I would next like to share with you why I feel I can uniquely contribute to the role of Surgeon General. Not only have I earned a 

Master’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in chronic disease prevention from Berkeley, but I have served as the Indiana 

State Health Commissioner, in essence the Surgeon General for Indiana, for the past 21⁄2 years. 

In that role, I have personally overseen our State’s response to 

Ebola and Zika, and a rural HIV outbreak related to injection drug 

use, and also overseen the State’s Health and Human Services and 

Tobacco Cessation Commissions, the State’s Public Health Laboratory, and its Health Care Quality and Regulatory division. 

I also continue to practice as a physician anesthesiologist at 

Eskenazi Health, a Level One trauma center and a safety net hospital, and serve as clinical associate professor of anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine. In these dual roles as both clinician and educator, I see the impact of health policy decisions on 

both providers and patients each and every day. 

My final and toughest, but also my most important, job is serving 

as father and mentor to my 7-, 11-, and 13-year-old children. That 

means for every policy decision, I not only sympathize, but 

empathize with all parents regarding the potential impact. 

With a bit more of your indulgence, I will briefly address what 

I hope to be my priorities, if confirmed. 

Our Nation is facing a crisis. The addictive properties of opioids 

are a scourge on our country. Secretary Price has declared the 

opioid epidemic and the untreated mental illness, which lie at the 

root of much of the current situation, as top priorities. I share his 

urgency, and feel I bring to this discussion a unique perspective, 

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and a proven track record of partnering with various groups to address the problem. 

If confirmed, I also hope to make wellness, and community, and 

employer engagement centerpieces of my agenda. We will not successfully tackle the opioid epidemic, or obesity, or healthcare access 

and cost, if we continue to focus downstream. Too much of our 

focus is on providing care after a person has already developed a 

disease, but this frequently represents many missed opportunities 

for prevention. 

Our health starts in the communities where we live, learn, work, 

play, and go to school. We need to partner with communities and 

empower them to implement local solutions to their toughest problems. I know it may sound like a cliche ́, but if confirmed, I truly 

hope to make America healthier. Healthy people and communities 

are more productive, and profitable, and in turn attract more jobs 

and prosperity. 

Unfortunately, however, American prosperity and competitiveness are being compromised by America’s poor health. Major corporations know this, and in many ways, they are doing better than 

our own health institutions to address the health and wellness of 

their employees. 

We must work with the business community to share best practices and to reach beyond the workplace. Our goal should be to 

truly develop and rebuild communities around wellness and prosperity. 

I would like to close my remarks by saying I cannot promise you 

that we will be in agreement on all health and health policy matters. The truth is we will not. I cannot promise you that the office 

of the Surgeon General can fix all of the health and healthcare 

problems plaguing our Nation. 

What I can, in fact, promise you is my unwavering commitment 

to finding the best, and presenting the best scientific evidence, in 

both internal policy discussions and external educational endeavors. I promise you I will continue my strong and well-documented 

track record of reaching out to everyone regardless of their politics, 

beliefs, culture, or geography. 

I promise you that, if confirmed, I will truly seek to be the Surgeon General for all of our United States to the best of my ability, 

a champion for everything our country aspires to be in terms of 

health and wellness. 

I look forward to your questions, and thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Chairman and Madam Ranking Member. 

[The prepared statement of Dr. Adams follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF JEROME ADAMS, M.D. 

Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, members of the committee: 

Thank you for the invitation to testify before you today. I also wish to thank President Trump and Vice President Pence, Governor Holcomb and the Indiana congressional delegation, my family, friends, and supporting organizations. 

It is a tremendous honor and opportunity to appear before you today as the President’s nominee to be our Nation’s next Surgeon General. If confirmed I would serve 

as our country’s 20th Surgeon General, representing 180 years of public health leadership from the position. I assure you I do not take this legacy lightly. 

Both the position of Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health Corps that the 

Surgeon General leads, are an extremely important component of our national 

health education and response capabilities. The Commissioned Corps of the U.S. 

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Public Health Service Corps is one of the seven uniformed services, and is an elite 

team of over 6,500 highly qualified health professionals. The Health Service Corps 

serves as our national health army, ready to deploy whenever a man-made or natural crisis has placed our public’s health at risk. 

Whether we are facing infectious diseases like Ebola and Zika, or natural disasters like earthquakes and Hurricane Katrina, or human-caused tragedies like 9/11 

and the opioid epidemic, our country and our world deserve and need this readyto-respond army of health experts. This army deserves and needs a qualified leader—the U.S. Surgeon General. 

Many people call the U.S. Surgeon General the Nation’s ‘‘Top Doctor.’’ This moniker doesn’t do justice to the diversity of professions represented in the Health 

Corps—nurses, pharmacists, therapists, scientists, and many others, in addition to 

some of the country’s best doctors. The further insinuation that one person can be 

all things to health also doesn’t give proper consideration to the vital role partnerships play in the success of this position. 

The position of Surgeon General carries with it a tremendous power to convene 

supporters (as well as detractors), and to facilitate important health and wellness 

discussions. The power of the position comes not merely from the individual occupying it, but rather from the even wider array of health crusaders that can be mobilized from a multitude of sectors across our country, if the platform is used properly. 

Having shared a little of what I think the position of Surgeon General represents, 

I’d next like to share with you why I feel I can make a unique contribution in this 

role. The position of Surgeon General must have ‘‘specialized training or significant 

experience in public health programs.’’ Not only have I earned a Master’s Degree 

in Public Health with an emphasis in Chronic Disease Prevention from UC Berkeley, but I have served as the Indiana State health commissioner—in essence the 

surgeon general for Indiana—for the past 21⁄2 years. In that role, I have overseen 

our State’s response to Ebola, Zika, and a rural HIV outbreak related to injection 

drug use, and also overseen Indiana’s tobacco cessation efforts, the State’s Public 

Laboratory, and its Health Care Quality and Regulatory division. 

In addition to serving as Health Commissioner, I continue to practice as a physician anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Hospital—a level one trauma center with a busy 

obstetrical service—and serve as Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine. In this dual role as both clinician and educator, 

I see the impact of health policy decisions on both providers and the patients we 

serve, and I have been honored to receive awards from my institution and peers for 

my ability to educate, empower, and excite, our next generation of health leaders. 

My final and toughest, but also my most important, job is to serve as father and 

mentor, to my 7-, 11-, and 13-year-old children. My status as a father is significant 

as you consider my nomination, because for every policy discussion I take part in, 

I not only sympathize, but empathize, with parents regarding the potential impact. 

When making decisions, I literally have no choice but to think about both the immediate impact on our Nation’s children—my own children included—and the world I 

am leaving for future generations. 

With a bit more of your indulgence, I will now briefly address what I hope to be 

my priorities if I’m confirmed. Our Nation is facing a drug crisis. The addictive 

properties of prescription opioids is a scourge in America and it must be stopped. 

Secretary Price has declared addressing the opioid epidemic, and untreated mental 

illness, which lie at the root of much of the current situation, as among his top priorities. I share the Secretary’s urgency at addressing this crisis and feel I bring to 

this discussion a unique perspective, and a proven track record of bringing together 

various groups to address the problem. 

I also would make wellness and community and employer engagement a centerpiece of my agenda, if confirmed. We will not successfully tackle the opioid epidemic, 

or obesity, or healthcare access and cost, if we continue to focus on how we handle 

these problems after they’ve taken hold. Much of our national focus is on providing 

care after a person has already developed a disease, but far too often this represents 

multiple missed—and more cost-effective—opportunities to have mitigated or even 

prevented the problem. 

We also won’t be able to solve these problems from Washington, DC. Our health 

starts in the communities where we live, learn, work, play, and go to school. We 

need to get out into those communities, learn about their obstacles and successes, 

share best practices, and help empower them to implement local solutions to their 

toughest problems. I know it may sound like a cliche ́ but if confirmed, I hope to 

make America healthier. Healthy people and communities are more productive, and 

profitable, and in turn attract more jobs and prosperity. 

Poor health, however, is proving to be a drag on our country’s prosperity and 

worldwide competitiveness. Major corporations know this, and in many ways are 

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23 

doing better than our own health institutions to address the health and wellness 

of their employees. We need to work with the business community in a reciprocal 

relationship, to share best practices, and go beyond the workplace. Our goal should 

be to truly develop and rebuild communities around wellness, and prosperity. 

I’d like to close my remarks by saying that I can’t promise you that we will be 

in agreement on all health and health policy matters—we won’t. I can’t promise you 

that the office of the Surgeon General can fix all of the health and healthcare problems plaguing our Nation. What I can in fact promise you is my unwavering commitment to finding and presenting the best scientific evidence, in both internal policy discussions, and external health education endeavors. I promise you that I will 

continue my strong and well-documented track record of reaching out to EVERYONE—regardless of their politics, beliefs, culture, or geography. I promise you that, 

if confirmed, I will truly seek to be the Surgeon General for all of our United 

States—to the best of my ability a champion for everything our country aspires to 

and can be in terms of health and wellness. 

I look forward to your questions, and, if confirmed, I look forward to working 

closely with all of you to improve our country’s health. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Dr. Adams. Thanks to each of you. 

We will now go to a 5-minute round of questions for the witnesses. We will begin with Senator Cassidy and then go to Senator 

Murray. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR CASSIDY

Senator CASSIDY. Thank you all and I have had a chance to 

speak with many of you. 

Dr. Giroir, I actually know how to pronounce your name; that 

comes from being from Louisiana. Dr. Adams, I enjoyed our conversation. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, of everybody, you are the one I am most interested in because Senator Murphy and I heard from stakeholders 

across the country that our Nation’s response to mental illness and 

addiction was failing. We spend billions of dollars and it was failing. 

You have a great pedigree and I know you have worked in 

SAMHSA, but it is a big, dysfunctional organization. You cannot 

throw them under the bus, but I will. 

What would be your approach, if you can be just specific? How 

are we going to make it better for the mentally ill person, so that 

her one episode of psychosis becomes her only episode of psychosis? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Thank you for that question, Senator Cassidy. 

There are a number of things that we need to do. One thing that 

is really critical is that we need to increase the number of 

healthcare providers, mental healthcare providers in this country. 

We will probably never have enough psychiatrists or addiction psychiatrists. There are just not that many being produced every year. 

Senator CASSIDY. So, then? Just because I only have a couple of 

minutes. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes. 

Senator CASSIDY. If that is the case, what do we do to mitigate 

that? What do we do to expand the effectiveness of those whom we 

have, knowing that the development of a workforce takes years and 

we have a problem now? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes, and so we can train allied health professionals much more rapidly than psychiatrists: nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants. 

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Senator CASSIDY. I accept that. Moving on from workforce development, what next? I do not mean to be rude. I just have a few 

minutes and he is about to rap me. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes. Also, innovative ways of delivering care 

such as telemedicine where physicians can be extended through 

those allied health professionals to lots of areas in the country. 

Senator CASSIDY. Kind of a build out of manpower and woman 

power shortage. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes. 

Senator CASSIDY. Moving beyond healthcare worker shortage, 

what next? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. To integrate mental health and substance 

use disorder treatment into primary care settings. 

Senator CASSIDY. The 21st Century Cures, in our bill that Senator Murphy and I had, had that provision to further integrate addressing things such as same day rule, allowing Medicaid to pay 

both. 

May I ask, what next? Because all of that, I think we give the 

tools and the license, if you will, through 21st Century Cures. I 

think what we are just yearning for is leadership within the Department that will begin to effect these changes. 

We have given you these tools. Share further about your approach, please. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. I will just finish by saying that one of the 

roles of SAMHSA is to disseminate all of this and to speak to the 

medical community and to American communities about these 

issues. 

I think that in doing all of those things, focusing on all of those 

things, we will be able to expand treatment. 

Senator CASSIDY. That sounds—I think I might have asked the 

previous director, and he or she may have given the same answer. 

I do not mean to be harsh. It just is incredible frustration about 

the lack of a coordinated, efficient, effective response on the Federal bureaucracy side. Particularly, perhaps, one thing we are asking is that you will coordinate across all Federal agencies different 

services. 

Any thoughts on how best to execute that? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. That is one of the parts of the position that 

was very important to me in reading about it. 

I think that one of the first things I will be doing is convening 

with the other Federal agencies that have funding in substance use 

and mental disorders care, and determining what they are doing, 

and whether these programs work. One of the things we are going 

to have to do is look at metrics and determine whether some of the 

programs we have really work. 

These things take time to do, but we can do it, and we can make 

use of the expertise within and also from our communities to help 

us to do that. States also, they know their communities best, and 

SAMHSA knows what is going on in States, and so can help in that 

way as well to disseminate. 

Senator CASSIDY. In some cases, SAMHSA was apparently giving 

grants to organizations which were skeptical of medications. That 

would be counterproductive. 

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By the way, I hope I did not seem rude. You are going to have 

no bigger advocate on this committee to support you except maybe 

Senator Murphy because we are both incredibly invested in your 

success. I hope I did not come across as brusque. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. No. 

Senator CASSIDY. We just feel passionately about the need to address this problem in our society. We thank you all for taking your 

jobs and thank you in particular. 

Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Cassidy. Thank you, again, 

for the work that you and Senator Murphy did with Senator Murray, and I, and others last year on the 21st Century Cures bill. 

A bill is not worth the paper it is written on unless it is implemented properly. We will be watching. 

Senator Murray. 

Senator MURRAY. Thank you very much. 

Dr. Giroir, let me start with you. If you are confirmed, you are 

going to oversee both the Office of Population Affairs, which administers Title X Family Planning grants, and the Office of Adolescent 

Health, which manages the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. 

As I said earlier, I am very concerned by the actions taken by both 

of these under this Administration. 

Recently, the Administration notified the grantees that run Teen 

Pregnancy Prevention programs of plans to terminate their grants 

2 years early. These are competitive. They are evidence-based programs. They have reached hundreds of thousands of people nationwide and trained thousands of healthcare professionals. 

I, along with Senators Baldwin and Booker, led over 30 Senators 

in writing to Secretary Price to request information on that decision. We have not gotten an answer yet. 

I wanted to ask you, if you are confirmed, do you commit to providing information to me and other concerned Senators about why 

the Administration is trying to terminate these grants when they 

are meant to continue for an additional 2 years? What do you plan 

to do regarding the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program? 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you very much, Senator Murray, for that 

question. 

First of all as a pediatrician, I share your concern about teen 

pregnancy. The good news is that since 2007, the rates of teen 

pregnancy have been reduced by about 50 percent. The bad news 

is that in 2015, we still had over 250,000 pregnancies of teen mothers and there are long-term consequences both for the young mother and also for the children. 

To answer your first question, you have my commitment to work 

with you and provide information. I think public health is a common goal for all of us. We have to work together. Public health is 

a team sport. You have, certainly, my commitment as does everyone on the committee. 

As part of the second part of the question, you certainly have my 

commitment. The budgetary justification from the Administration 

stated that the programs in the Teen Pregnancy Program did not 

significantly influence the drop in teen pregnancy rate. That is all 

I know about the rationale. 

Senator MURRAY. Do you believe that? 

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Dr. GIROIR. I have not been able to review the evidence or the 

assessments that were made in order to achieve that conclusion. 

The only information I have is the public review, which was very 

well done in 2015, that looked at the first 5 years of the program. 

The program was evidence-based. It was community-based. There 

were many programs that were successful. There were many programs that could not be repeated, but even the lack of repeatability 

of a program is information we need to know. We need to know 

what works and does not work. 

Once I have more information, I look forward to engaging in this 

discussion vigorously. If fortunate enough to be confirmed, this is 

certainly very high on my agenda. 

Senator MURRAY. I appreciate that. 

I just want to say for over 40 years, the title X program has provided family planning services across the country. In 2015, the 

health centers under title X provided nearly 800,000 PAP tests, 

nearly 5 million tests for sexually transmitted infections, and 1.1 

million HIV tests. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that for 

every dollar invested in family planning, taxpayers save $7. 

Supporting the title X programs, to me, is really common sense 

and maintaining the funding for that is one of my top priorities. 

I wanted to ask you, do you believe that all providers who qualify 

to provide the services should be considered for inclusion in that 

program? 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you for that question, and I know how that 

is intended. 

I will absolutely implement the laws as is passed by Congress 

and given to me faithfully and as they are intended. If there are 

restrictions that are passed down to me, I am obliged to follow the 

laws as passed down to me. 

It is my intent to assure that everyone who needs these services, 

they are critically important services. They do prevent disease. 

They prevent cancer. They provide early detection, that those are 

allowed to be given to women across the board in an affordable way 

and in an accessible way. 

Senator MURRAY. OK. I just have a few seconds, so I am just 

going to ask for yes or no answers. 

Making sure that science is priority over politics is important in 

every one of the offices that you hold. We have seen under this Administration a Surgeon General who was fired before the end of his 

term. We have seen promotion of theories that have been disproven 

about immunizations. We have seen hostile efforts to combat HIV 

and AIDS. Six members of the Presidential Advisory Council on 

HIV/AIDS felt they had no choice but to quit. 

I want to make sure that each one of you understands that picking science over politics is a critical part, and I just want a yes or 

no from each of you. 

Will you commit to publicly supporting and advocating for 

science over politics and ideology? I will just go down the row. 

Dr. Adams. 

Dr. ADAMS. An emphatic yes, Senator. 

Senator MURRAY. Dr. McCance-Katz. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes. Absolutely. 

Senator MURRAY. Dr. Kadlec. 

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Dr. KADLEC. Yes. Absolutely. 

Senator MURRAY. Dr. Giroir. 

Dr. GIROIR. Absolutely, yes. 

Senator MURRAY. Mr. Robertson. 

Mr. ROBERTSON. Yes, Senator Murray. 

Senator MURRAY. OK. Thank you very much to all of you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Murray. 

Senator Collins. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR COLLINS

Senator COLLINS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Dr. Kadlec, as a member of the Intelligence Committee, I want 

to thank you for your service there on the staff and let you know 

how much your expertise will be missed, but I feel like we are giving you up for an even greater cause. Congratulations to you. 

To Dr. Adams, I want to say that I am certain that it was your 

testimony before the Aging Committee last year, which I Chair, 

that led to your appointment to be the next Surgeon General. 

Dr. ADAMS. I am absolutely certain of that too, Senator. 

Senator COLLINS. That was the right answer. 

[Laughter.] 

Dr. McCance-Katz, we discussed in my office the terrible opioid 

epidemic that my State is struggling with along with so many others. The epidemic affects people of all ages, but it is especially 

heartbreaking when it affects newborns. 

According to the CDC, Maine has among the highest rate of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in the country. We know that hospital 

costs for newborns born to addicted mothers average $66,700 nationally compared to $3,500 for those who are without NAS, and 

most of those costs are paid by the Medicaid program. 

Even more tragic, I always worry what happens to these children 

after they go home, these babies who are born to addicted mothers. 

What special efforts should be undertaken to direct programs toward helping pregnant women who are addicted? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. There are programs across the country that 

are for pregnant postpartum women. Those programs have services 

coordinated for women with childcare issues, and with addiction 

issues, and they have been very effective. 

In terms of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, we are learning a 

great deal about how best to treat that. We know that women who 

have opioid addiction, who do not get medication-assisted treatment, have much higher rates of obstetrical adverse events up to, 

and including, miscarriage and fetal death. 

If the standard of care is to give a pregnant woman, who is 

opioid dependent, medication-assisted treatment, that would be either methadone or buprenorphine. We are starting to learn that 

not only is methadone effective, but buprenorphine is as effective. 

There are studies that show that buprenorphine treatment is associated with less severe symptoms of neonatal abstinence, as well as 

fewer hospital days. 

Recently, I will say in the last year, we have heard of a new 

treatment called presumptive treatments, so we do not wait until 

the infant shows symptoms of neonatal abstinence, which can proHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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long and make the course more difficult, but start to treat presumptively if we know the mom has been on opioids. 

Making those kinds of best practices available across this country will do a great deal to address neonatal abstinence syndrome 

and to reduce the effects on these infants and their families, their 

moms and their family members. 

Senator COLLINS. Thank you. 

Mr. Robertson, when there is a situation where there is an opioid 

crisis within a family and the parents are unable to care for the 

child, it is the grandparents who often come to the rescue. I was 

listening to your testimony and learning about your own experience 

in being raised by your grandparents. 

The number of these kinship families is increasing across the Nation. In Maine alone, the number of such families increased by 24 

percent between 2010 and 2015 due to the opioid crisis. 

We held a hearing in the Aging Committee, Senator Casey and 

I, and a clear message from that hearing was the need for kinship 

parents to have greater access to information about the resources 

that are available to assist them. 

Senator Casey and I have introduced the Supporting Grandparent Raising Grandchildren Act. It creates a Federal taskforce 

charged with the development and distribution of information designed to help kinship parents. We think this would help families 

navigate the school system, plan for their family’s financial future, 

address mental health issues, and build support networks. 

Do you think that such legislation would be helpful? 

Mr. ROBERTSON. Thank you, Senator Collins, for that question, 

and certainly for your ongoing advocacy for caregivers to include 

grandparents raising grandchildren. 

I cannot thank you enough for, again, the opportunity to expose 

an issue that often, in our communities, goes unrecognized or unnoticed and that is that cadre of individuals who offer that kinship 

care—many grandparents and others who are raising children. 

You are absolutely right. I think their biggest challenge on Day 

One is to begin navigating the systems, whether that is the school 

system, or the medical system, or many other systems they must 

navigate to successfully raise those children. 

I think our society depends on it and I know at ACL, we have 

some programs dedicated to help kinship families and grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Certainly, that would be a 

priority for me, not just in a professional role, but also with my 

personal experience as well, and I know that Senator Casey feels 

the same way as well. 

I cannot thank you both enough for your championing of caregivers in general and know that I will be right there alongside you 

doing all that I can. 

Senator COLLINS. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Collins. 

Senator Murphy. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR MURPHY

Senator MURPHY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I want to thank the Chairman and Senator Murray for their 

work in helping to pass, at the end of last year, the legislation 

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which authorizes the position for which Dr. McCance-Katz is being 

nominated for. I look forward to supporting her through the process. The weight on your shoulders will be great as the first Assistant Secretary for Substance Use and Mental Health, but I know 

that you will be up to the job. 

I wanted to ask you a question about a subject that we talked 

about in my office, and that is the sections of the bill which authorizes your positions on the issue of parity, making sure that the insurance companies are covering mental illness. 

The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and 

the Opioid Crisis just released their interim report, and in it are 

recommendations on increasing parity enforcement, especially 

when it comes to these non-quantitative treatment limitations. 

I just wanted to ask you to talk for a moment about the steps 

that your office and the steps that SAMHSA and HHS can take to 

increase enforcement of the parity law, especially when it comes to 

these non-quantitative treatment limitations. The ways in which 

the bureaucracy is often used to restrict someone’s access to the 

mental health or substance abuse system, especially now given 

that it is part of the President’s Commission’s recommendations. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Thank you, Senator Murphy, for that question. 

The issue of parity for the treatment of mental and substance 

use disorders has been an ongoing problem. We hear frequently 

about families and their loved ones who cannot access the care that 

they need for any number of reasons. The inability to access payment for those services that they need is certainly a very common 

theme that is, unfortunately, heard too much. 

One of the things that I would want to do is spend some time 

with CMS around issues of how treatment is paid for at this time, 

and various ways that we might look at facilitating the care of individuals with mental and substance use disorder. 

Often, there are not a lot of treatment options available. When 

there are not a lot of treatment options available, there tend to be 

limits placed that are not appropriate, but are placed because insurers and payers are not as familiar with those interventions. 

By working collaboratively with CMS, I think that we can come 

up with some different ways of paying for services and different 

kinds of services. 

What do I mean by that? 

There are often two types of treatments: hospitalization or community outpatient programs. What we need are levels of care and 

those levels of care can be very difficult to get services paid for. 

There are economies and efficiencies to be had, and they can be 

less costly. 

Senator MURPHY. I just want to get another question. I appreciate that. 

I just would recommend to you that you have new enforcement 

powers under this piece of legislation. Working collaboratively with 

CMS is great, but you have new enforcement powers, guidance that 

you can issue, audits that you can conduct along with other partners named in the legislation. I look forward to working with you 

on that. 

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Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Senator, I look forward to your guidance. 

This would be something that would be very important for me to 

be made aware of, and I will certainly do those things. 

Senator MURPHY. Thank you very much. 

Dr. Adams, you have an impressive list of organizations that 

have endorsed you. Two of them are the American Public Health 

Association and the American Medical Association, both of which 

have listed the epidemic of gun violence in this country as a public 

health hazard. I appreciate our conversation about that in which 

you noted that you, yourself, are a gun owner. 

I wanted to ask you about the ability of your office, the ability 

of you as Surgeon General to address this issue as a public health 

hazard, as it has been named by several of the leading public 

health and medical organizations in the country. 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you very much for the question, Senator, and 

I appreciated the opportunity to speak with you and your staff. 

As I did mention to you, the caveat is that I am a gun owner and 

I have my lifetime gun permit. I also work in a Level One trauma 

center, took care of a gentleman last week who was shot six times. 

I see it each and every day. 

I think what we have to do is separate the tool from the perpetrator. Cars are not a public health problem. Car accidents are a 

public health problem. Guns and gun owners are not inherently a 

public health problem, but the violence that results absolutely is. 

There are evidence-based programs, some good ones out in Colorado, where they are bringing law enforcement, gun owners, and 

the public health community together to look at solutions to lowering the violence. It is not just homicides; it is also suicides. There 

are more suicides than there are homicides in this country. 

I think that there are lots of partners out there, if we are just 

willing to stop demonizing each other and really work together to 

look at evidence-based programs that help lower violence in children and throughout the country. 

Senator MURPHY. I appreciate your answer. 

The CHAIRMAN. We are running out of time. 

Senator MURPHY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I hope you will just look at the evidence that suggests that the 

propensity to commit a crime with a gun is directly connected to 

the likelihood that a gun is in close proximity to you. It is a little 

bit deeper than the problem that you suggest. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

Dr. ADAMS. I look forward to following up with you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Murphy. 

Senator Young. 

Senator YOUNG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Dr. Adams, I commend you for the partnerships I have seen you 

develop with law enforcement and other stakeholders, and for the 

evidence-based programming that you catalyzed, that you helped 

bring to bear as Indiana’s State Health Commissioner. 

I am speaking specifically about the opioid epidemic that afflicted 

Austin, IN. I represented Scott County, IN when I was a Member 

of Congress, so I spent a lot of time on the ground there with you 

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discussing this crisis. You helped educate me. You led in a very big 

way. 

This was one of the worst documented HIV outbreaks in the entire country. Many here present, colleagues and others who are 

watching, read about this crisis in the ‘‘New York Times’’. The response to it, both by our Federal Government in partnership with 

State authorities like yourself, is serving as a national model in a 

positive way in so many ways as we look to continue tackling this 

opioid epidemic. 

What lessons, Doctor, were learned from your experience with 

this HIV outbreak following the opioid crisis in Scott County? What 

can we do to prevent crises like this working with folks like you 

in the future? 

Dr. ADAMS. I think the biggest lesson that I learned is that the 

science and the evidence is necessary, but it is not always sufficient 

to motivate change. 

One of the things that was really successful for both me and Vice 

President Pence, then Governor Pence, was to go down to the community and to listen to the folks down there. Not demonize them 

because of the beliefs that they had. Not to call them bad people 

because of what was going on in their community. Find out why 

they thought it was happening and how they thought they could 

solve the problem. 

I remember I had a beer and a sandwich with the sheriff, and 

the sheriff shared with me his concern about the possibility of 

starting a syringe exchange program, but also his concern about 

the revolving door of his jail. I spoke with him about how we can 

utilize a syringe exchange program as a touch point to connect people to care. 

We have connected over 100 people from that HIV outbreak in 

Scott County to addiction and recovery services. We have given 

Hepatitis C testing. We have provided HIV testing. We have connected people with job training. 

I always want to lead with the science and represent the science, 

both as a physician and, if I am confirmed, as Surgeon General. I 

also want to listen to what stakeholders are saying and what my 

patients, if you will, the people of this country are saying and 

speak to them in a way that resonates with what their goals are. 

That is the lesson that I learned. 

I think partnerships, again, are the key. One of the great things 

about the Surgeon General position is you do get to go out into 

communities. I hope that for everyone on this committee, you all 

will invite me to your communities if you feel, and I should be confirmed, and that we can talk about this opioid epidemic because no 

one has the solution alone. 

The solution is going to look different in each and every community throughout the country. What worked in Scott County is not 

the same thing that is going to work in different areas of this country. 

Thank you so much for the opportunity. 

Senator YOUNG. You always took great care, as you still do 

today, to get a command of the details. You understand that every 

context is different and every crisis has its unique features. 

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In Scott County, IN and dealing with this opioid epidemic, you 

were looking at the evidence base related to syringe exchange programs. 

Dr. ADAMS. Yes. 

Senator YOUNG. Right? This is an evidence-based practice, but 

you understood, based on your consultation with various stakeholders, that Scott County, IN was different than other areas 

where this intervention had been used. 

Could you speak to that uniqueness of Scott County and how you 

adapted the syringe exchange model to these unique circumstances? 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you for the opportunity there. 

I grew up on the East Coast, trained at U.C. Berkley, and now 

live in the Midwest. I was fortunate to grow up on a family farm. 

Folks do not understand that a lot of the science is developed in 

urban areas. Then when we try to apply it to rural areas, we have 

to understand that there are different cultures, different beliefs, 

and different barriers. There are not as many physicians around. 

We had to work with a lot of the folks from the Federal Government and State Government to provide access to care in Scott 

County, IN. 

I think that understanding, again, that not all environments are 

the same and that we cannot impose our beliefs, even if they are 

based in science, on people without first sitting down with them 

and having a conversation with them. That is the key. That is the 

real key to success, whether you are talking about HIV, or hepatitis, or opioids. 

Senator YOUNG. We are out of time here. 

You had those conversations. You persuaded people of the merits 

of the science and you improved health and saved lives in the process. I commend you for that. 

I am going to be voting affirmatively for your confirmation. 

Thank you. 

Dr. ADAMS. It all started with lunch with the sheriff. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Young. 

Senator Warren. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR WARREN

Senator WARREN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Thank you all for being with us today and your willingness to 

serve. 

I want to followup on where Senator Young started and that is, 

I want to talk about another part, though, of tackling the opioid 

crisis. That means making sure that people have access to treatment. 

As Senator Murphy noted, the law says that insurers must cover 

treatment for mental health and for substance use disorders on a 

par with the coverage provided for physical health treatment. 

Insurance policies are required to treat mental health needs and 

addiction the same way they treat broken bones or a busted knee. 

They are all medical conditions. They all get covered. That is the 

law, but it does not always play out that way on the ground. 

A 2015 study found that nearly twice as many respondents were 

denied coverage for mental health treatment as for other medical 

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treatment, and the numbers are not great on addiction either. Let 

me start there. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, you have been nominated as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. Is trouble getting insurance coverage for mental health or addiction treatment a problem in effectively treating these disorders? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Coverage is a problem for many. Access to 

care is a problem perhaps, I would say, for most. 

Senator WARREN. For most. OK. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. With these issues. 

Senator WARREN. I want to underline this because I think it is 

really important that we do more to make sure that insurance companies follow the law. 

Right now, patients are often on their own trying to do battle 

with insurance companies. We are not helping them out by backing 

them up in these battles. 

When I helped create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 

the CFPB, we had a problem with consumer financial products like 

credit cards, and mortgages, and student loans where lenders just 

did not follow the law. 

CFPB set up a complaint system. We tracked those complaints 

and it helped make sure that companies address those complaints, 

and we made it all public. Anybody can go online at CFPB.gov, and 

they can search and see what companies follow the law and see 

what companies do not. Let me ask you this, Dr. McCance-Katz. 

Do you think that making sure that insurance companies follow 

the law, when it comes to parity for mental health conditions and 

addiction treatment, would help in our efforts to tackle the opioid 

crisis? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. I do. I do believe that. I believe that there 

has been a history of—I think the word ‘‘capricious’’ is not too 

strong—restrictions on the kinds of evidence-based treatments that 

people should have access to. 

You and I discussed this when we met and I believe that people 

should have access to knowledge based on what their peers and 

community members have experienced to help them to make decisions. In doing that, that can bring a simple kind of enlightenment, 

if you will, to insurers as to how they need to do things in a way 

that better serves Americans and follows the law. 

Senator WARREN. Good. I like that. 

In fact, another way to say it is it helps make the market work 

better because everybody can see right out there in public. You had 

a place to file a complaint, what happened to that complaint, which 

insurers are getting lots of complaints, and which insurers are not, 

and trying to change their behavior. 

I think that is, at least, one way to try to take the parity that 

is in the law and make it a reality for families who are struggling 

with this. 

Congressman Kennedy and I introduced a bill for this in the last 

session and it had an online portal to be able to track complaints 

about failure to cover mental health and addiction coverage. I think 

we can go even further, making sure that patients actually get responses to their complaints and making the data public about 

which insurance companies are the worst offenders. 

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Dr. McCance-Katz, if you are confirmed, I hope we can continue 

to work together on this. I think we could do a lot of good for a 

lot of families. 

Thank you. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. I would look forward to it, Senator. 

Senator WARREN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Warren. 

Senator Hassan. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR HASSAN

Senator HASSAN. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Ranking Member 

Murray. 

Good afternoon to all of the nominees. Congratulations on your 

nominations and thank you to all the family members who are 

here, too, for supporting your loved ones. We need all hands on 

deck in this business and we appreciate you very much. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, I wanted to just start with a couple of more 

questions. New Hampshire has been terribly hard hit by the opioid, 

fentanyl, and heroin epidemic. The science certainly tells us, and 

I think your statements today have supported this, that medication-assisted treatment like buprenorphine plays an important role 

in recovery along with access to other services and supports. 

I have been concerned that Secretary Tom Price has been critical 

about medication-assisted treatments suggesting it is not very effective. Recently, during a trip to West Virginia, Secretary Price 

said, ‘‘If we are just substituting one opioid for another, we are not 

moving the dial much.’’ 

I know that you have been supportive of medication-assisted 

treatment in the past and here today. You have called it an effective form of care and you have argued that healthcare providers 

should educate themselves on medication-assisted treatment. 

Do you agree with Secretary Price’s sentiments? If not, how 

would you address the concerns he has raised? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes, thank you for that question, Senator 

Hassan. 

I have not had the opportunity to speak with Secretary Price 

about his comments, but here is what I thought when I read—as 

I did in the paper—his comments. 

Senator HASSAN. Right. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Just giving an opioid is not treatment. That 

is not going to solve the problem. 

Senator HASSAN. Right. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. You have to have other psychosocial services 

in place. They include individual counseling, family therapy, group 

therapy, peer supports, community supports. Those things need to 

be in place with those opioid therapies in order for a person to be 

successfully treated. 

If you look at the diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder, what 

you will see is that two of those criteria are addressed by the opioid 

therapy, and that is tolerance and withdrawal. 

Senator HASSAN. Right. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. By addressing tolerance and withdrawal, we 

then give people the ability to engage in the psychosocial therapies 

that they need to then move on and get into productive lives. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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Senator HASSAN. I thank you for that. Like all of us, I have time 

constraints. 

I also think it is fair to say, and I am hoping for a yes or no answer here, that it is also really important that people have access 

to an integrated healthcare system if they are going to successfully 

control their substance use disorder. 

Is that fair? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes, ma’am. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. 

Dr. Giroir, welcome, and it was very nice to visit with you. 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you. 

Senator HASSAN. Some time ago, I think. 

You have spoken about the value of vaccines, and in your career, 

you have been successful in getting funding for mass production of 

vaccines. 

On the other hand, at least at one point in time, President 

Trump has seemed to perpetuate a conspiracy theory around vaccines, including saying that they were linked to autism. 

Dozens of studies, following hundreds of thousands of children 

around the world, have shown no connection between vaccines and 

autism. 

I am interested if you agree with President Trump on this issue? 

Do you believe that vaccines can cause or contribute to autism? 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you, sincerely, for this question. 

As a pediatrician, I want it to be very clear that vaccines save 

lives. They are the most important public health advance of our 

time, and they are not associated, with a high degree of medical 

certainty, with any form of autism. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. 

Dr. GIROIR. That is done by epidemiological studies that you referred to with hundreds of thousands of children being followed. 

There have also been experimental studies with nonhuman primates to show that the vaccine regimen, when given to animals, do 

not induce behaviors of autism. 

We are getting more and more evidence from research by the 

NIH and NIH-funded investigators that the brain abnormalities of 

autism start very early in fetal life. It is absolutely incompatible 

with autism. I am a pediatric care physician. 

Senator HASSAN. Yes. 

Dr. GIROIR. I took care of children who suffered and died of vaccine-preventable diseases including measles and whooping cough. I 

have also seen diseases disappear because of vaccines like H. 

influenzae B. 

There will be no stronger advocate for vaccines than I will be, 

but I also think we need to continue to support the FDA in monitoring vaccine safety so we can give honest and transparent assurance to the population that vaccines will remain safe in the future. 

Senator HASSAN. I appreciate that very much. 

To the other nominees, I do have some questions that I will submit for the record. 

Dr. Giroir, to your last answer, I am the granddaughter of a pediatrician who started practicing in 1921. He could talk a lot about 

what it was like before penicillin and vaccines. I am very grateful 

for your work. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Hassan. 

Senator Whitehouse. 

Senator WHITEHOUSE. Thank you, Chairman. 

Welcome to all of you. 

Dr. Kadlec, I particularly look forward to working with you, and 

I want to thank you for the terrific work you have already done to 

try to make sure our country is prepared for bioterror threats. I 

want to recognize Senator Burr and Senator Casey, who have been 

really good bipartisan leaders in that. I know that there is work 

to be done. I look forward to working with you on that. 

Dr. McCance-Katz, welcome. Great to have a Rhode Islander 

here. 

We have recently passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. We, shortly after the passage of that, agreed on a billion dollars that would be put through to fund and support for 

opioid treatment and intervention. 

The first half billion went through already and the States are in 

the process of distributing that. We hope very much that the second half will move in September when we have our next piece of 

funding legislation. When we do, I hope that you will consider 

working within the Administration to see to it that those funds are 

distributed in some manner consistent with the new goals and 

principles of CARA. 

I do not think we are going to be able to direct the funding to 

be consistent with CARA through appropriations. But, I do believe 

that HHS has the authority to say that grant applications will be 

considered based on how well they align with CARA’s principles, 

and I hope that you would support an Administration effort to 

align on that point. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes, I do. 

Senator WHITEHOUSE. Good. 

Dr. Adams, welcome. We had a great conversation in my office 

and I wanted to followup on it because I think one of the areas 

where we have enormous bipartisan potential here is in that very 

delicate, tender, and important period when a person is nearing the 

end of their life and has to make decisions about how much treatment they wish to undergo versus how much time they want to 

spend with their families, and how much comfort care versus intervention they will choose. 

What many of us have seen as circumstances in which, like getting your sleeve caught in the machinery, unintendedly you are 

dragged off and before you know it, the healthcare system is doing 

lots of things to you that you did not want. 

Because the expression of your views was not either timely, or 

complete, or filled every box, very often people are taken on very 

unpleasant journeys at a time when, really as human to human, 

the last thing we can do for people is to honor their wishes on their 

way out. I think, by and large, we do a terrible job of doing that. 

To that end, Senator Collins has really showed a lot of passion 

and leadership in the Aging Committee. Senator Isakson has been 

outstanding on this. We have a huge group called C-TAC, the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, which is truly a who’s who of 

the American corporate and interest group power structure. 

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Faith communities are gathering around this issue all around 

the country. I want to particularly commend the Dioceses in my 

home State. Everywhere you go, you hear from regular folks who 

have come across this problem and remember tragedies in their 

family. 

There is a big opportunity here and I wanted to ask you to consider having it be one of the ‘‘bully pulpit sermons’’ of your tenure 

as Surgeon General to help catalyze that enormous potential to 

help Americans get the care that they want. If it is a lot of care, 

great; get a lot of it. If it is not, get the care that you want and 

get your promises and your wishes honored at that time. 

I think we can help with that and I hope that you can help us 

with that. 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you, Senator. I really appreciate you saying 

that. 

One of my priorities is prevention and I can tell you as a physician, the absolutely worst and wrong time to be having a discussion 

with someone about their end of life wishes is when they have a 

tube in their mouth, and they are on a ventilator, and they cannot 

communicate. 

You are correct. We consistently fail our citizens in this regard 

and there are best practices out there. In Indiana, we led the way 

with physician orders for scope of treatment. You all have similar 

forms in your States. 

Senator WHITEHOUSE. We have in Rhode Island and Gunderson 

Lutheran does a great job up in Wisconsin. There is a lot of good 

leadership. 

Dr. ADAMS. Exactly. I think partnering with the faith-based community is ever so important; the hospital associations in our States 

and nationally; the medical associations, the AMA, and the Indiana 

State Medical Association in our State. 

In other States, I think we can bring together stakeholders and 

go after some low hanging fruit here, and help people reach the 

end of life with dignity. Ultimately die according to their wishes 

and not according to a doctor or a medical professional doing something that they would not otherwise want. 

Senator WHITEHOUSE. Thank you very much. My time is up. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thanks, Senator Whitehouse. 

Senator Casey. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR CASEY

Senator CASEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I want to start by saying how much we appreciate what Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray agreed to with regard to bipartisan hearings before we started today. I was not here 

for the announcement, but know of the substance of it, and I think 

the country is grateful to hear that news, and we are appreciative 

of that. 

I want to thank Senator Collins for her reference to our grandfamilies bill. Mr. Robertson, we are grateful for your words about 

that as well. 

Dr. Giroir, I wanted to start with a little known part of the Affordable Care Act that I fought hard to make sure was part of the 

law. It is called the Pregnancy Assistance Fund which was both auHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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thorized and had an appropriation attached to it in the bill for 10 

years, $250 million over 10 years. To provide support, in this case, 

in the form of competitive grants to States and to tribes, a few 

tribes across the country, in addition to States to provide a seamless network of supportive services to young families. 

Since 2010, the Office of Adolescent Health has awarded these 

grants to 27 States and 4 Tribes to improve the educational health, 

social, and economic outcomes for expectant and parenting teens, 

young women, fathers, and their families. 

It has been funded in a multiyear fashion in the three previous 

times that the grantees have been awarded money. The programs 

are already making a difference since the time it has been implemented. 

Folks who participate are more likely to complete high school, 

even with a pregnancy. More likely go to higher education and less 

likely to have a repeat unwanted pregnancy. 

I was surprised to learn that this fund—the Pregnancy Assistance Fund—which recently the announcement was for 15 States 

getting the grants and one tribal entity, but now it has been proposed as a 1-year grant. 

It is puzzling since Congress had provided funding through fiscal 

year 2019 starting in 2010. The funding opportunity announcement 

indicated that funding would be for 3 years. 

I guess my question on this is, do you agree that it is unusual 

to provide a 1-year grant when Congress has provided funding 

through 2019 and the funding opportunity announcement was listed as 3 years? Do you have any sense of that or do you think that 

makes sense? 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you for that question. 

I am certainly aware of the Pregnancy Assistant Fund and I 

think we can all agree that the goals of providing assistance to 

pregnancy that could be troubled both physically or having longterm effects is absolutely something critical that we need to focus 

on. 

I would certainly hope that aside from the very important, but 

relatively limited scope of this program, that this type of program 

would be available across the country because everyone understands that the prevention of problems, as you have heard, are 

much more important. I cannot comment on whether it is usual or 

unusual because I have not been involved in this specific decision. 

It is something I would certainly look at. 

One thing of concern is that many research programs where you 

are gathering data, may have multiple years in order to have validity of the data independent of whether they are servicing the patients or not. 

It is something I know. I know the principles of the program are 

very important and should be throughout the healthcare system. It 

is something I would look at once, if I were confirmed, because I 

do not have firsthand knowledge of what was the decision tree to 

shorten that program and the grants. 

Senator CASEY. I would also ask, Doctor, your commitment to 

continuing the program and especially continuing it as a multiyear 

program. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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Dr. GIROIR. At this point, because I have not been involved in 

discussions, you certainly have my commitment that this area is 

extremely important, and I understand the value of it, and will 

argue for such programs to be scaled, and they should be across the 

country. 

I am not in a position to commit to support this program as this 

program, in and of itself, until I really get within HHS and have 

discussions. We have not been able to have those kinds of discussions about the rationale, whether this is being moved into a different program or under another auspice, but you have my commitment to give it high priority. 

As a pediatrician, this area of work is very high priority for me 

and you also have my commitment that I understand the importance of this type of program. 

Senator CASEY. Thank you, and we will followup. 

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thanks, Senator Casey, and thank you for your 

comments. 

Senator Baldwin. 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR BALDWIN

Senator BALDWIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ranking Member Murray. 

I also want to appreciate and recognize the opening statements 

regarding our path forward on the things that we need to do in our 

healthcare system. I welcome the opportunity for hearings and 

input. I welcome the opportunity to work across the party aisle. 

I hope you will give us assignments before the end of the week. 

I do not want to wait until the first week in September, but I want 

you to know that I stand ready to do my part to work with you to 

find solutions that stabilize our insurance markets, that lower 

health costs, and improve coverage for our constituents. Thank you 

both for setting that tone and direction. 

I am going to follow the suit of most of my colleagues in talking 

about the opioid, and heroin, and now fentanyl epidemic across this 

country and in my State. 

I hosted a large number of roundtables and stakeholder meetings 

across the State in urban, and suburban, and rural settings to 

learn as much as I can. As we have discussed, there are several 

measures and steps that Congress has taken that I am proud of, 

and yet the crisis grows worse. I have several questions on this. 

I met recently with a constituent, Jesse Heffernan, of Appleton, 

WI. He is in long-term substance use and mental health recovery 

since 2001. His experience inspired him to start something called 

the Recovery Corps Program. It is modeled after AmeriCorps and 

the idea is to integrate recovery coaches into the entire substance 

use disorder care spectrum. He recently received some funding to 

pilot his program with a Wisconsin health system. 

I heard the exchange, Dr. McCance-Katz, with Senator Cassidy 

about expansion of the very limited resources we have and how we 

really need to do that. To improve clinical treatment, we have to 

do more to break down silos also. 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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How would you expand and prioritize local efforts to integrate 

peer support and recovery services into the substance use disorder 

spectrum? 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Thank you, Senator Baldwin, for that question. 

There are a number of programs now that train peers. They are 

peer professionals and they are being integrated into treatment 

programs across the country. There are many demonstration programs of that at this point. What we can do at a Federal level is 

to help disseminate what those programs look like. 

I believe that every State is different, every community is different. States know best what their communities need. What they 

need is access to the information as to how to establish these kinds 

of programs. 

I personally believe that peers are really an essential part of recovery just as important as treatment. 

Senator BALDWIN. I was glad to hear you reference that in your 

opening statement. We had a chance to talk about that. 

Dr. MCCANCE-KATZ. Yes. 

Senator BALDWIN. I want to move onto a question for Dr. Adams. 

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit a V.A. Medical 

center in my State at Tomah, WI. Sadly, a few years back, Tomah 

had been an outlier with regard to over-prescribing opioids. Working with colleagues in the Senate, I authored and we passed the 

Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act. 

Actually, I toured and got reporting on the implementation of 

this Act. The facility has significantly reduced its reliance on 

opioids in treating pain and provided hopeful alternatives to the 

veterans they serve. 

It tells me that one of the keys to fighting our opioid epidemic 

is the engagement of prescribers and health professionals, retraining to the latest guidelines of the CDC. 

Your role provides a real platform to do that, and I would ask 

you how you would see your leadership in that regard? 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you, Senator, very much. 

I want to, first of all, say thank you for your courage and your 

leadership. As someone who has often been the only minority in 

the room, I really sincerely appreciate what you have accomplished 

and what you have done. For those who may be watching and you 

do not know, Senator Baldwin is the first openly gay Senator. 

Growing up as the only one in the room, I know how it feels. 

To your point, or to your question, I think the Surgeon General’s 

position has a tremendous opportunity to bring folks together. I 

have done it, not just as surgeon general, not even just as Indiana’s 

State Health Commission, but as a physician. As a leader in the 

American Medical Association partnering with the Hospital Association, partnering with other entities to try to bring the right folks 

together to make sure we are educating people. 

As an anesthesiologist, a physician anesthesiologist, I teach people every day about proper prescribing and the dangers of over-prescribing. One of my clinical focuses is on alternatives to opioid pain 

management. 

I think we need to look at how we are paying for different modalities to make sure the easy choice is also the right choice. Far too 

HELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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often, the easy choice is just to give out 60 Vicodin. We need to 

make the right choice the easy choice for physicians. 

I intend to go out to communities, to medical schools, to dental 

schools, to nursing schools because we cannot forget the prescribing 

community is more than just physicians and partner with all the 

folks who are part of this chain. It is not just one group that we 

want to point our finger at, but we all are part of this problem. 

I apologized, when I came before the committee on aging, to all 

the committee for the part that I and my colleagues played in the 

opioid epidemic. I go around telling folks, ‘‘I do not care if you are 

1 percent responsible or 99 percent responsible, what I care about 

is what you bring to the table in terms of a solution.’’ Hospitals, 

providers, legislators all can play a part in this solution. 

I look forward to the opportunity, if confirmed, to being a convener, to bring those folks together. 

Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Baldwin. 

I think some Senators may have additional questions. 

Senator Murray. 

Senator MURRAY. I just have one additional, Dr. Kadlec. I did not 

want you to get off free here. 

Dr. KADLEC. Thanks for noticing, ma’am. 

Senator MURRAY. As a staffer to Senator Burr, I know that you 

played a key role in drafting the Pandemic and All-Hazards Protections Act, which critically addressed both domestic and international public health preparedness capacity and capability. We 

have often seen this tested in recent years. 

I was really concerned when I saw the President’s 2018 budget 

request, which proposed significant cuts to CDC’s public health 

emergency preparedness grants to health departments and to the 

Hospital Preparedness Program, which you would oversee if you 

are confirmed. 

The 2018 request proposes eliminating hospital preparedness 

funding from 26 jurisdictions including my home State of Washington. 

Do you agree with the proposed cuts to those programs? 

Dr. KADLEC. Ma’am, I was not part of those discussions or deliberations, so I cannot give you color commentary to what may have 

happened or what was represented there. 

I can only assure you one thing, that I will be an advocate for 

these programs and I will fight very hard to basically represent 

them in the policy halls in HHS with Secretary Price and the 

White House when the time comes. 

I have done it before in OMB, and I have done it before in the 

White House, and I certainly have not had the chance in HHS yet, 

but I am looking forward to it, if confirmed. 

I do have to tell you this, ma’am, is that we do have to do some 

things, as raised by the Chairman, in terms of creating certainty 

around funding for some of these programs. As is for the health insurance programs, the same are required for preparedness, whether it is for public health preparedness, hospital preparedness, or for 

the development of countermeasures. 

That kind of certainty is required to ensure that the State and 

local authorities—the private sector can do the things that they 

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42 

need to do to ensure that, God forbid, when these things happen, 

and they will as you know, ma’am, that we can do that. 

The only assurance I can give you right here, right now is that 

if you support me, I am going to be a fighter for these things. I 

know that States like yours have often led the way on these issues, 

and I am certainly respectful of that. Also will commit to the idea 

of, again, advocating for the programs and for your constituents on 

these issues. 

Senator MURRAY. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate 

that. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Warren, did you have additional comments? 

Senator WARREN. I do, but I yield to Senator Hassan? 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Hassan, do you have additional? 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Warren. 

To the Chair and Ranking Member, also, count me in. Obviously, 

I think all of us are eager to work on a bipartisan process on 

healthcare and we are very, very grateful for your leadership to 

both of you. 

Dr. Kadlec, I do not have a question for you, but as a former 

Governor, I can tell you I am right there with you on the importance of preparedness, and certainty, and funding for preparedness. 

You have an ally here and I look forward to that work. 

Dr. KADLEC. Thank you, ma’am. 

Senator HASSAN. Dr. Adams, I wanted to explore another area 

with you. 

Last year, the former Surgeon General issued a report concluding 

that the use of electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, pose a 

risk to Americans particularly to our youth and our young adults. 

The Surgeon General’s report called for action to reduce e-cigarette use among young people, including actions by Federal, State, 

and local governments. 

Just last week, though, the FDA announced it would delay what 

is called the deeming rule to review products like e-cigarettes that 

are on the market. Under the deeming rule, FDA could take into 

account, for instance, the impact of e-cigarette flavors like cotton 

candy and bubblegum on the product’s appeal to youth. It is an important tool that the FDA has to protect children and the public 

health. 

I am worried that delaying the deeming rule is contradictory to 

what the 2016 Surgeon General’s report called for. 

Do you agree? 

Dr. ADAMS. I was not privy to the discussion within the FDA, 

Senator, but I do thank you for the question. It is an important 

one. 

Decreasing the number of people who are consuming both 

tobacco- and nicotine-related products is of utmost importance from 

a public health point of view. 

I think it is important that we distinguish between never smokers and current smokers. There is actually a debate going on in the 

public health community worldwide about the benefits of e-cigarettes and vaping, and I think it is because people are confusing 

the two. 

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Senator HASSAN. Just because we are constrained for time, I 

think this, though, is very specific. Because when you think about 

it—while we can talk about the value or not of e-cigarettes and 

vaping for somebody who might be trying to quit the nicotine habit 

with regular cigarettes—this is about flavoring e-cigarettes in a 

way that will get young people hooked on the habit in one form or 

another to begin with. 

Can we agree that that is harmful? 

Dr. ADAMS. We can absolutely agree and I want to do everything 

possible to prevent young people from starting down the pathway 

of nicotine addiction. I commit to working with you and, if confirmed, with the FDA to make sure we do that. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. 

Here is a question for both Dr. Adams and Dr. Giroir. It goes 

back to one of the other mentions of this that, I think, Senator 

Murray made. 

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health directs the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. On June 16, 2017 six members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS announced 

their resignation in ‘‘Newsweek’’. 

Here is what they said. Here are the quotes. 

‘‘The Trump Administration has no strategy to address the 

ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero input from experts to 

formulate HIV policy. And most concerning, pushes legislation 

that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse important gains made in the fight against this disease.’’ 

They also said that they could not effectively fight HIV/AIDS, 

and this is their quote, ‘‘Within the confines of an advisory body 

to a President who simply does not care.’’ 

Further, there is also not yet a director of the White House Office 

of National AIDS Policy. 

Dr. Giroir and Dr. Adams, I am interested on your thoughts 

about how you would address the concerns expressed by these advisory council members and what you see as your role in making 

sure that we are confronting and having a robust HIV/AIDS policy 

and program in this country that can help people living with the 

disease. 

Why do I not start with Dr. Giroir? 

Dr. GIROIR. Thank you for that question. 

I read that in the papers as well and I took it quite personally. 

I took it personally because much of the complaint was because of 

a lack of leadership in the office. This office is under the office of 

the Assistant Secretary for Health. 

Senator HASSAN. Right. 

Dr. GIROIR. I remain in waiting, if confirmed, for that position. 

Senator HASSAN. Sure. 

Dr. GIROIR. One of the first things I will do will be to speak with 

those individuals to assure them that there is a national HIV strategy. I have not discussed it within the office, but it is a very robust 

one. There has been tremendous gains. 

I am absolutely committed to moving forward with those gains, 

as well as the other important viral diseases that are under that 

office’s purview. Many of you have spoken to me about Hepatitis 

C. 

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Senator HASSAN. Sure. 

Dr. GIROIR. A very important disease with millions affected and 

millions still left untreated, even though there is a potential cure 

for it. 

All I can say, if fortunate enough to be confirmed, is that office 

will have all the attention that I can give it. We will look very critically at the advisory committee to make sure that it is appropriately staffed so that we get a diversity of opinions grounded in 

science to move the successes we have had with HIV even further. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. 

I know I am out of time, but perhaps, Dr. Adams, if you could 

just address it. 

Dr. ADAMS. Mr. Chairman, if you do not mind. 

Senator HASSAN. I am out of time, but I would ask the question 

of both Dr. Adams and Dr. Giroir. 

The CHAIRMAN. If we do a third round, you can. 

Senator HASSAN. Perfect. Yes, that is fine. 

The CHAIRMAN. Let us let the other Senators have their 5 minutes. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. For Senators’ knowledge, we have two votes at 

5 p.m. 

Senator Warren. 

Senator WARREN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I want to continue our focus on the opioid. Last year, more than 

2,000 people died in Massachusetts alone. This is powerfully important to me, and to the people I represent, and to everybody who 

sits on this committee, and I think in the United States Senate. 

Dr. Adams, as Indiana Health Commissioner, you saw the epidemic up close when you dealt with the HIV outbreak in Scott 

County, IN. There has been a lot of discussion about that today, 

several references to your work there. 

You established a syringe exchange program, which was illegal 

in Indiana at the time when you first recommended it. The consequence is that you helped save lives and helped contain that outbreak. I just want to ask you a question, Dr. Adams. 

Why did you press for such a program even though it was controversial and, in some quarters, politically unpopular? 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you so much for the opportunity to answer 

that question. 

I pressed for it because it was the right thing to do. It was the 

scientifically sound thing to do. It was what I felt was necessary 

to save lives and stop disease transmission. As I mentioned earlier, 

I also recognized that the knowledge base oftentimes is not enough 

and that we had to partner. 

The most important thing, as I mentioned earlier, that the Governor and I did was to go down to Scott County and talk to folks. 

I do not want to take up your time, but I do want to say very 

quickly. Ask yourself if I said to you, ‘‘I am going to open up a syringe exchange program across the street from where you live.’’ The 

first thing you are going to say is, ‘‘Oh, no. You are not.’’ Then you 

are going to say, ‘‘Come down and explain to me why this is necessary.’’ 

Senator WARREN. Right. 

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Dr. ADAMS. Partnerships are critical. The science has to be there, 

but it has to be given in a sympathetic and empathetic way. 

Senator WARREN. The way I read this, your response, is you said 

you are willing to do something that is innovative, data-based even 

if it turns out to be politically controversial. 

Dr. ADAMS. I feel a trap coming, Senator. 

Senator WARREN. No, no. 

[Laughter.] 

No, we can be friends here, Dr. Adams. 

Dr. ADAMS. We are friends. 

Senator WARREN. Good, good. 

Here is what I am going to ask you. Are you aware that the 

American Medical Association recently endorsed developing pilot 

facilities where people who use their own drugs can do so safely 

under medical supervision? 

Dr. ADAMS. I am. I was there when they debated it. 

Senator WARREN. What is your view on that? 

Dr. ADAMS. My view on that is that the science is not quite there 

to the extent that it is for syringe exchange programs, but we have 

two natural pilot programs, one in Massachusetts and, I believe, 

one in Seattle and I look forward to carefully reviewing the data. 

Even if we do have compelling data, just as I said with syringe 

exchange programs, we still have to come back to local control and 

local conversations. 

Senator WARREN. Reviewing the data, and studying it, and perhaps expanding the studies of supervised injection facilities as a 

public health tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic. 

Dr. ADAMS. I think it is one of many tools that should be considered in the tool chest and communities need to be leading that conversation about whether it is right for their community. 

Senator WARREN. We need a Surgeon General who is also going 

to lead that conversation. 

Dr. ADAMS. I would love that conversation across the country and 

quite frankly, across the world because of the unfortunate HIV outbreak that occurred in Scott County. 

Senator WARREN. Thank you, Dr. Adams. 

You were right. I hope that we very much are friends because 

you are an evidence-based, committed physician even if it is politically unpopular. I think that is what we need right now in addressing the opioid crisis. 

We truly do need all hands on deck whether they are politically 

acceptable or not politically acceptable. We have got to do what the 

evidence tells us may have an effect. We study it, we find out, and 

then we follow through. I think that is powerfully important and 

that is what I want to see in a Surgeon General. 

Thank you, Dr. Adams. 

I will be submitting other questions for the record. 

I am going to yield back my time, Mr. Chairman. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Warren, that is the second time you 

have done that today. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator WARREN. Well, you know. 

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The CHAIRMAN. I commend you as a succinct professor, as a terrific addition to the committee. I admire Dr. Adams for seeing 

where you were going too. 

I have a couple of questions. 

Dr. Giroir, I talked with you earlier, and with Secretary Price, 

and with Secretary Perry, and Seema Verma about using the Government’s super computers to identify waste, fraud, and abuse 

which seemed like a no-brainer. 

There was basically a pilot program done at CMS in the Obama 

administration—which if we began to look for waste, fraud, and 

abuse using the same techniques that we used to look for terrorists 

in a needle in a haystack sort of search—that we might get some 

good results. According to ‘‘The Economist,’’ as much as $272 billion across the 

entire health system is swindled each year and some, 

‘‘Criminals are switching from cocaine trafficking to prescription drug fraud because the risk-adjusted rewards are higher, 

the money is still good, the work safer, and the penalties lighter.’’ 

Are you willing to try to take another look at using our super 

computers and our data at CMS to identify waste, fraud, and abuse 

in the system? 

Dr. GIROIR. Mr. Chairman, thank you for that question. 

I think it opens an even broader discussion—in that I was in the 

Department of Defense for a period of time. We worked very closely 

with DOE. We have to break down the silos between the tremendous capabilities we have among our Government agencies. The 

Department of Energy has super computers, not only super computers but the world’s best expertise on how to program and ask 

questions. 

What can be done by collaborating with the Department of Energy for CMS, for the V.A. health system, for understanding risk 

behaviors and outcomes cannot be understated. This is something, 

certainly, I want to do and want to promote, which is the work 

among the interagency. 

I actually spent quite a period of time talking to national leaders 

on the science side in the Department of Energy, and what they 

told me was quite surprising to me. Not only do they want to work 

on health problems, not just this problem of fraud and abuse, but 

on health problems. The complexities of the health problems that 

they have to deal with are making them more capable of dealing 

with their primary missions of nuclear security. 

This is a win-win across the board. 

The CHAIRMAN. Yes, I would hope. 

I would imagine that the pushback from CMS will be, ‘‘These 

computer people do not know enough about healthcare.’’ That is 

true, but they can learn it. They can learn enough. To find criminals in the haystack stealing money that could be better spent caring for people, just as they have learned how to use computers to 

catch terrorists who might be trying to blow us up. 

Dr. GIROIR. I have not spoken to CMS, but I think you are exactly correct. 

The CHAIRMAN. Will you pursue this? 

Dr. GIROIR. I absolutely will pursue it. 

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The CHAIRMAN. You have at least two cabinet members and Senator Blunt and I are very interested in this. Seema Verma seems 

interested. She has had other things to do the last few weeks. 

Dr. GIROIR. We have to understand that the tools of mathematics 

and big data analysis cross all disciplines. 

The CHAIRMAN. Good. 

Dr. Kadlec, I want to give you a chance. We talked about how 

the primary purpose of ASPR is to lead the public health emergency preparedness and response. The question Senator Burr often 

says here, ‘‘who is in charge?’’ 

What are you going to do about the ‘‘who is in charge?’’ question 

when it comes to a public health emergency? 

Dr. KADLEC. Sir, I would just simply say, if confirmed, I would 

be in charge for clarity, No. 1. 

No. 2, it is really important to work with my colleagues. 

The CHAIRMAN. Do you have an understanding with others, who 

think they might be in charge, that you are in charge? 

Dr. KADLEC. Sir, I think that is an issue that is set with Secretary Price right from the get go. 

The CHAIRMAN. Yes. 

Dr. KADLEC. As I see it. 

The CHAIRMAN. I agree with you about that. 

Hyman Rickover, we have never had anyone die from a nuclear 

reactor on a submarine or the ships since Rickover started it in the 

1950s, and it is because he told the captains in his interview that, 

‘‘You have two responsibilities. One is the ship, one is the reactor, 

and if anything happens with the reactor, your career is over.’’ 

There have been a lot of good careers and there has never been a 

death as the result of a reactor. 

Who is on the flagpole makes a difference. 

Dr. KADLEC. Yes, sir. It does. Sir, I would consider myself to be 

that, but it takes more than one person to make this work. 

Clearly people like Dr. Fitzgerald at the CDC, folks at the FDA, 

clearly these colleagues here are all going to have something to add 

and collaborate with on these issues particularly Dr. Giroir and Dr. 

Adams. 

My interest is really building a team, or to help build a team, 

under Secretary Price to kind of do the things 24-7-365 that nobody 

else really has the bandwidth to do honestly on a day-to-day activity unless something bad happens. 

My job is to think of those bad things and work with a tremendous group of people at ASPR right now and kind of do the arduous, predictive work that has to be done well in advance of a crisis 

to ensure we have the means. 

Sir, I will end my comments with a caution—which is one that 

General Schoomaker, former Chief of Staff of the Army and former 

Commander of Special Operations Command often used—which 

was, ‘‘Do not confuse enthusiasm with capability.’’ 

The one thing I need, sir, to give you confidence in and for Senator Murray as well, and your other members here, and Secretary 

Price, is that we have the capabilities. Job one for me—first, when 

I hit the ground—is really to evaluate, kick the tires on the capabilities that we have and to see if they are sufficient to deal with 

the likely crises we may encounter. 

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To Senator Murray’s point, funding will always be important. 

Right now, we spend about two-thirds of what we spend on a single 

aircraft carrier for preparedness and response. That imagery is 

kind of important to me because you do not get very far on twothirds of an aircraft carrier. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Dr. Kadlec. I let the time run over, 

but that is both my rounds of questions. 

Dr. KADLEC. Thank you, sir. 

The CHAIRMAN. I have remarks from Senator Burr who could not 

be here today, expressing his support for Dr. Robert Kadlec’s nomination for Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. 

I ask for consent for his remarks to be submitted for the record, 

and they will be introduced. 

[The information referred to may be found in Additional Material.] 

The CHAIRMAN. I also ask consent to introduce 43 letters of support for Mr. Lance Robertson, 8 for Dr. Brett Giroir, 2 for Dr. 

Kadlec, 25 for Dr. McCance-Katz, and 10 for Dr. Jerome Adams 

into the record, and they will be introduced. 

[The information referred to may be found in Additional Material.] 

Are there other questions before we conclude? 

Senator Hassan. 

Senator HASSAN. Perhaps we could just let Dr. Adams speak to 

the earlier question about HIV and AIDS policy and then I am all 

set. 

The CHAIRMAN. Sure. Dr. Adams. 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you for the question. 

I very quickly and briefly will say, I oversaw the response to the 

largest HIV outbreak related to injection drug use in the history 

of the United States as declared by CDC Director Tom Frieden. I 

am supported by the Damien Center, which is the largest provider 

of HIV care in the State of Indiana. There is a letter of endorsement from them. 

The best thing that you can do to help improve what some people 

perceive as a lack of direction in regards to HIV care is to confirm 

this panel, including Dr. Giroir and I, so that we can get to work. 

Senator HASSAN. Thank you very much. 

Dr. ADAMS. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Hassan. 

Senator MURRAY. Mr. Chairman, could I—— 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Murray. 

Senator MURRAY [continuing]. Could I just say? 

I know there may be some additional questions and due to the 

uncertainty and timing on when we are voting on these, I would 

just ask all the nominees to respond. If we could work out a time 

that we could make sure that we get answers back to those questions. 

The CHAIRMAN. It might be hard to do it by tomorrow. 

Senator MURRAY. I totally understand that. 

The CHAIRMAN. We will work it out. 

Senator MURRAY. We will work it out. 

The CHAIRMAN. Yes, that is the way we will do that. 

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49 

First, let me thank each of you for being here and congratulate 

you on your nominations. 

If you are confirmed, this will complete Senate approval of all of 

the Assistant Secretary positions in the Department of Health and 

Human Services in the Trump administration. There will be a full 

team ready to go to work as far as we are concerned. 

We have talked a lot today about implementing laws. We have 

been pretty busy the last couple of years in this committee on mental health, on 21st Century Cures, on electronic healthcare records, 

a whole variety of health-related issues. 

We know the laws are not worth anything unless they are implemented properly, so we hope and expect that if Senators ask questions—I had a little discussion with Senator Warren about this the 

other day involving another department—if Senators ask questions, 

we would like for you to answer them. 

If you feel you cannot, or the question is unreasonable, well then, 

I would call the Senator and say, ‘‘Look. I got this from your office. 

Maybe somebody is writing letters under your name,’’ or something 

like that. 

[Laughter.] 

Do not ignore the question. It is perfectly understandable if you 

cannot answer a question for some reason. Why, just call the Senator and say, ‘‘Here is my problem,’’ and discuss it with that person 

because it is important for us to be able to communicate with you. 

It fills all the Assistant Secretary positions under our jurisdiction, maybe I did not say it that way, but that is what I meant. 

If there are any other Assistant Secretaries who are not confirmed, it is not our fault. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator Murray has agreed that we can go ahead with the mark 

up tomorrow, and then hopefully, you might be confirmed, and in 

your jobs soon thereafter. 

Senators who wish to ask additional questions of the nominees, 

questions for the record, are due at a time that Senator Murray 

and I will agree on. 

For all other matters, the hearing record will remain open for 10 

days. Members may submit additional information for the record 

within that time. 

We will meet again, tomorrow, at a time convenient for Senators 

for an executive session to consider these nominations and additional nominations up for consideration. 

Thank you for being here today. 

The committee stands adjourned. 

[Additional Material follows.] 

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ADDITIONAL MATERIAL 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF SENATOR BURR

Mr. Chairman, when Senator Ted Kennedy and I designed the 

role of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response 

(ASPR) under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, we 

envisioned an official solely focused on the singular 24/7 mission of 

making sure we are prepared for the public health threats we may 

face, whether naturally occurring like Ebola and H1N1, or the result of a deliberate attack on our country. The role of the ASPR 

was designed to answer the simple and critical question: Who is in 

charge? It is critical for the individual serving as the ASPR to recognize this singular focus, and execute the role of the ASPR with 

a daily vigilance. We cannot wait until a threat is upon us to respond, and the ASPR serves to prepare for and respond to these 

threats in order to save American lives. Put simply, Dr. Robert 

Kadlec is well-prepared for and well-suited to fulfill every aspect of 

this role. 

Dr. Kadlec brings with him a deep and thorough understanding 

of the role served by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 

Response at the Department of Health and Human Services. He 

has had the opportunity to serve in numerous biosecurity, intelligence, and policy positions that will inform his work as the ASPR. 

Notably, he has served under President Bush as an advisor on the 

Homeland Security Council and on my staff in the Senate Select 

Committee on Intelligence. His years of honorable service show his 

dedication to country and his work in the White House, military 

service, and leadership of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence have helped to shape and grow his unique understanding 

of the threats faced by our country. Each of the steps he has taken 

throughout his noteworthy career will be valuable assets should he 

be confirmed as the next ASPR, and each of the goals he outlines 

in his statement are consistent with the vision Senator Kennedy 

and I worked to get signed into law over a decade ago. 

The first goal Dr. Kadlec mentions is providing strong leadership 

and clear direction. While the statute clearly defines who is in 

charge during a public health emergency, there have been multiple 

instances in recent public health crises where the coordination and 

communication roles of the ASPR were not operationalized effectively. I am pleased that this is his first priority and goal, and I 

am confident that Dr. Kadlec will bring to the role of ASPR the 

dedication, vigilance, and urgency it requires. 

Further, another critical role of the ASPR is to oversee the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), 

which brings forward medical countermeasures to prevent and respond to emerging infectious disease outbreaks and other chemical, 

biological, radiological and nuclear threats. 

Bringing these medical countermeasures through the research, 

development, approval, and procurement processes is a long, difficult, and often risky task for manufacturers and innovators in 

this space. In order to realize the full potential of the medical countermeasure enterprise in our country, we must ensure that the 

Federal Government is sending a clear signal that we are a goodfaith and willing partner in this endeavor. Dr. Kadlec has the firstHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

51 

hand knowledge necessary to achieve this goal, and will provide industry the confidence needed to invest in much-needed medical 

countermeasures to address the threats facing our Nation today 

and tomorrow. 

Ultimately, the ASPR must properly coordinate and communicate with other officials throughout the Administration and manage all of the tools at our disposal to effectively and efficiently prepare for and, if necessary, respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. This will only grow more challenging in 

the years to come and Dr. Kadlec is uniquely prepared for this 

challenge. I urge each of my colleagues to support Dr. Kadlec’s 

nomination. He is the right person to serve as the next Assistant 

Secretary for Preparedness and Response. I thank the Chair. 

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LETTERS OF SUPPORT

LANCE ROBERTSON

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STATE 

DEPARTMENT ON 

AGING 

- Growing Older 

June 6, 2017 

Senator Christopher Murphy 

One Constitution Plaza, 7'' Fl 

Hartford, CT 06103 

Dear Senator Murphy, 

55 Farmington Avenue 

Hartford, CT 06105 

Telephone: (860) 424·5274 

Toll Free: 1·866·218·6631 

Website: www.ctgov/aging 

Email: aging.sda@ct.gov 

I write in support of the nomination of Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and 

Administrator of the Administration of Community Living at the United States Department of Health and Human 

Services. 

I am pleased that the nomination for this position has gone to someone with such extensive experience in the 

aging and disability network. lance has served as the Director of Aging Services in Oklahoma's Department of 

Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently the second·longest tenured state director in the nation. 

During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he has been a strong advocate for the OAA, for improved LTSS 

delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs of individuals served by the aging and disability networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality improvement 

initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching of the National Core 

Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability 

communlty~based organizations. 

In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also has an extensive 

and distinguished history in the military. lance spent nearly a decade in the US Army and Army Reserves, 

accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. In addition, please note that 

Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, providing direction and support 

to various aging programs as well as education, training, and mentorship to individuals entering the field of 

aging services. 

I've worked directly with lance in my current capacity, and I encourage the committee to move towards a swift 

confirmation. lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state and federal 

partners and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly valuable in the ACl 

Administrator position. I look forward to partnering with Mr. Robertson in his new role. 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth B. Ritter, Commissioner 
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A R K A N S A S 

DIPARJMENJ OF 

Division of Aging 

and Adult Services 

~7HUMAN l SERVICES P.O. Box 1437, Slot S-530 · Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 

501-682-2441 ·Fax: 501-682-8155 ·TOO: 501-662-2443 

Senator Lamar Alexander 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander, 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him an excellent 

choice for this significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our 

nations' most vulnerable population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in addressing 

the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary on Aging, 

through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is able to help 

our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs offered by the 

Aging Network in Arkansas, 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our parents, 

grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging 

and, thank you for all you do in serving Arkansas and our nation. 

Sincerely, 

Pp,H.CA/ 

Craig Cloud 

Division of Aging and Adult Services Director 

Director of Regional Area Agencies on Aging Network 

Arkansas Department of Human Services 

craig.cloud@dhs.arkansas.gov 
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July 5, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

United States Senator 

Chairman, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

Dear Chairman Alexander, 

Please accept this letter of support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Being a Veteran himself, Lance is an excellent choice 

for this significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our nations' 

most vulnerable populations as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is able to help our 

elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs offered by the Aging 

Network in our state. 

Please support the nomination of lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. By quickly confirming him, Lance can begin to provide direction and leadership of the 

Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our parents, 

grandparents, friends, and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you in advance for your support and confirmation of lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary 

on Aging and thank you for all you do through your service to our state and our nation. 

Sincerely, 

Connie E. Beran, M.S. 

Gerontologist 
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Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

June 07, 2017 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

On behalf of Country Style Health Care, Inc. IV, I am writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration of Community Living at the 

United States Department of Health and Human Services. Country Style Health Care, Inc. IV has provided Case 

Management and Home Care services for the Oklahoma Advantage Waiver and State Plan Personal Care Program 

since 1999. We are a small, family-owned business that works hard to provide care to our Members. We believe 

Mr. Robertson truly cares for meeting the needs of our Members and understands that coordination with Service 

Providers is key. He has always been available to the Provider community and worked diligently to improve 

standards in Oklahoma. 

We are pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone with such extensive 

experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served as the Director of Aging Services in Oklahoma's 

Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently the second-longest tenured state director in 

the nation. During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he has been a strong advocate for the OAA, for improved 

LTSS delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs of individuals served by the aging and disability 

networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality improvement 

initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching of the National Core 

Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability 

community-based organizations. 

In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also has an extensive 

and distinguished history in the military. Lance spent nearly a decade in the US Army and Army Reserves, 

accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. Lastly, we note that Lance's 

experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, providing direction and support to various 

aging programs as well as education, training, and mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

We want to congratulate Lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move towards a swift 

confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state and federal 

partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly valuable in the ACL 

Administrator position. We look forward to partnering with Mr. Robertson in his new role. 

Sincerely, 

'J0.0.(J<LI.cl 1 ..._ ful&clfhL t11SiV, !2/J 

Jacquelyn Browne, MSN, RN 

Country Style Health Care. Inc. IV. Admini<tr•tnr 
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Dawn Smith 

2017 Old Central Drive 

Norman, OK 73071 

July 11,2017 

Chairman Lamar Alexander and Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Lamar Alexander and Ranking Member Patty Murray: 

I am writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging 

and Administrator of the Administration of Community Living at the United States Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Lance is committed to assisting caregivers who work to ensure their loved ones are leading satisfying lives; 

this is essential as States continue to shift away from institutionalization and move toward full inclusion in 

communities. 

Lance continues to lead with the Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy (OAALA), which is in its 

20'h year. The academy is a national model for effective advocacy training programs. As a citizen of the 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I appreciate their partnership to help make this academy possible and understand 

their high regard for Lance. 

As a State employee, I was proud of Oklahoma's own Lance Robertson receiving the Inaugural President's 

Award from the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities. Lance actively listens to 

self-advocates, caregivers, providers, professionals and stakeholders. He engages and cooperates with other 

divisions within Oklahoma Department of Human Services, as well as state and federal partners. He takes 

swift and decisive action when addressing the needs of those being supported; his understanding of policy, 

fiscal and operational issues all indicate he's earned national recognition and deserves appointment with the 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality improvement 

initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching of the National Core 

Indicators Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability 

community-based organizations. 

Lance spent nearly a decade in the US Army and Army Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons 

before his honorable discharge in 1997. Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State 
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University, providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and 

mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

It is with strong conviction that I willingly submit this recommendation for your time and deliberation. 

Sincerely, 

Dawn Smith, 

Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services Program Field Representative 
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The Elder Justice Coalition 

A National Advocacy Voice for Elder justice in America 

john B. Breaux, Honorary Chair • Robert B. Blancato, National Coordinator 

July 11,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chaimmn Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

The bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition is proud to lend its ftdl support to Lance Robertson 

of OkJahoma, who was nominated by President Trump to be the Assistant Secretary for Aging in the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

l have had the pleasm·e of knowing and working with Lance for more than a decade and specifically in fhe 

area of elder justice. Lance is fhe second-longest serving state unit on aging director in the com1try and is 

very familiar with elder abuse prevention issues at the state level. His work has him working closely wifh 

Adult Protective Services as well as Oklahoma's long-term care ombudsman program. 

More specifically, from what we know ftnm our elder justice colleagues in Oklahoma, Lance is viewed as 

a creative, open-minded team builder. During a transition period for the Oklahoma Department of 

Human Services (DHS), he identified elder justice as a critical component ofthe Department's mission 

and brought togefher fhe long-term care ombudsman program, Adult Protective Services and ofher key 

stakeholders to not only discuss the newly enacted Elder Justice Act but also how each entity could play a 

pivotal role in protecting the safety of older Oklahomans. For many years, he also supported and hosted 

the Coalition Against Financial Exploitation of the Elderly (CAFEE), a coalition including fhe District 

Attorney's office, fhe long-term care ombudsman, Adult Protective Services, bankers and law 

enforcement. CAFEE worked to influence positive legislation and improve the identification and 

prosecution of cases of elder exploitation. 

Lance Robertson is someone who accepts challenge and responds to it effectively bofh in his professional 

life and in service to our nation through a distinguished career in fhe U.S. Army and Army Reserves, 

where he served for over a decade. 

He is an experienced leader wifh commitment and compassion and we are vety pleased to offer our full 

support. We look forward to working with you during the confirmation process and if there are any 

questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Bob Blancato 

National Coordinator 

1612 K Street NW Suite 200 • Washington, D.C. 20006 

www.elderjusticecoalition.com • info@elderjusticecoalition.com 
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Dear Senator 

REP. DR. GEORGE E. YOUNG, SR. 

VICE CHAIR OF DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS 

CHAIR OF OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS 

Please accept this letter as support for the continuation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant 

Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an exceptional 

asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him an excellent choice for this 

significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our nations' most vulnerable 

population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in addressing the 

health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary on Aging, through the 

long tenu care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is able to help our elderly 

citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs offered by the Aging Network in the 

State of Oklahoma. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to confirm 

him. It is critical he be continued quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of the 

Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our parents, 

grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and continuation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. And, 

thank you tor all you do is serving our state and our nation. 

Sincerely 

Representative Dr. George E. Young, Sr. 

Democratic Caucus Vice Chair 

Chair of Oklaboma Legislative Black Caucus 

House District 99 
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July 7, 2017 

Chairman Lamar Alexander 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Appointment of Lance Robertson as Administration for Community Living 

Dear Chairman Alexander, 

As the Director of Georgia's State Unit on Aging, the Georgia Division of Aging Services, I am writing to enthusiastically 

endorse Lance Robertson for the role of Administrator for the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Among 

Lance's many accomplishments, he is the second most tenured State Unit on Aging director in the nation with over ten 

years in this role, he is the past president of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities 

(NASUAD) and he is a U.S. Army veteran. These are just a few of the points that I would like for you to consider as I 

believe they speak to his unique skill sets, knowledge base and ability to provide effective leadership in this important 

In his current position as the Oklahoma State Unit on Aging Director, Lance is leads a division that touches nearly 

400,000 Oklahomans annually. He is aware of the needs and concerns across disciplines as the programs and services 

provided by the Oklahoma Aging Services Division touch both older adults and individuals with disabilities. Lance is also 

aware of and skilled at broadening networks to include a diverse group of partners who work together to address the 

needs and concerns of his constituency. His leadership with the Oklahoma State Unit on Aging speaks to his ability to 

provide maximum benefit to the individuals his division serves and to the Oklahoma tax payers, as well. 

Lance maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the nation. As the past president of NASUAD, he provided 

exceptional leadership. He demonstrated ability to work with all states on their unique needs and concerns while 

continuing to grow the NASUAD membership. 

Lastly, as a u.s. Army veteran Lance brings a skill set that is rare in the field of social services. He has proven leadership 

around programmatic accountability, policy implementation and maintenance of standards. He has admirably led his 

country through his service and his great work continues at the same high level as he saves older and disabled 

Oklahomans every day. 

I hope that you will consider Lance for the role of Administrator for the Administration for Community Living. With his 

appointment, I believe we have the opportunity to see the improvements, efficiencies and increased responsiveness in 

government that are critically needed. He is a true public servant that has the respect of me, and so many other others 

across the nation. 

Please do not hesitate to have your staff contact me with any questions you many have regarding this matter. I can be 

reached at abby.cox@dhs.ga.gov or 404-657-5252. Thank you again. 

Sincerely, 
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Abby Cox, MSW 

Division of Aging Services Director 

Georgia Department of Human Services 
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July 2017 

Dear Senator: 

for the confirmation of Mr. Lance 

in the Administration on Aging 

nm1fA~:~innAI work and leadership in 

networks, Mr. will bring exceptional to the Arlrnini«tr .. tir"' 

As a Veteran, he is also an excellent 

the needs of some of our nation's most 

our society continues to age. 

You and other Senators are "'"'"'"'r'"'rt 

citizens, older 

provided Aml<'lri.r.l'lr\s 

the nomination of Mr. Robertson for the Assistant SAt~rAt:::~rv 

him. It is critical he be confirmed so he can 

l<'laliAI'Shl:n required for the and 

Thank you for 

on 

appreciated. 

Sincerely, 

which includes our parents, nr~•nrl:n"'''"'"'"' 

and confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson as the Assistant 

know your service to your state and our nation is valued and 
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U.S. SenateI am writing to pledge my support for my friend Mr. Lance Allen Robertson of Oklahoma 

for the position of Assistant Secretary of Aging, Department of Humans Services. You 

will not find a more qualified, intelligent, kind, honest, ethical, hardworking person, 

family oriented and dedicated leader than Lance A Robertson. 

Although I am retired now, I have known Lance for 20 years. 

I was the Director of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District Area Agency on 

Aging from 1997 to 2005 and in that capacity I worked closely with Lance to advocate 

tirelessly for Seniors and families. I attended many meetings and Aging Conferences 

with Lance, and served on the Board of Directors for Partnerships for Aging. 

I hold my Bachelors Degree from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma and my Masters 

Degree from Oklahoma State University in Education with all my electives and personal 

interests in Behavioral Health and Human Services. 

I am a Veteran and I served on Submarines, including 3 Patrols on the USS Nathanael 

Greene SSBN 636, as a Radioman and US Navy Diver. 

I ask that you confirm Mr. Lance Allen Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary 

of Aging, Department of Humans Services. Mr. Robertson will without a doubt be a 

great asset to the current Administration. 

If I can help further, please let me know. 

Thank you. 

Sincerely; 

Harold K. Recoy 

25810 East 330 Road 

Chelsea, OK. 74016 

Cell 6203059900 
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Dear Senator 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him an excellent 

choice for this significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our 

nations' most vulnerable population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is 

able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs 

offered by the Aging Network in (our, your or each) state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our 

parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

And, thank you for all you do is serving (our, your) state and our nation. 

Sincerely 

Bischoff. i\HM 

Diredo1 
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~ 

~ Human Services 

Research Institute 2336 Massaehuseltll Av~:>nue, Cambridge. MA 02140 

()J 7 -87fl-O-i2(i 

{il7-402-7..f0l 

www.hsri.org 

Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

July7,2017 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), I am writing to support the nomination of 

Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the 

Administration of Community Living at the United States Department of Health and Human 

Services. HSRI is a non-profit organization with over 40 years of experience providing consultation 

and research efforts at both the state and federal levels in the following focus areas: Intellectual & 

Developmental Disabilities; Aging and Disability; Child and Family Services; Behavioral Health; 

and Population Health. 

We are pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone with such 

extensive experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served as the Director of Aging 

Services in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently the 

second-longest tenured state director in the nation. During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he 

has been a strong advocate for the OAA, for improved L TSS delivery systems, and, most 

importantly, tor the needs of individuals served by the aging and disability networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality 

improvement initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching 

of the National Core Indicators -Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with 

Oklahoma's aging and disability community-based organizations. 

In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also bas 

an extensive and distinguished history in the military. Lance spent nearly a decade in the US Anny 

and Anny Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 

1997. Lastly, we note that Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State 

University, providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, 

and mentors hip to individuals entering the field of aging services. 
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We want to congratulate Lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move towards a 

swift confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state 

and federal partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be 

incredibly valuable in the ACL Administrator position. We look forward to partnering with Mr. 

Robertson in his new role. 

Sincerely, 

David 

~¥ Hughes, President 
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July 25, 2017 

Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander: 

On behalf of Independent Living Systems, I am writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the position 

of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration of Community living at the United States 

Department of Health and Human Service. Independent Living Systems ("ILS") is a health-services company that 

delivers turn-key solutions to millions of America's frail, special needs, and aging population. In partnership with 

health plans, providers, hospitals, and community-based organizations, ILS provides managed care services aimed 

at improving health outcomes and reducing costs. The company's integrated offering, powered by an award winning 

technology platform, provides assistance at every stage of care including personalized care management. 

Mr. Robertson has served as the Director of Aging Services in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 

10 years, and is currently the second-longest tenured state director in the nation. Under his leadership, Oklahoma 

has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality Improvement initiatives, such as the development 

of "No Wrong Door" intake systems, the launching of the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, 

and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability community-based organizations. He has been a 

strong advocate for the OAA for improved L TSS delivery systems and for the needs of individuals served by the aging 

and disability networks. In addition, Mr. Robertson's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State 

University, providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and mentorship 

to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

ILS is honored to know Mr. Robertson and congratulate him on his nomination. We strongly encourage the 

committee to move towards a swift confirmation. His experience in the network, established relationships with 

state and federal partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly 

valuable in the ACL Administrator position. We look forward to working with Mr. Robertson in his new role. 

Long-term Care & Nutrition 
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questions. 
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Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Lance will be an exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. He understands the 

complex and dynamic nature of various aging populations found globally. For decades, he 

has dedicated himself to better serving others, i.e., work and leadership in the Aging and 

Disability Networks or his military service. Thus, he is an excellent choice for this significant 

and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our nations' most 

vulnerable populations as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is 

critical in addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The 

Assistant Secretary on Aging, through the long-term care services and supports provided 

under the Older Americans Act, is able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and 

independent through activities and programs offered by the Aging Network in each state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by 

voting to confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide 

direction and leadership of the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our 

nation's elderly, which includes our parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as they 

age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary 

on Aging. And, thank you for all you do is serving the state and our nation. 

Warm Regards, 

Jessica Allen, MS 

J.D. Candidate, May 2079 

University of Tulsa 

Treasurer, Law and Medicine Society 

Associate Editor, Tulsa Law Review 
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July 4, 2017 

Re: lance Robertson 

Dear Senator 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him an excellent 

choice for this significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our 

nations' most vulnerable population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is 

able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs 

offered by the Aging Network in (our, your or each) state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our 

parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

And, thank you for all you do is serving (our, your) state and our nation. 

Sincer~ 

.. ~ _,.,..·· 

Vice President 

Ledbetter Insurance Agency, LLC • P.O. Box 18799 • Oklahoma City. OK 73154-0799 

(405) 840-9090 • Fax 840-9691 • www.ledhetterinsurance.com 

Since 1918 
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Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Being a Veteran helps make him an excellent choice 

for this important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our nations' most vulnerable 

population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is 

able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs 

offered by the Aging Network in our state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our 

parents, grandparents, friends, and loved ones. 

Thank you in advance for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary 

on Aging. We appreciate your service to our nation. 

Sincerely, 

Douq !C!\f\.,V\.£>VLe 

Doug Iannone I President 

Lift Truck Center, Inc. Springfield (417) 879-7900/Wichita (316) 942-7465 
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July 5'", 2017 

The Honorable Chairman Alexander 

Dear Mr. Chairman, 

Please accept this letter of support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Having worked as an advocate and executive with Mr. Robertson in the field of Aging and 

Disability over the past many years in Oklahoma, I believe Lance is an excellent choice am 

will be an exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. I also join many who 

appreciate the fact that Mr. Robertson is a Veteran who understands the importance of 

meeting the needs of our nations' most vulnerable population as our society ages. 

The important work that you and all Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing relevant needs of our citizens, especially our senior citizens. The Assistant 

Secretary on Aging-through a range of long term care services and supports included 

under the Older Americans Act, helps older citizens stay healthy and independent through 

diverse activities and programs made possible in the nation's and the state of Oklahoma's 

Aging Network. 

Thank you for your immediate support for the nomination of Lance Robertson for the 

Assistant Secretary on Aging--your confirmation vote matters--immediate confirmation will 

also enable Mr. Robertson to begin to provide direction and leadership in the 

Administration on Aging and programs to assist our nation's seniors--our parents, our 

grandparents, our friends and our loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and for confirmation vote for Mr. Lance Robertson as the 

Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

Sincerely 

Laura Dempsey, PhD 
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Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

July 10, 2017 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of all mature Oklahomans, it is with mixed emotions I write to support the nomination of Lance 

Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration for 

Community Living at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. His confirmation 

would mean every senior and disabled Oklahoman will lose an experienced, energetic, creative advocate 

sorely needed during our State's economic crisis, but, in the interest of the greater good, all Americans 

would benefit not only from his talents and experience, but also from his national network of expert aging 

and disability colleagues in private and public positions. 

Mr. Robertson has been the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services' Aging Services for 

nearly 10 years. Having worked closely with him during this time, I've had the unique experience of daily 

observing his ability to balance oversight of 19 programs, research and prepare presentations for diverse 

audiences and share numerous articles of interest from various sources with managers and team 

members. In making tough decisions to comply with required budget cuts, he scrutinizes the benefits of 

all programs, ably advocating to preserve the services essential to the most vulnerable. In addition to his 

day-to-day activities, he also meaningfully contributed to and led, as president, the National Association 

of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) and served on task forces, work groups and 

participated in round table discussions for a wide range of aging and disability topics with AARP, Native 

American groups, NASUAD, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services and 

the Administration for Community Living. Mr. Robertson's participation is sought because he is known to 

be well informed, collaborative and creative. 

It will be in the best interest of all seniors (present and future) and disabled for Mr. Robertson to be 
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quickly confirmed so this extraordinary administrator can begin the work of leading and collaborating for 

the best outcomes for all Americans. 

Sincerely, 

Judith Mowery 
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Please make sure you meet Lance when he comes to D.C. this next week. I understand you 

are one of those who are pivotal is making decision that will affect our seniors and those 

with disabilities. As our President looks to build a united committed team to make America 

great again he can do no better than including Lance as a part of that team. Lance has a 

proven tenure of commitment and compassion for our most vulnerable citizens. Not only 

has he served his home state of Oklahoma with honor as the Director of Aging Services he 

is well respected as a reliable advocate for our states Native Americans and those who have 

disabilities as well. Health professional from every area of human services look to him for 

advice and counsel. He is a born leader that people naturally trust, willing follow, 

emulate and support. 

Linda Mattingly-Smith, PhD 

Health Care Consultant 
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Dear Honorable Senator Alexander, Chairman and Honorable Senator Murray, Ranking Member: 

1 am humbly seeking for the confirmation of Mr. lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

Mr. lance Robertson, has ten years as State Aging Director (2"d most tenured in the nation). He also 

has twenty-two years as a Public Administrator (and graduate degree in Public Administration). He 

formerly held upper-echelon position as a past President, National Association of States United for 

Aging & Disabilities (NASUAD). He has a vast comprehensive experience in directing aging and 

disability network programming. His experience displays that he is a veteran with extensive work at 

the national level with a variety of federal agencies. He's skilled at assuring program accountability 

and transparency, policy implementation and maintenance of standards. He held a variety of 

appointments to state and national task forces and committees. He is a hard-working, passionate, 

honest and collaborative leader with a track record of getting things done. For your information, I've 

had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Lance Robertson during my tenure as Grant Administrator for 

the Office on the Aging under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs in the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (U.S. Territory) via webinar conference hosted by 

NASUAD. 

With that submissively said, I humbly beg for your consideration to expedite the immediate action 

within the purview of your standing committee in the U.S. Senate for the passage on the confirmation 

of Mr. lance Robertson to the afore named position effective immediately so that objectively the 

interest of the stakeholders to the specific previously described programs (AOA) will be served 

accordingly. 

Respectfully, 

Melvin l.O,Faisao 
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Dear Chairman Alexander: 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, Lance will be an 

exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him an excellent 

choice for this significant and important position in addressing and meeting the needs of some of our 

nations' most vulnerable population as our society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is 

able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs 

offered by the Aging Network in each state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our 

parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

And, thank you for all you do is serving your state and our nation. 

Sincerely 

Charlie Rehbein 

Montana Office on Aging 
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Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray 

Please accept this as my support for lance Robertson, State Director of Aging from the State of 

Oklahoma, for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

lance has 22 years of experience in serving our nation's elderly. lance will do a great job on the human 

services side of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

I have known and worked with Lance for most of the years he has served in the aging network. I have 

been impressed with his wisdom, compassion and insight into the services for those who have helped 

make our nation great and who are also some of our most vulnerable people in society. 

Thank you for your support of Lance- he will do a great job in leading those of us who are working to 

serve our aging population and will do a great job for you and the other Senators as you deal with issues 

related to our aging society. 

Charlie Rehbein 

Montana Aging Services Bureau 

PO Box4210 

Helena MT 59604-4210 

(406)444-7788 
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National Council on Aging 

July 13,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander, Chairman 

The Honorable Patty Murray, Ranking Member 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of the National Council on Aging, I am writing to support the nomination 

of Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary for Aging and 

Administrator of the Administration of Community Living at the United States 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

NCOA is a respected national leader and trusted partner to help people aged 60+ 

meet the challenges of aging. We partner with nonprofit organizations, government, 

and business to provide innovative community programs and services, online help, 

and advocacy. Our mission is to improve the lives of millions of older adults, 

especially those who are struggling, with a goal of improving the health and 

economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020. 

We are pleased that ACL Administrator nomination has gone to a colleague with an 

extensive history with the aging and disability networks, and whose efforts receive 

high praise from members of those communities both within his home state of 

Oklahoma and across the nation. Lance has served as the Director of Aging Services 

in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently 

the second-longest tenured state director in the nation. Throughout his tenure in 

Oklahoma, he has been a strong advocate for the Older Americans Act (OAA), for 

improved L TSS delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs of individuals 

served by the aging and disability networks, particularly those who are 

underserved, including older adults who are low-income and/ or reside in rural 

communities. 

Lance has provided steady leadership of Aging Services during recent fiscal 

challenges, and also oversaw a number of important modernization and quality 

improvement initiatives. These include the development of No Wrong Door intake 

systems, the launching of the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability 

initiative, and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability 

community-based organizations. 

251 JSlh Street South 

Suite500 

Allington, VA 22202 

Phone: 571-527-3900 

Fax: 571·527-3901 

ncoa.org 1 @NCOAglng 
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In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at the state and national 

levels, Lance also has an extensive and distinguished history in the military and 

higher education. He spent nearly a decade in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, 

accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. 

Lance also held leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, providing 

direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and 

mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

We congratulate Lance on his nomination, and look forward to working with him on 

policies affecting healthy aging, benefits access, and grandfamilies at the national 

level. His lengthy experience with the aging and disability networks, established 

relationships with state and federal partners, and efforts to seek out information 

and advice from individuals with diverse perspectives before making critical 

decisions will be incredibly valuable as ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary 

for Aging. We encourage the Committee to move toward a swift confirmation. 

Sine~~~ 

JamC.J;-Firman, Ed.D. 

President & CEO 

National Council on Aging 
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Board of Directors 

James T. DeLaCruz. Sr., Chairman 

Quinault Indian Nation 

Northwest Region (ID, OR, WA) 

EddiE~ TUllis, Vice Chairman Poarch Band of Creek Indians 

Eastetn Region (Eastern US) 

Martha Adete Mlhesuah,. Secretary 

Comanche Nation 

Southern Plains Region 

(KS, Western OK, TX) 

JoAnne Jones, Treasurer 

Ho Chunk Nation 

Midwest Region (lA, Ml, MN, WI, ll) 

Anna frank 

Native VIllage of MlntQ 

Alaska Region (AK) 

Utllan'Thomas 

Museogee {Creek) Nation 

Eastern Oklahoma Region 

(Eastern OK) 

Robert LaFrombots& SJsseron.wahpeton 

Great Plains Region (NO, NE, SD) 

Ralph Bennett. Jr. NavajoNatfon 

NavaJo Area 

VlrglnJaHIII 

Tonawanda Band of Senecas Nation 

Paclfk: Region {CA) 

LuclaTf\lllllo 

Puehlo Qf Sandia (NM, CO) 

Southwest Region 

Phyllis Antone 

GHa River lndlan Communlty 

Western Region (AZ, NV, UT) 

{Vacant) 

RockY Mountain (MT, WY) 

(Vacant) 

Natlona!TltleVI 

Grantees Association 

National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. 

Sent by email to: Secretary@HHS.gov 

June 7, 2017 

The White House 

Attn: Office of Personnel 

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20500 

RE: Letter of Recommendation 

The National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. {NICOA) is a national nonprofit 

organization, with the mission to advocate for improved comprehensive health, 

social services and economic wellbeing for American Indian and Alaska Native 

elders. Our membership extends to 567 federally recognized tribes with well 

over 2,000 members and Aging Network partners across the country. We are 

also a member of the Diverse Elders Coalition {DEC) a coordinated group of 

national aging organizations advocating for diversity in aging. 

NICOA is honored to write a letter of recommendation for Lance Robertson, the 

Director of Aging Services for the State of Oklahoma for nomination and 

appointment to the position of Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator 

to the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). 

Mr. Robertson has served for 10 years as the Oklahoma State Aging Director and 

has worked effectively with a diverse staff and aging networks to provide critical 

aging services and supports to elders across the state. His years of experience 

and training in public administration has qualified him as an authoritative 

subject matter expert who brings a tremendous depth of knowledge of the aging 

and disability networks. 

Most notable to the National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. is his ability to work 

with the tribes of Oklahoma. Director Robertson has proven his ability to work 

with the tribes in Oklahoma which are often rural and unserved or uoderserved. 

His insight into the unique challenges facing American Indian communities in 

Oklahoma makes NICOA confident that he can bring that same commitment to 

filling the gaps in services that our communities struggle with every day across 

Indian Country. 
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26535-33.eps

The Assistant Secretary for Aging position is critical to the growing population of older adults in our 

nation. Thus, we need an Administrator that can plan and implement programs that help support 

inclusive healthcare, elder abuse prevention and intervention services, caregiver supports and 

training, nutrition programs, improvement in access to transportation, accessible long term services 

and supports for all older Americans. 

Older adults must have access to aging services and supports regardless of where they live. Director 

Robertson will contribute his knowledge and inclusive approach to effectively reach all older 

Americans whether in robust, urban areas or service restricted rural areas. The goal is to effectively 

reach all older adults across our great nation and move all older adults to security in aging. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

/1 J. . Jh. J__ it::::'r. oX:~, Sr. 

Chairman of the Board 

Member of the Quinault Indian Nation 

CC: Or. Thomas E. Price, Secretary of HHS 
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NORTH CENTRAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING, INC. 

311 S. Virginia St., Suite 2 

Conrad, MT 59425 

406-271-7553 

June 30, 2017 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

This letter is being written in support of the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department 

of Health and Human Services. 

We at the North Central Area Agency on Aging in Conrad. MT feel Lance Robertson will be a 

great asset to the Administration on Aging. He has worked in and been a leader in the Aging and 

Disability network for more than 20 years. It is my understanding that Lance is also a Veteran. 

All those years of experience in these different arenas make him an excellent choice for a 

position which will provide assistance to the elderly and Veterans, who are some of the neediest 

members of our society. 

Some very important decisions in regard to health care will have to be made now and in the 

future by you and others in congress. The Assistant Secretary on Aging will be in a position to 

assist you in making those decisions and I feel Lance will fill that position admirably, with an 

emphasis on helping to keep our elderly in their own homes and communities for as long as 

possible. We in the Aging Services field of service have heard over and over again how 

important it is to the elderly to remain near their family, friends, churches, etc. without being put 

in to a nursing home. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by 

voting to confirm him. It is very important for him to be confirmed as quickly as possible so be 

can begin to provide direction and leadership of the Administration on Aging and the programs 

that assist our nation's elderly as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on 

Aging. And, thank you for all you do is serving Montana and our nation. 

Sincerely 

Karin Roehm 

Executive Director 
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• 

BOARD OP DIRECTORS 

David B. Cohen 

CHAIR 

Yvonne T.atsuno 

VICEGlAlR 

Deborah F. Ching 

SI::CRETARY 

CaoKO 

TREASURER 

Han Patdcia Saiki 

CHAlR EMERITUS 

Anna Crosslin 

john Q. Duong 

GicKim 

MattShiraki 

Bernarda Wong 

Pablo]. Wong 

Benfamin H Wi:t 

Sylvia Yucn, PhD. 

Wesley Lum, PhD, MPH 

PRESIDENT AND CEO 

NATIONAL AsiAN PACIFIC 

CENTER ON AGING 

July 5, 2017 

Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Memher Murray: 

On behalf of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), lam writing to 

support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on 

Aging and Administrator of the Administration of Community Living (ACL) at the 

United States Department of Health and Human Services. 

NAPCA's mission is to preserve and promote the dignity, well-being, and quality of 

life of Asian American and Pacific Islanders as they age. 

We are pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone 

with such extensive experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served 

as the Director of Aging Services in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for 

nearly 10 years, and is currently the second-longest tenured state director in the nation. 

During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he has been a strong advocate for the 

Older Americans Act, for improved long-term supports and service delivery systems, 

and, most importantly, for the needs of individuals served by the aging and disability 

networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization 

and quality improvement initiatives, such as tl1e development of No Wrong Door intake 

systems, the launching of the National Core Indicators -Aging and Disability 

initiative, and improved coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability 

community-based organizations. 
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In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also has an 

extensive and distinguished history in the military. Lance spent nearly a decade in the US Anny and Army 

Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. Lastly, we note 

that Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, providing direction and 

support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and mentorship to individuals entering the 

field of aging services. 

We want to congratulate Lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move towards a swift 

confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state and federal 

partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly valuable in the 

ACL Administrator position. We look forward to partnering with Mr. Robertson in his new role. 

Sincerely, 

Wesley 

~d-- Lum, PhD, MPH 

President and CEO 

1511 Third Avenue, Suite 

Tel: (206) 624-1221 Fax: (206) 
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National Association of 

Area Agende$ on Aging 

1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW 

Sulte1200 

Washington, DC 20036 

p 202.872.0888 

F 202.872.0057 

www.n4a.org 

July7, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Minority Member 

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is 

pleased to support the nomination of Lance Robertson as the 

Assistant Secretary on Aging and the Administrator of the U.S. 

Administration for Community Living (ACL). Given the rapid rise 

in the numbers of Americans who are aging, it is critical that we 

have a champion in this post who has ample first-hand knowledge 

of real needs of older adults and their caregivers, as well as 

experience with the Aging Network programs and services that 

address those needs. 

As the long-standing director of Oklal10ma's Aging Services 

Division, Lance has worked closely with the Area Agencies on 

Aging (AAAs) to implement quality improvement and systems 

modernization efforts that have improved Oklahoma's aging 

services. As a result, together the State Division and the AAAs in 

Oklahoma have worked together to ensure that older adults have 

access to a range of critical quality services even during 

challenging budget times. 

Mr. Robertson has also distinguished himself on the national front 

as a leader within the National Association of States United for 

Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD), serving in multiple critical 

leadership roles including President, Vice President and 

Treasurer. In those roles, Lance was a visionary and a bridge 

builder-always looking for ways to move the Aging and Disability 

Networks forward so that they have the capacity to serve today's 

as well as tomorrow's population of older Americans and people 

with disabilities. 
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For these reasons, the Board and membership are pledging their support and 

endorsement of Mr. Robertson to serve as the Assistant Secretary on Aging and ACL 

Administrator. We believe that he would be a crucial asset within the federal 

government for the nation's rising population of older adults, people with disabilities 

and their caregivers. 

Sincerely, 

Sandy Markwood 

Chief Executive Officer 
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July 14,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

•• 

MEALS.WHEELS 

AMIIUUCA 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) and 

Meals on Wheels America, we are writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the Administration of Community 

Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Together, our organizations represent 

the more than 5,000 senior nutrition programs across the country that provide meals to hungry and 

vulnerable older adults directly in their homes and/or in congregate settings, such as senior centers. 

We are encouraged that Lance brings extensive experience in the aging and disability community 

through decades of public service. This is particularly critical as our nation faces unprecedented 

growth in the senior population and with it, a concomitant need for nutritious meals and 

companionship. We note Lance's dedicated service to our nation through a distinguished career in 

the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, where he served for over a decade, and his work as a 

gerontologist at Oklahoma State University. Perhaps most notably, however, Lance has served as the 

Director of Aging Services in Oklahoma's Department ofHuman Services for nearly ten years and is 

currently the second-longest tenured state director in the nation. He is a past president of the National 

Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) and also has great support from 

other members of the aging and disability network. Through his role as Director of Aging Services, 

Lance has experience working with a broad diversity of community-based organizations and has 

collaborated with disability partners through the development of No Wrong Door intake systems and 

the launching of the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability Initiative. As an Oklahoman, 

Lance also has experience working with Native American tribes-an understanding and a 

relationship which is sorely needed in the federal government, particularly for improving Older 

Americans Act Title VI Native American services. 

We congratulate Lance on his nomination and encourage the Committee to move toward a swift 

confirmation. At this pivotal time in aging services history, we need someone who can hit the ground 
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running on behalf of older adults and persons with disabilities. We are confident in Lance's ability to 

deliver, and we look foTWaTd to working with him towaTd that end in the weeks ahead. 

Sincerely, 

Robert B. Blancato 

Executive Director 

National Association of Nutrition and 

Aging Services Programs (NAN ASP) 

Ellie Hollander 

President and CEO 

Meals on Wheels America 
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NASDDDS 

Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate 

Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate 

Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

July 10, 2017 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

301 Fairfax St.. N Alexandria VA 22314 

Tel· 

On behalf of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services 

(NASDDDS), please accept this letter of support for the nomination of Lance Robertson to be confirmed 

as the Assistant Secretary of Aging and Administrator of the Administration on Community living. 

NASDDDS is a professional organization of the directors of state agencies with responsibility for the 

administration and management of services furnished to individuals with intellectual and developmental 

disabilities (IDD). The membership includes representatives from all 50 states and the District of 

Columbia. The association assists state IDD agency officials respond to emerging state and federal policy 

and operational issues that that affect their efforts to ensure the delivery of services and supports to 

individuals with IDD in their respective states and jurisdictions. Our members oversee almost all of the 

Medicaid home and community-based waiver programs serving individuals with IDD in the nation. 

I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Robertson in his current role as of the Director of the 

Oklahoma Aging Services Division. I found him to be a strong collaborator and understanding of the 

importance of long term supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Having an administrator of the ACL with deep understanding of state roles is an important asset that Mr. 

Robertson will bring to the position. I encourage the committee to move forward on his nomination. 

Sincerely, 
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Mary Lee Fay 

Executive Director 

NASDDDS 
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!20!!5th Street NW 

Suite350 

Fax 202-898-2583 

www.nasuad.org 

July7,2D17 

The White House 

Attn: Office of Personnel 

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20500 

As Executive Director for the National Association of States United for Aging and 

Disabilities (NASUAD), I am writing to confirm NASUAD's strong support for the 

nomination and appointment of Lance Robertson, current Director of Aging Services for 

the State of Oklahoma, to the position of Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator 

to the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL}. 

Founded in 1%4, NASUAD is a non-profit association representing the nation's 56 

officially designated state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities. The mission of 

the Association is to advance social, health, and economic policies responsive to the needs 

of a diverse aging population and to enhance the capacity of its membership to promote 

the rights, dignity, and independence of, and expand opportunities and resources for, 

current and future generations of older persons, adults with disabilities, and their 

caregivers. 

NASUAD is honored to write a letier of recommendation for Lance, who not only has 

served for 10 years as the Oklahoma State Aging Director and is the second most tenured 

director in the nation, but who also served on NASUAD's Board of Directors, including as 

NASUAD's President. As President, Lance proven to be a hard-working, passionate, and 

collaborative leader. Lance has comprehensive experience in directing aging and disability 

network programming and has experience working with all types and sizes of community 

based organizations. 

We are confident that Lance will be an Administrator that can plan and implement 

programs that help support inclusive healthcare, elder abuse prevention and intervention 

services, caregiver supports and training, nutrition programs, improvement in access to 

transportation, accessible long term services and supports for all older Americans. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Regards, 

Martha Roherty 

Executive Director 
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Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, labor, 

and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

June 30, 2017 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 

and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, I am writing to support the nomination of lance 

Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration of 

Community Living at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 

This correspondence is offered in support of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary 

for the Administration on Community Living. I have been part of the aging and disabilities network that is 

reflected within the federal Older Americans Act since 1983 in several roles and capacities: first as a 

service provider at the local level providing transportation, adult day care, and day services for older 

persons and persons with disabilities; then as the director of a regional area agency on aging for over 

twenty years. In 2011, I was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds to be 

the director of Iowa's state unit on aging, the Iowa Department on Aging. In October, 2016, I decided to 

return closer to my home to resume directing a regional area agency on aging. Our agency is the 

recipient of two federal grants to act as the technical resource centers for the Senior Medicare Patrol 

(SMP) and Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Through these grants, I have worked 

closely with the Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living leadership and staff. I 

share my history because I believe Lance has the leadership capabilities, knowledge and desire to 

understand how all levels of programs and government must work together for the best outcome for the 

Administration for Community Living (ACL) and its related responsibilities and to lead the ACL into the 

future aligning with the President's vision for older Americans and persons with disabilities. 

While serving as the state director, I had the privilege to be a member of NASUAD (the membership 

organization representing state departments overseeing aging and disability programs) while lance was 

the President. He is impeccable as a representative of any organization and led the organization with 

trust and credibility during his tenure. He provided opportunities to address challenges, transform the 

organization to perform more efficiently and effectively, and included all members, collaborative 

partners such as other national aging and disability organizations, and constituents in the design and 

delivery of any transformation. During that time, I would spend time with lance over meals learning he 

offers that same leadership, vision, collaboration and desire to be transformative in his role in the state 

of Oklahoma and believe he would carry those skills and traditions to Washington, DC in this role. 

The federal Older Americans Act is ready for transformation and I believe Lance would be well-suited to 

lead that undertaking. The networks serving our nation's elders and persons with disabilities continue to 

identify ways to work more collaboratively to focus on ways to improve the Jives of others that need our 

assistance while increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiencies. Again, lance has demonstrated his 

leadership abilities within Oklahoma, is a constant student of best practices across the country, and 1 

believe would lead this network to increased success and enhanced outcomes. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share my support of his consideration for this critical role. 
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We are pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone with such 

extensive experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served as the Director of Aging 

Services in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently the secondlongest tenured state director in the nation. During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he has been a 

strong advocate for the OAA, for improved LTSS delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs 

of individuals served by the aging and disability networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality 

improvement initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching of 

the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with 

Oklahoma's aging and disability community-based organizations. 

In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also has an 

extensive and distinguished history in the military. lance spent nearly a decade in the US Army and 

Army Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. 

lastly, we note that Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, 

providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and 

mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

We want to congratulate Lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move towards a 

swift confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state and 

federal partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly 

valuable in the ACL Administrator position. We look forward to partnering with Mr. Robertson in his 

new role. 

Sincerely, 

Donna K. Harvey, CEO 

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging 
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Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray 

U.S. Senate HELP Committee 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. Lance Robertson for the position of 

Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

Given his years of leadership In the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division, 

Lance will be an exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps make him 

an excellent choice for this significant and Important position in addressing and meeting the needs of 

some of our nations' most vulnerable population as our society continues to age. 

I have had the pleasure to have known lance for several years. I have personally worked with Lance on 

several committees and initiatives involving senior needs ranging from legislative changes to 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. lance was raised by his grandparents so this initiative was very 

personal for him. I believe there is no one as dedicated to serving the needs of our most vulnerable 

population as they age. He has a deep passion for serving that population. I have continued to stay in 

touch with Lance even since retiring from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services because as a 

retiree the work he does affects me in my everyday life. 

The Important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is critical in 

addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. The Assistant Secretary 

on Aging, through the long term care services and supports provided under the Older Americans Act, is 

able to help our elderly citizens remain healthier and independent through activities and programs 

offered by the Aging Network in our state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging by voting to 

confirm him. It Is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to provide direction and leadership of 

the Administration on Aging and the programs that assist our nation's elderly, which includes our 

parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

And, thank you for all you do is serving our state and our nation. 

~~ 

/;~ 

Patricia Moore 

Retiree of Oklahoma Department of Human Services 
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Chairman Lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

June 27, 2017 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of The SNP Alliance, I am writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for 

the position of Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration of 

Community living at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The SNP 

Alliance is a national leadership organization dedicated to serving beneficiaries with complex 

health, behavioral health and social service needs through highly specialized managed care 

plans and to advancing integration of health care to improve service delivery for individuals who 

are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Our membership includes 26 health plans offering 

more than 250 plans in 39 States and the District of Columbia, enrolling over one million 

Medicare beneficiaries, the majority of whom are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid 

benefits. About three-quarters of the Alliance's members operate fully integrated, dual-eligible 

SNPs (FIDESNPs) or plans in the CMS Financial Alignment demonstration (Medicare Medicaid 

Plans or MMPs). Thus, in addition to Medicare services, our members are involved in providing 

specialized care under Medicaid including behavioral health, and the full range of Long Term 

Services and Supports (LTSS) such as home and community based waiver services, assisted living 

and nursing home care. 

We are pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone with 

extensive experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served as the Director of 

Aging Services in Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is 

currently the second-longest tenured state director in the nation. He has also held leadership 

positions nationally. We value our partnership with NASUAD and other national organizations 

representing state Medicaid and MLTSS systems and have appreciated the leadership role Mr. 

Robertson has played nationally. During this time, our members and staff have had the pleasure 

of working directly with Mr. Robertson and have been impressed by his strong advocacy for the 

OAA, for improved LTSS delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs of individuals 

served by the aging and disability networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and 

quality improvement initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the 

launching of the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, and improved 

coordination with Oklahoma's aging and disability community-based organizations. 
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In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also 

has an extensive and distinguished history in the military. Lance spent nearly a decade in the US 

Army and Army Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable 

discharge in 1997. Lastly, we note that lance's experience includes leadership positions at 

Oklahoma State University, providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as 

education, training, and mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

We want to congratulate lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move 

towards a swift confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established 

relationships with state and federal partners, ability to work with a wide range of organizations 

and health care providers along with his passion for mentoring young and emerging 

professionals will be incredibly valuable in the ACL Administrator position. We look forward to 

continuing to partner with Mr. Robertson in his new role. 

Best regards, 

Rich Bringewatt 

SNP Alliance 

President and CEO 

750 9th Street, NW, Suite 6SO, Washington, DC :20001·4793 nc :202·204-7975 
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july 5, 2017 

Senator lamar Alexander 

3322 West End Avenue, #120 

Nashville, TN 37203 

Dear Senator Alexander: 

Please accept this letter as support for the confirmation of Mr. lance Robertson for the 

position of Assistant Secretary on Aging in the Administration on Aging within the 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Given his 22 years of work and leadership in the Aging and Disability Networks, lance will 

be an exceptional asset to the Administration on Aging. Plus being a Veteran helps 

make him an excellent choice for this significant and important position in addressing 

and meeting the needs of some of our nations' most vulnerable population as our 

society continues to age. 

The important work that you and the other Senators are doing related to healthcare is 

critical in addressing the health care needs of our citizens, especially our elderly citizens. 

The Assistant Secretary on Aging, through the long term care services and supports 

provided under the Older Americans Act, is able to help our elderly citizens remain 

healthier and independent through activities and programs offered by the Aging 

Network in each state. 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on Aging 

by voting to confirm him. It is critical he be confirmed quickly so he can begin to 

provide direction and leadership of the Administration on Aging and the programs that 

assist our nation's elderly, which includes our parents, grandparents, friends and 

loved ones as they age. 

Thank you for your support and confirmation of Lance Robertson as the Assistant 

Secretary on Aging. And, thank you for all you do In serving our state and our 

Assistant Commissioner and Chief of long Term Services and Supports 

Health Care Finance and Administration • 310 Great Circle Road • Nashville, TN 37243 
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Your Honor, 

In regard to the nomination for the Administrator of the Administration for Community 

Living/U.S. Assistant Secretary on Aging position, it is my hope that things are 

progressing satisfactorily. As President Trump surrounds himself with great leaders to 

shape a successful administrative team ! would ask you to support Mr. Robertson for the 

nomination mentioned above. I have known him for over 15 years and can witness to his 

integrity, authenticity and sincerity. Not only is he an avid advocate for Seniors, Native 

Americans and people with disabilities, he is an unfailing support to his family, the 

families in his community and families across the great state of Oklahoma. I believe you 

wilt be impressed with Mr. Robertson's sincere compassion and dignity as weU as discover 

a key personnel to the ACL team. 

Sincerely, 

Stephen T. Smith 

United Community Action 
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 

ANN SILVERBERG WILLIAMSON 

Executive Director 

DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES 

State of Utah 

GARY R. HERBERT 

00\'ernor 

SPENCER J. COX 

Lieutenant Gov.:mor 

June 30, 2017 

NBLS HOLMGREN 

Director 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

The Honorable Patty Munay 

United States Senate 

Washington DC 2051 0 

Re: Appointtnent of Lance Robertson as Administrator for the Administration for Community 

Living 

Dear Chainnan Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

As the Director of Utah's Division and Adult Services, I want to thank you for yom 

tremendous service to the nation and its With the new administration taking shape in 

Washington DC, I believe we have an op:portnrtity to better serve seniors the country. As you are 

aware, the federal agency responsible Services programs nationwide is the 

Administration for Community Living the of Health and 

Human Services. The Administration Community 

Administration on is overseen by the Administrator 

Health and Human 

Lance Robertson, who has been serving as Oklahoma's State Director for the past ten 

years, has been nominated to serve as Administrator for the for Community 

administration and military service, 

Lance has worked to serve his government services to provide 

maximum benefit to both the individuals served aud to tax payers. 

Lance is a past president of the National Association of States United for and Disabilities 

{NASUAD), which all states with to issues. has proven 

himself an etTective serving seniors state, as well as in 

providing approaches to his countcrpatis country. 

Lance has to efficiency, and common sense to Services 

programs, and I believe he would smart, compassionate, and pragmatic solutions in this 
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new role and, in doing so, would effectively balance the needs and priorities of both the states 

and the federal government. 

1t is my great to add my endorsement of Lance to those ofNASUAD and 

cotmterparts across the nation. With his I believe we have the op]portu11tity 

the efficiencies, and in government that are 

and which were so central to the discussion in the most recent election. I would 

out the of this smart, effective, and 

over his career and now has the om1ortun1tv 

even more to the benefit of our seniors. 

Please don't hesitate to have your staff contact me with 

this matter. I can be reached 

your service to our nation. 

Sincerely, 

Nels R. Ho.!m2cren 

Division Director 

Utah Division and Adult Service 

have regarding 

you for 

Office ofthe Executive Director, 195 North 1950 West, Salt I"alm City, Utall84H6 telepllolle (801) 538-4001 • 

facsimile (801) 538-4016 • www.lls.utal!.gov 
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.VERMONT 

The Honorable Bernard Sanders 

U.S. Senate 

332 Dirksen Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Senator Sanders: 

Commissioner's Office 

HC2South 

280 State Drive 

Waterbury VT 05671-2020 

Voice (802) 241-2401 

Fax (802) 241-0386May 12,2017 

It is my pleasure to offer this Jetter in support of the nomination of Mr. Lance Robertson to serve 

as the new Assistant Secretary and Administrator of the Administration for Community 

Living (ACL). Lance is as the Director of Oklahoma's Aging 

Services Division and is one directors in the country. 

In this role, he has led many quality that have 

sustained and strengthened his state's 

encouraging similar activities in other states. 

Mr. Robertson is highly regarded and has served for many years on the 

Board of Directors for our national the National Association of States 

United for Aging and Disabilities years, he has served as Treasurer, Vice 

President and President of the and has acted as a mentor for new state directors and other 

professionals across the aging and disabilities network. 

partm~rsltips across the fields of aging and 

receive services and 

served at the state and with demonstrated national 

with a deep understanding and appreciation for the 

challenges we,face at the state level. With his combined knowledge, experience and reputation 

for strong partnerships, lam excited about Mr. Robertson's deep commitment to fulfil!ing the 

mission of the ACL to maximize the well-being. and health of older adults, people 

with disabilities across the lifespan and caregivers and to achieving that 

mission in partnership with Vennont and the other states and territories. 
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OF VIRGINIA 

DEl'.UTMl!NT FOR AGING AND :UHAJilUTAT!VE SERVICES 

JAMES A. ROTHROCK 

Commissioner 

The HOl10r2lble 

U.S. Senator for 

July 10,20!7 

231 Russell Senate Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Senator Kaine: 

with Lance on a national board and saw firsthand not only his 

passion for the options we o!Jer our elders across our 

from ours and ·with his potential leadership, I am 

Please !end your to the nomination of Lance Robertson for the Assistant Secretary on 

As you know better most, it is critical that he he confirmed quickly so be can begin to 

direction and leadership of the Administration on and the that assist our 

nation's elderly, which includes our parents, ones as they 

Thank you for all you do for our state and of Lance will allow us to our 

efforts. 

With best regards to you and your stan: l am 
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Honorable Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

May31,2017 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Honorable Senator Murray, 

Please accept this 

Administrator and Assistant 

Lance has been one 

board of directors for 

(NASUAD). 

nomination of Mr. Lance Robertson to 

Administration for Community 

state direetors in 

n.>';""''"""'" of States 

services and supports 

who valuable services. His across the fields of aging, disability 

and the LTSS system will be a crucial Federal government. 

Sincerely, 

Bea Rector 

Acting Assistant Secretary 

DSHS: Transforming Lives 
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Justice 

Governor 

Dear Chairman Alexander: 

3.2017 

Robert E Roswa!l 

Commissioner 

Please my letter in of Mr. Lance Robertson's confirmation to the of 

Assistant on Aging the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health 

and Human Services. 

With his 22 years of work and teaoe!"Silllp 

ex•oep>t!onal asset to the Administmtion on 

choice for this and 

in 

experience and management is so 

imtmrtant work that you and the other Senators are related to healthcare is critical in 

orltir<>•«•rw the health care needs of our citizens, esr>eciall!y our elderly citizens. The Assistant 

Secretary on the and under the Older 

Americaus Act, 

activities and programs 

Please support the nomination of Lance Robertson tor the Assistaut Secretary on 

to confirm him. lt is critical he be confirmed so he can to 

Iea.aersntpoflhe Administration on and that our nation's elderly, 

our parents, grandparents, and they age. 
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Thank you for your 

And, thank you tor 

Commissioner 

in confim1ing Lance Robertson as the Assistant Secretary on Aging. 

you do serving our nation and its Senate. 
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Chairman lamar Alexander 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 

and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

July 10, 2017, 

Ranking Member Patty Murray 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, labor, 

and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

I am writing to support the nomination of Lance Robertson for the position of Assistant Secretary on 

Aging and Administrator of the Administration of Community Living at the United States Department of 

Health and Human Services. 

I am pleased that the nomination for this important position has gone to someone with such extensive 

experience in the aging and disability network. Lance has served as the Director of Aging Services in 

Oklahoma's Department of Human Services for nearly 10 years, and is currently the second-longest 

tenured state director in the nation. During Mr. Robertson's tenure in Oklahoma, he has been a strong 

advocate for the OAA, for improved LTSS delivery systems, and, most importantly, for the needs of 

individuals served by the aging and disability networks. 

Under his leadership, Oklahoma has engaged in a number of important modernization and quality 

improvement initiatives, such as the development of No Wrong Door intake systems, the launching of 

the National Core Indicators- Aging and Disability initiative, and improved coordination with 

Oklahoma's aging and disability community-based organizations. 

In addition to his leadership on aging policy and services at state and national levels, Lance also has an 

extensive and distinguished history in the military. Lance spent nearly a decade in the US Army and 

Army Reserves, accumulating over ten awards and ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1997. 

Lastly, I note that Lance's experience includes leadership positions at Oklahoma State University, 

providing direction and support to various aging programs as well as education, training, and 

mentorship to individuals entering the field of aging services. 

I want to congratulate lance on his nomination, and encourage the committee to move towards a swift 

confirmation. Lance's lengthy experience in the network, established relationships with state and 

federal partners, and his passion for mentoring young and emerging professionals will be incredibly 

valuable in the ACL Administrator position. I look forward to working with Mr. Robertson in his new 

role. 

Sincerely, 

William G. Kowalski 
110 

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American American 

Heart j Stroke 

Association Association~ 

iswtw· 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on HELP 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

May 30,2017 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on HELP 

United states Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

On behalf of the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, 

I would like to offer our strong support for the nomination of Brett Giroir, MD as the 

Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. He 

would bring important experience and expertise In public and population health, crftlcal 

care, and research innovation to !his position. 

Dr. Giroir is nationally and internationally recognized for his scientific expertise In both the 

basic and clinical aspects of Infectious diseases, endotoxernla, septic shock and thermal 

trauma, especially in pediatric populations. His work in defining the bases of cellular and 

organ dysfunction led to Important trials of putative therapeutic agents, and his critical care 

experience proved invaluable to multiple deliberative bodies as manifest by his selection to 

serve on Scientific Advisory Boards/Blue Ribbon Panels for the MD Anderson Cancer 

Center Moonshots Program, !he AA Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University 

of Michigan, !he US Dept of Veterans Affairs VA Choice Blue Ribbon Panel, the 2015 

George H.W. Bush China-US Relations Conference on Infectious Disease Preparedness 

and Response, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute as examples. He 

r"'.;i M';";'nn ""' Pm~mms DHie<·· has been a regular speaker at national and international conferences on multiple topics in 

"''·1

''' ''1 '

9

·"· critical care, and over the last decade on medical innovation, bioterrorism, national 

preparedness and public health, both national and as it affects international biosecurity. 

He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, Tropical Medicine, and Medical 

Ethics and Health Policy at the Baylor College of Medicine. 

White his productive career has involved both clinical practice and the research referred to 

above, he atso served as Chief Medical Officer and the Chief of Critical Care at Children's 

Medical Center of Dallas, Professor of Pediatrics end Associate Dean at !he University of 

Texas Health Center. He has also held several positions focused on public service, 

including serving as the Director of the Defense Sciences OffJCa at the Defense Advanced 

Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and !he Chair of the Defense Threat Reduction 

Agency (DTRA) Threat Reduction Advisory Committee Chemical and Biological Defense 

Panel. He subsequently served as Professor of Medicine and Engineering as well as CEO 

of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and served as Vtca Chancellor for Researoh at 

the Unlversily. His clinical work led to his developmant of a blotedhnology company thet 

focusses on treatments for !he infectious complications of cancer and cancer treatments. 
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PAUL KLOTI\!lAN,l\1.D. 

PRESIDENT AND CEO 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Education, 

and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Murray: 

May 1,2017 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor 

Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

On College of Medicine, a health science 

tier of academic institutions, I write to 

P. Giroir, M.D. of Texas to be Secretary 

and Human 

you know, tbe Offlee of the Assistant Secretary for Health oversees 12 core 

healfh offices including the Office of the Surgeon Genera! and the U.S. Puhlic 

Commissioned Corps well as I 0 regional health offices across the nation and J 0 

presidential and secretarial such, the ASH has a role only in 

generating evidence-based, information, but also in 

"'rrtn0r<h111< and coalitions to health across 

Center as its CEO, and most 

with Dr, Giroir for almost seven years, and can attest 

academic and federal government experience 

ac<:ornp!JsiJed physician-scientist who specialized 

officer at one of the nation's largest 

and oftwo endowed chairs at the 

Dallas. in Dallas, he led the 
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therapies for patients with cancer, bringing technologies discovered at my institution, Baylor 

College of Medicine, into advanced clinical trials for more than 100 patients. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Giroir has accepted extremely challenging assignments, such 

as directing the Texas Task Force for Infectious Diseases, which supplied real-time evidence 

based recommendations during the Ebola crisis in Dallas. He also chaired the Congressional 

Choice Act Blue Ribbon Panel to assess the VA Health System and provide recommendations to 

the Secretary and to Congress. 

On a personal note, he is an outstanding leader and an articulate spokesman. He was an 

essential partner on several new multi-institutional initiatives in the Texas Medical Center, the 

largest medical center in the world. 

A consensus builder, he can work with many different constituencies and he will be 

effective in bringing the research and medical communities together. He is collaborative and 

thoughtful and I have enjoyed working with him. 

I thank you in advance for your timely consideration of Dr. Giroir, and look forward to 

his favorable confirmation by the committee and full Senate in the near future. 

Paul Klotman, M.D. 

ONE BAYLOR PLAZA, SUITE 143A, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77030-34!! www.BCM.edu 
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May 17,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray: 

As President/CEO of one of our nation's leading children's hospitals and the incoming Chair of our national 

Children's Hospital Association, it's my distinct privilege to endorse Dr. Brett Giroir, President Trump's 

nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health. He has the credentials, breadth of experience, knowledge 

and innovative aptitude to be successful. 

Over the course of his career, Dr. Giroir's clinical excellence and compassionate care earned him the respect 

and admiration of colleagues, healthcare workers and patients throughout the medical community. His clinical 

and administrative experiences within the pediatric hospital setting has provided him with a deep appreciation 

for the challenges facing the Medicaid and underserved populations; experience and perspective that will prove 

invaluable to him in this important role. 

His impressive and distinguished career is both broad and diverse. He has served in numerous leadership 

capacities in both the public and private sectors, including large complex organizations, such as the Texas 

A&M University System where he served as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and President of the 

Health Sciences Center. ln his role as Vice Chancellor, he successfully led the Center for Innovation in 

Advanced Development and Manufacturing, a multi-million dollar public-private partnership with the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. Recognized as an expert in his field, he's led major initiatives for 

academic institutions, global corporations, as well as the U.S. Departments of Defense, Health and Human 

Services, and Veterans Affairs. 

In 2014 when Governor Rick Perry announced the creation of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease 

Preparedness to assess our state's ability to prepare for and respond to pandemic disease such as the Ebola 

virus, he named Dr. Giroir the director of the task force to lead a team of internationally renowned experts. 

The new Assistant Secretary for Health must be able to craft real, evidence-based solutions to the complex 

problems facing public health; I believe Dr. Giroir is that person. Because of his unique qualifications, he can 

make a positive and profound impact on our nation's public health. Thank you for your thoughtful 

consideration and for your own distinguished service to our country. 

Respectfully, 

Rick W. Merrill 

President & CEO 

Cook Children's Health Care System 
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Valerie M. Browning, Ph.D. 

Port Tobacco, MD 20677 

5/10/2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

and 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray, 

I am writing to you to provide my enthusiastic support for Dr. Brett Giroir's nomination as 

Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS). I have known Brett for more than 17 years and can attest 

to his extraordinary qualifications for this appointment. Brett embodies a rare combination of 

talent, intellect, experience, leadership, integrity, vision and commitment that would be 

challenging to find in another candidate. Our Government and the U.S. citizens it represents will 

be well served by your Committee's approval of Brett for the Assistant Secretary position. 

I first met Brett in 1999 while I was working as a Program Manager in the Defense Sciences 

Office (DSO) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Brett had recently 

accepted an appointment to the Defense Sciences Research Council, a study group that worked 

closely with DARPA technical personnel to find promising new areas for investment. He 

impressed me immediately with his enthusiasm and ability to work in technical areas outside of 

his core competencies. It was clear to me that his passion for innovation was exceeded only by 

his passion for improving the health and welfare of the U.S. warfighter. This passion served 

Brett well when he was appointed Deputy Director of DSO in 2004 and later promoted to 

Director DSO in 2007. Many groundbreaking initiatives that directly benefit the security of our 

Nation's health and wellness were started under Brett's tenure at DARPA. 

Brett left DARPA in 2008 and has continued to be prolific in his impactful contributions to 

human health and well ness on a global scale. His accomplishments and achievements in the 

commercial, Government and academic communities are well evidenced by his many awards 

and accolades. For his numerous contributions as a DoD civil servant he received the Secretary 
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of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service and for his academic leadership and 

entrepreneurship he received the Texas A&M University Award for Innovation. I have no doubt 

that, as Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS), Brett will continue to lead and innovate in ways 

that advance the HHS mission. 

While Brett's many professional qualifications and accomplishments are important factors tor 

the Committee to consider, I believe it is also important to recognize Brett's personal dedication 

and spirit of volunteerism. He and his family are well known for their participation with 

volunteer organizations such as Hope for Honduras that builds houses and runs clinics for the 

homeless in Central America. However, I would like to share with you a personal story that 

exemplifies the generous and compassionate side ofBrett's character. When I gave birth to my 

6'h child, a daughter, she quickly contracted a severe infection and was transported to the NICU 

at Children's National Harbor. The first two weeks we did not know if our daughter would 

survive. Anyone who has lived through this experience knows that, as parents, the feelings of 

helplessness and despair can be paralyzing. Brett took time out of his demanding schedule to 

come to the hospital and talk to Arnie's doctors and explain to my husband and I what was being 

done and why. I will be forever grateful for the time Brett took to visit us in the hospital. 

Having someone I knew and trusted explain what was happening made all the difference in my 

ability to stay strong and focused during this most difficult time. If you were to poll Brett's 

colleagues throughout his career in different positions, you would find many such stories. I 

believe it is important that you recognize this side of Brett as you consider his nomination. His 

empathy, selflessness, and loyalty are core qualities that have and will continue to guide his 

moral compass in making critical decisions that protect the health of all Americans. 

In summary, T strongly encourage your Committee to unanimously and expeditiously approve 

Dr. Giroir's appointment as Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS). If you have any additional 

questions regarding my familiarity with Brett's qualifications, or if there is anything else I can do 

to support his nomination, please feel free to contact me using the information provided below. 

Sincerely, 

\ 'L l c\ .. L~- p, I ~ 

Valerie M. Browning, Ph.D. _) 

Chief Technology Officer 

HELM System Solutions, Inc. 
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May 15, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

This email is in support of Dr. Brett Giroir who has been dominated to 

be the Assistant Secretary for Health in DHHS. 

You do not know me. I am the chairman of the Texas State 

Holocaust and Genocide Commission and am an expert speaker for 

the US department of State concerning matters of tourism security. I 

am sharing this information with you because I do not want you to 

think that I am sending this email in support of Dr. Brett Giroir as 

merely a friend, although I am lucky to have him as a friend. I know 

Dr. Giroir on three levels: (1) we have worked together at Texas A&M 

University, (2) as a friend, and (3) although he is not Jewish, as his 

"adopted" rabbi. 

There are few people who do not recognize Dr. Giroir's brilliance. 

What many people do not know however is his kindness, his devotion 

not only to his professional life but also to those who come in contact 

with him, and his patience. Dr. Giroir is a deep thinker. Rather than 

believing that he knows everything he lives by the ancient Midrashic 

motto: Eizehu chacham? Ha'lome micol adam! (Who is wise, the 

person who is capable of learning something from each and every 

person!). 

Dr. Giroir is also a patriot. One only has to chat with him for a few 

moments to determine how much he loves this country and how 
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privileged he feels to be able to serve our nation's citizens. He is a 

man who sees the human soul regardless of race, creed, religion, or 

nationality. 

Dr. Giroir would add not only brilliance to the Department of Health 

and Human Services but also an element of grace, caring, and 

patriotism. We in the United States are blessed to have such an 

outstanding human being among us. 

If there is any further information that I can share with you regarding 

Dr. Giroir please do not hesitate to ask me. 

Sincerely yours; 

t 

• 

Dr. Peter E. Tarlow 
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BILL FlORES MEMSfR OF CONGf1ESS 

17~11 D<Sf>'""' Tc<AC. 

ASSISTANT WHIP 

2440 RAYBURN HOIJSl:: 0HIU 8UIL01"G 

WASHINGTON, OC 20515 

http:!iflores.Hous.e.gov 

([:ongrtfis of tbt Wntttb ~tate~> 

j!Jou~t of 1\epre~entatil:lt!i 

~m>bington, )l!ll![ 20515-4317 

June 8, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and thus intimately involved with 

public health policy, I am writing to express my strong support for the nomination of Dr. Brett Giroir 

to be the Assistant Secretary ofHealth at the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Dr. Giroir has dedicated his career to advancing public health at both the federal and state level. He 

served as the Director of the Defense Sciences Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects 

Agency under former-President George W. Bush, where his contributions to public health research are 

unmatched. At DARPA, Dr. Giroir was instrumental in developing an Accelerating Critical 

Therapeutics program that explored new ways to produce large amounts of pharmaceuticals in support 

ofthe American warfighter. Moreover, Dr. Giroir has been recognized for developing numerous lifesaving medical technologies during his tenure at DARPA, including expanding mobile trauma 

stabili7.ation capabilities, discovering new therapeutics for pain control, and advancing new techniques 

for generating and storing blood products. 

l believe that Dr. Giroir is particularly well-equipped for the position due to his previous experience 

working with HHS. As a former CEO ofthe Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Dr. Giroir 

was instrumental in establishing the University's Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and 

Manufacturing. This $286 million public-private partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research 

and Development Authority (BARDA) at tlHS facilitates rapid research and development while 

mentoring the next generation of public health professionals. It now serves as a model for enhancing 

the nation's ability to develop life-saving countermeasures to respond to national and global health 

emergencies. 

Dr. Giroir also has strong ties to the state of Texas, where I have seen first-hand his commitment to 

supporting public and private investment in health research and advancing healtheare solutions that 

improve the lives of Texans. In 2014, then-Governor Perry commissioned Dr. Giroir to lead the Texas 
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Task force on Infections Diseases, where he critical science and policy recommendations 

during the North Texas Ebola threat. Dr. response in !he aftermath of the Ebola incident is 

indicative of how he views the role of the federal government in public health. It is a view I share, and 

one I believe that Secretary Price and President Trump share. After setting up two specialized Ebola 

treatment facilities and developing new protocols for detem1ining if and when someone should be 

quarantined, Dr. Giroir was quoted, "You do what you need to do. But it should be as least intrusive 

on people's lives and liberty as possible given what you know about the science." 

As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of American citizens, I cannot foresee a more 

appropriate perspective for the administration of public health in the United States. From his 

experience at the federal and state level, in academia, and in the private sector, Dr. Giroir is immensely 

qualified to lead alongside Secretary Price at the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Thank you for yourtimely consideration of Dr. Giroir's nomination and I look forward to his swift and 

favorable confinnation by the Committee and the full Senate. 

With great respect, 

Bill Flores 

Member of Congress 
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1

1 

Executive Office 

, of the President 

June 14.2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Alexander and Senator Murray: 

in support of the contlmmtion of Dr. Brett Giroir for the position of Assistant Secretary 

Human Services. I have known Dr. Giroir tor nearly five and worked closely 

tenure as the President and CEO of the Texas Center in Houston, 

2012 until April20l7, 

who is a natural born leader. He has demonstrated 

tenure at DARPA, Texas A&M University and as a valued 

member Texas Center Health Policy Institute and the Innovation Institute. Dr. Giroir 

has a wide and deep knowledge base in the domains of health biomedical research and life 

science innovation. He is an listener, dedicated and has consistently 

demonstrated the ability to make decisions, l cannot image a more qualit!cd and committed 

leader lo serve in this critically important leadership position lor our country. 

It is an honor to give Dr. Giroir my highest level 

comment on my assessment of his record and I vvi!l be 

your committee may have conceming my assessment 

President 

I appreciate the opportunity to 

to answer any questions that you and 

Robbins, MD 

The University of Arizona 
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June 5, 2017 

HELP Committee 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chainman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable 

Member, cnmrr1itt<"' on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray, 

is a letter of enthusiastic for Dr Brett Giroir, who is considered for 

r:n>1fin11:;ltinn as, Assistant Secretary of and Human Services. Although cannot comment 

on his extensive administrative success in industry and education, I can 

that Dr Giroir demonstrates uncanny vision, commands respect from clinicians, 

educators, and researchers, and confidence among all with whom he interacts. His 

lmr,,.,J,,fi~"" base and experience are remarkable. Based on interactions with Dr 

Giroir. can confirm his professionalism of accountability, and teamwork and 

leadership skills. 

and then Chief Medical Officer 

un1vRrsncv of Texas Southwestern 

translational research 

the leading cause of morbidity and mortality children around the world. 

oversight for a trial examining 

therapy for critically ill children 

he provided key 

protein C as 

200-211. Lancet 

Al first glance my observations of Dr Giroir relative to his appointment as Assistant <:oN<>~<>•~, 

Health and Human Services, may seem a bit esoteric. However, the of my narrative affirm 

that Dr Giroir a unique knowledge of health care from the to the bedside as well as 

the complex services that support this system. He is a critical thinker and effective 
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leader, who appreciates the crucial partnership between government, academia, and industry that 

drives research and development. When !learned of Dr Giroir's nomination for the position of 

Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, I was pleased as a physician, researcher, and 

citizen actively engaged in our health care system. Dr Giroir is someone whom I respect, trust, and 

personally recommend for this key leadership position. 

Sincere best wishes during your confirmation hearing deliberations. 

Pediatric Medicine 

Hospital, Harborview Medical Center 

University of Washington School of Medicine 
124 

ROBERT P. KADLEC, M.D. 

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July27,2017 

Senator Lamar Alexander 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Senator Patty 

Ranking Member, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 

cc: Rcpulbli(:an Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer, 

of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Member Murray, 

In advance of the scheduled confirmation of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

surJport cJftl1e nomination of Robert P. 

Sec:retary f01· Prep<~rec!ne:ss and Response (ASPR) at the 

Dr. Kadlec embodies every quality needed success in this position: 

the Special Assistant to the President for Health 

Bush and remained the transition to the Obama 

Administration. He is 

initiatives, like Homeland Security Pn~siC!en'tia! 

comprehensive int<~ragerJcy 

cor1gn~ss:ional staffer, 

pass the Pandemic and All-Hazards Pn)parectness 

responsible for preparedness and response 

• Technical knclWl<edge: 

relevant areas 

CXflerien(:e in three 

des1n1cl:ion; and 

Political We can of no other career servant who has reached 

across the to ensure that the work of the Leg!stan!ve and Executive Branches 

gets done, gets done well, helps and protect 
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The ASPR is one of the most important politically positions in the context of securing 

the health of the American We Dr. Kadlec for this role and encourage 

you to confirm him. We to with the new ASPR and with your committee in 

the near future to advance critical biodefensc initiatives. Thank you very much for your 

consideration. 

Sincerely, 

I. Lieberman, Chair Thomas J. Ridge, Chair 

Donna E. Shalala 

James C. Greenwood Kenneth L Wainstcin 
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INFORMAL AND HEALTH PREPAREDNESS 

July31,20l7 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman, Senate Committee Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty 

Ranking Member, Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 205!0 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, tbat have joined together as an informal coalition on 

biodefense and public health we write in support of the nomination of Robert 

Kadlec, MD, MS to be the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department 

of Health and Human Services (HHS). The position that Dr. Kadlec has been nominated to fill is 

of vital importance. 

Dr. Kadlec has a long history of publie service and strong expertise in public health policy, 

intelligence and preparedness. He spent 26 years as a career officer and physician in the United 

States Air Force, serving in several senior positions in the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the 

Department of Defense. Dr. Kadlec is currently the Majority Deputy Staff Director of the Senate 

Select Committee on Intelligence. 

Dr. Kadlec served as the Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Biodefense 

Policy on the Homeland Security Council, where he was responsible for conducting a biodefense 

end-to-end assessment, which culminated in drafting the National Biodefense Policy for the 21st 

Century. He also served as staff director for Senator Richard Burr's subcommittee on 

bioterrorism and public health in the 109th Congress. ln this capacity, he was instrumental in 

drafting the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. 

Dr. Kadlec's contributions to biodefence, biosecurity, health preparedness and response 

are a testament to his knowledge of issues facing HHS in securing a healthy future for all 

Americans. 

We urge swift confirmation of Dr. Kadlec as HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 

Response. 

Please contact any of the following individuals with questions: 
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Signed, 

American 

Association 

Association 

Biotechnology Innovation Organization 

National Association 

National Environmental 

Trustfor America Health 

U.S. Council 
128 

ELINORE McCANCE-KATZ, M.D. 

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May 3, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor 

and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray, 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, labor 

and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

On behalf of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine {APM), the professional organization for over 

1,300 Consultation-Liaison psychiatrists, we would like express our strong support for the nomination of 

Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., of Rhode Island to be Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and 

Substance Use Disorders in the Department of Health and Human Services. 

This new position involves an enormous responsibility. As we know, mental illness and substance abuse 

touch the lives of everyone: those personally affected their families, friends and society in general. In 

our subspecialty, we are particularly sensitive to the effect of these illnesses on all aspects of physical 

health. 

The charge for this new office is considerable, but the need is great: to coordinate fragmented 

resources, incorporate best practices into SAMHSA activities and help meet the needs of the 

underserved. 

Dr. McCance-Katz has already had an Impressive career and has distinguished herself both in academics 

as well as in the public arena, having had leadership roles both at SAMHSA and at many top universities. 

Her Intelligence, experience and energy make her the ideal person to meet the great challenges the role 

will entail. 

Having known Dr. McCance-Katz as a colleague in the past, I know that she also has the personal 

qualities, collaborative spirit and passion for her field that will make her successful in this role. 

I thank you in advance for your consideration of Dr. McCance-Katz, 

Sincerely, 
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May 5, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

U.S. Senate 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Alexander, 

On behalf of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Board of Directors and membership I am 

writing this letter of recommendation to enthusiastically support Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz for the 

position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. Dr. McCance-Katz has worked 

tirelessly at the state and federal levels to advance the prevention, identification and treatment of 

substance use disorders and mental disorders throughout her career. As a highly respected Addiction 

Psychiatrist with a long career in the private sector prior to her public service, Dr. McCance-Katz has a 

clear understanding of the correlation between mental disorders and substance use disorders and 

expertise in how to bridge the gap. From 2008 to 2009, Dr. McCance-Katz was president of AMP and was 

a powerful voice always first and foremost for all patients and in the education and training of healthcare 

professionals. Prior to becoming AAAP President she also held numerous leadership positions within the 

Academy, quite often addressing controversial topics that others avoided. Her steadfast commitment and 

passion to address challenges head on have proven to be vital to more effectively meeting the needs of 

our patients and impacting our communities and families. 
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As the former Medical Director of CSAT/SAMHSA, she is familiar with the issues that surround the 

current opioid misuse and overdose epidemic and has a comprehensive knowledge of healthcare 

policy matters. 

Her expertise, experience, and dedication make her exceptionally qualified for this position. 

Sincerely, 

President 
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l'n•hkm-l)ni 

l\.;orn Dim·cn \\'a!{nt'L \tD. PhD 

l.nm 0. g.._.lllnn, \fl) 

C.llHid!c .\. C:nhon. \It) 

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!{,-q,ifnJ i'db1' 1<>_\\L\ lh )!) 

Ct-n!l).c "But!" Y,ultl, I\', \11) 

The Honorable 

Chainnan 

Senate 

A 

455 Dirksen Senate 

Washington. DC 205 !0 

The Honorable Patty 

Ranking Member 

Education. and 

!54 Russell O!lice Building 

Washington, DC 205!0 

Disabilities and Hospitals. 

Committee 

Member Murray: 
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THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PSYCHOANALYSIS 

AND DYNAMIC PSYCHIATRY 

President 

Jennifer I. Dtn•mey. MD 

lmmedinte Past President 

Secretary 

Scott C. Sdnvartz~ 

NY 

Treasurer 

Trustees 

ElizaOOth Haase, MD 

New York NY 

Debra A. Katz. MD 

Lexington, KY 

McGill, MD 

York. NY 

Autumn Ning. MD 

Miami, fL 

MD 

Executive Diret"tor 

JtK~quelyn T. Coleman, CAE 

Executive Assistant 

L 

One 

Phone: {888) 691-8281 • 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 205!0 

\Vww.aapdp.org 

May4, 2017 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Member 

Cc>mluittee on Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 205!0 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray: 

'l'he American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, 

an affiliate organization of the American Psychiatric Association, 

strongly supports the nomination of Dr. Elinore McCance· Katz as the 

first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. 

An esteemed psychiatrist and seasoned administrator, Dr. McCanceKatz is highly qualified for this She has a wide range of 

experience in mental health snbstance abuse issues, including in 

the public sector well in medicine aud academia. 

We hope that Dr. McCance-Katz can be approved without 'l'he 

position of Assistant Secretary needs to be filled both for the of 

Americans with mental health problems and for those with substance 

abuse issues. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Very truly yours, 

,Jennifer I. Downey, M.D. 

President 
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Abuse nnd Mental Health Services Administration and other agencies. which 

,viJl v.;ork in cooperation with SATVIHSA 's mission. 

.:rbis. 

to provide our unqualified support for her nomination. It is 

n'"" '"''"" to in support or individuals, 

V•/e are making an 

and the needs of our 

provide the essential leadership 

needs in this domain as we to reverse the course of 

years. which has brought our country to cunent public health 

l urge you to confinn her nominution. I hope that these comments \vill he of help 

to you and your Senate colleagues during your deliberation. 

President 
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2017~2018 

Robinson, M.D., 

D.Psych. 

Robert N. Golden, M.D. 

Second Vice President 

John M. Oldham, M.O 

Board of Regents 

Past-President 

M M.D. 

2017-2020 

M.D. 

2015~2018 

A. Rummans, M.D. 

Donna M. Sudak, M.D. 

201~2019 

M.D. 

2017~2020 
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Of OBSTETRICIANS 

AND GYNECOLOGISTS 

July 28, 2017 

Elinore McCance-Katz, MD, PHD 

Chief Medical Officer 

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals 

14 Harrington Road 

Cranston, Rhode island 02920 

Dear Dr. McCance~Katz, 

Office of the President 

Haywood L Brown, MD, FACOG 

Congratulations on your nomination as the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders at the 

Department of Health and Human Services. Your experience treating patients struggling with mental health and opioid use 

disorders, combined with your public sector background, makes you quallfied to tackle the significant challenges, like the 

opiod epidemic in the United States, that this position requires you to address, 

This newly created position has a 

and Mental Health Services Adminsitration {SAMHSA), mental departments 

and agencies, and building the next generation of menta! health practitioners. You will also be tasked with focusing on the 

needs of underserved populations. 

Your leadership as the current Chief Medical Officer for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Hea!thcare, 

Developmental DlsabHities and Hospitals and as a Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University, as we !I as your experience as 

the lmmediate~past Chief Medical Officer of SAMHSA, shows your dediation to evidence-based mental health and substance 

use disorder treatment and sound pub!lc policy. We look forward to addressing these challenges with you collaboratlve!y. 

To tackle the opioid crisis, particularly when it comes to the unique needs of women and families, you w!ll play a vital role in 

ensuring the conversation remains squarely tn the public health space, More care providers 

connect patients struggling with substance use disorders to evidence·based treatment. 

closely with you on the implementation of the improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act {Sec. 501 of P .L 

114~198) that reauthorized the Pregnant and Postpartum Women {PPW) program at SAMHSA1 and encouraged the 

development of innovative treatment models that increase access to treatment We also look forward to partnering with you 

to implement and advance the recently released Protecting Our lnfants Act: 

exposure and treat opiold use d!sorder in pregnant women, on 

improving access to treatment for other menta! health 

depression, 

ACOG 

Haywood L Brown, MD, FACOG 

President 

health and substance use disorder treatment 

THE AMERICAN CONGRESS OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOlOGISTS • WOMEN'S HEAlTH CARE PHYSICIANS 

409 12TH STREET SW, WASHINGTON DC 20024-21-S:S 

Phone: 202/638-5577 Internet: http://www.acog.org 
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l'r!:!ii<!Jm1 

William Boi-,>rak<)f;, DO 

p_~ 

julw Krnix, DO 

~ 

Arlin Silbnman, DO, FAOAAM 

l.mm~.E!i.idml 

William R. Morrnnc, DO, FAOAAM 

/JQ;,J~ 

Peter Przekvp, DO, Phll 

William MuJllhy, DO 

Mabs~a M Barbosa DO 

Jost--ph Mastemick,. DO 

Gary Ruelas, DO, Ji'h,{) 

Marla Kushner, 1)0 

Resjdent Trustee 

Fn~ncesca McC'.af(rey 

Patt PresidMII Cmmctr Michael Brook~~-, pp, FA,OA/\M 

Anthony Dekket; Do, FAQAAM. 

Mru:!,'ll.rct Kotz,, OQ>; FAOA.j\M 

R. (iregoryi.:ande,)JO, FAQMM 

Margot Waitz, DO, FAOAAM 

Stephen A. W'yatt, OO,·l':AOAAM 

Executivebitr:ctor 

Nina Albano Vidmer 

May8,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Edueation, 

Laborand Pe11sions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

1'he Honota,ble Patty Mumiy 

Ranking Melt)],ler 

Committee <!n tiealth, Education, 

Labor and.Perisions 

United State&. Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray: 

1'he American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction .Medicine; a 

subspecialty of the American Osteopathic Association that represents 

more than 1oo,ooo osteopathic physicians and medical students, writes 

to indicate our enthusiastic support for the nomination of Elinore 

McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., of Rhode Island to be Assistant Secretary 

for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in the Department of 

Health and Human Services. 

Dr. McCance-Katz possesses a unique combipation of public sector and 

academic experience that focus on mental health and substance use 

disorders, which are critical for the position. 

We thank you in advance for your consideration of Dr. McCance-Katz, 

and we look forward to her favorable confirmation by the committee and 

full Senate soon. 

Sincerely, 

WilliamBograkos, DO 

President 

Nina Albano Vidmer 

Executive Director 

P.O. Box 3278 • Oak Brook • Illinois • 60522 • Phone: (708) 572-8006 • Fax: (708) 401-0360 • ww-w.aoaam.org 
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DFASAM 

April 2017 

American 

Addiction rv'"'mr·m<> 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray: 

On behalf of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), a national 

medical specialty representing more than 4,300 physicians and allied health 

professionals who specialize in the treatment of addiction, I am writing to 

express our support for Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz for the position of 

Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. 

Dr. McCance-Katz boasts significant expertise in psychiatry and addiction 

medicine, gained over decades of practice as a clinician, teacher, and 

researcher. Moreover, she has demonstrated her capability as an effective 

executive and civil servant as the head of a major state substance use 

disorder agency and the first Chief Medical Officer of the Substance Abuse 

and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Her combined 

medical expertise and executive experience uniquely qualify her to succeed 

as the first Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use. 

Additionally, Dr. McCance-Katz's background in addiction psychiatry will be 

especially valuable to this Administration as it seeks to combat the current 

epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths, We understand that she 

is passionate about expanding access to evidence-based, high-qual"lty care 

for people with addiction, including medication-assisted treatment for 

addiction involving opioid use. She is committed to improving education 

about addictive disease among all clinicians including physicians, 

pharmacists, nurses and, counselors, and through increasing specialty 

addiction physician fellowships, so that we can build a workforce with the 

capacity and expertise to close the current addiction treatment gap. We 

believe she is particularly well-suited to help inform the Administration's 

efforts to expand access to effective treatment for opioid addiction, a goal 

which we share with the President and Secretary Price. 
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Thank you in advance for your timely consideration of Dr. McCance-Katz's nomination. We hope that she 

will be quickly confirmed in the role of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and look 

forward to working with her and the entire Administration to advance sound policy related to addiction 

treatment and recovery. 

Sincerely, 

Kelly J. Clark, MD, MBA, DFAPA, DFASAM 

President, American Society of Addiction Medicine 
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DAB~W Association for Behavioral 

l-lealth and Wellness 

Advancing benefits and services 

in mental health, substance use 

and behavior change. 

June 26, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander, Chairman 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray, Ranking Member 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, 

I am writing on behalf of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) in support of the 

nomination of Elinore F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, for Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and 

Substance Use. We are encouraged by the establishment of this new position at the Department of Health 

and Human Services and believe that it will be an asset to the behavioral health field. 

ABHW is the national voice for companies that manage behavioral health and wellness serv.-es. ABHW 

member companies provide specialty services to treat mental health, substance use, and other behaviors 

that impact health. ABHW supports effective federal, state, and accrediting organization policies that 

ensure specialty behavioral health organizations (BHOS) can continue to increase quality, manage costs, 

and promote wellness for the nearly 170 million people served by our members. 

Dr. McCance-Katz's vast expertise in the behavioral health field will be a benefit in this position. We 

appreciate her recognition of the importance of providing evidence-based treatment and look forward to 

working with her to ensure access to medically necessary, evidence-based behavioral health care. 

Chief among the issues ABHW hopes to work with Dr. McCance-Katz on is 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) 

regulations. Part 2 federal regulations govern the confidentiality of drug and alcohol treatment and 

prevention records and are a barrier to integrated care. ABHW seeks to align Part 2 with the Health 

Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and 

operations to promote safe, effective, coordinated care for persons with opioid addiction and other 

substance use disorders. 

Thank you, and we look forward to working with you on behavioral health issues that come before your 

committee. 

Sincerely, 

CP~t\~ 

Pamela Greenberg 

President and CEO 

1325 G Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 I Tel202.449.7660 I Fax 202.449.7659 i www.abhw.org 
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Senator Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, labor and Pensions 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

April 24, 2017 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray: 

NEW JERSEY 

minds, 

Joseph A. Masciandaro 

Please confirm Dr. Elinore McCance Katz as Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use 

On behalf of Care Plus NJ, Inc., I am writing in support of the nomination of Dr. Elinore McCance Katz, as 

Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. For too long, SAMHSA, has pursued policy 

directions which are inconsistent with the needs of individuals who suffer from chronically, or 

temporarily disabling, mental illnesses. SAMHSA's emphases on models that promote "wellness and 

recovery" 1 or "peer supported, or directed treatment", and other similar initiatives, while appearing to 

promote the empowerment of people who suffer from serious neurobiological diseases, in fact, serve to 

limit access to care, including mandated treatment. 

Dr. McCance Katz would bring a science based approach to the treatment of mental illnesses, and 

hopefully reverse the course of decades of "de~institutiona!ization" which has resulted in the closure of 

hundreds of thousands of hospitals beds, and in the concurrent increase of jails and correctional 

facilities. Unde-r the guise of promoting civil liberties, this tragic failure of social policy has made 

abandoning people to the streets, to incarceration, and to abject poverty, a National disgrace. 

I strongly urge to confirm this nomination. 

Joseph A. Masclandaro 

President/CEO 

Care Plus NJ, Inc. 610 Valley Health Pfaza, Paramus, NJ 07652 

ph 201~265-8200 i I www.CarePiusNJ.org 
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-¥1JCADCP\ 

May4,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and our more than 5,000 

Cualitions, I would like to express how pleased we are that Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., 

has been nominated by the Trump administration to be the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and 

Substance Use in the Department of Health and Human Services. 

CADCA supports Dr. McCance-Katz's nomination because she understands the importance of drug 

prevention as a critical component to any national drug policy framework. As the frrst Chief Medical 

Officer of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Dr. 

McCan¢e~Katz is intimhtely aware of the effects of addiction on communities and has the relevant 

clinical experience to understand the physiological effects of substance use and abuse. As our country 

finds itself amid a devastating opioid epidemic, leadership in this area has never been more critical. 

CADCA believes Dr. McCance-Katz's knowledge, expertise and experience in dealing with the 

complex issues facing our country will serve her well as the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health 

and Substance Use. CADCA would also like to recognize and commend the work of the cllf(ent Acting 

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kana Enomoto, who demonstrated tremendous leadership in implementing 

effective drug prevention, treatment and recovery programs to tackle the pressing substance abuse 

issues facing our country. 

CADCA looks forward to working alongside the President and Dr. McCance-Katz to protect and build 

safe, healthy and drug-free communities throughout America. We thank President Trump for 

nominating Dr. McCance-Katz and urge a swift vote and confirmation. 

Sincerely, 

~1-b.R~ Arthur T. Dean 

Major General, U.S. Army, Retired 

Chairman and CEO 

Community A.nt~Orug Coalitions of America 

625 Slaters lane. Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314 

P 703-706-0560 F 703·706-0565 1-l!()(}S4-<:AOCA cadca.org 
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May 25, 2017 

International Assoclatlon of Chiefs of Pollee 

44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 200 

Alexandria, VA 22314-2357 

p , 703·836·6767: 1-800-THE IACP 

F' 703·836·4543 

www.thetACP.org 

The Honorable l amar Alexander 

Chair 

Committee on Heath, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Heath, Education, Labor and Pensions 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Alexander and Senator Murray: 

As President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). I am writing to express my strong 

support for the nomination of Dr. Elinore F. McCance-Katz to be the next Assistant Secretary for M ental 

Health and Substance Use at the Department of Health and Human Services. Given the challenges that 

law enforcement officers face during interactions with individuals with substance abuse and/or mental 

health issues, the position of Assistant Secretary is one of great importance to the law enforcement 

community. 

Dr. McCance-Katz brings to this position a unique blend of public service experience at both the federal 

and state level as well as a strong academic background. I am certain that Dr. McCance-Katz's years of 

service and understanding of the important role law enforcement plays in addressing substance abuse 

and mental health issues will allow her to work successfully and collaboratively with Jaw enforcement as 

we jointly identify solutions that address these critical issues. 

I firmly believe that Or. McCance·Katz's years of experience, her expertise, and her record of success 

are evidence of her outstanding qualifications to serve as t he Assistant Secretary for Mental Health 

and Substance Abuse. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, 

;J)-!211'~ 

Donald W. De Lucca 

President 
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Ml 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chainnan 

9 May2017 

United States Senate Committee on Health, Education. Labor & Pensions 

835 Hart Senate Office Building 

Washington. DC 205 10 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

United States Senate Committee on Health. Education. Labor & Pensions 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

I am writing to extend my support for Dr. Elinore McCancc·Katz. nominee for Assistant Secretary 

for Mental Health and Substance Use of the Department of Health and Hwnan Services (HHS). 

The Manhattan Institute (MI} is a free market think tank focused on a range of domestic policy issues 

including public safety and hcalthcare. Through our decades of research on how to preserve and 

strengthen the social order here in New York City, we understand the great challenges our nation 

continues to face with mental illness. We were strongly supportive of the provisions in last year's 21• 

Century Cures Act that redirected federal mental health policy towards a greater focus on serving the 

most seriously mentally ill. We look forward to following the successful implementation of this 

important new legislation and belie,·e that Dr. McCance-Katz is well-positioned to lead that effort in 

the newl)-crcated role of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at HHS. 

We base this judgment in large measure on the breadth of her experience: decades of worX in the 

substance abuse and mental health fields as a clinician, teacher. and researcher, and substantial public 

service at the executive level at both the federal and state levels. In addition, when our senior staff 

and several of our scholars met with Or. McCance-Katz earlier this year. we were particularly 

impressed by her strong conviction about the need for major reform at U.S. Substance Abuse and 

Mental Health Services Administration. where she once worked as chief medical officer. 

I am confident in her nomination and urge you to support her confirmation. 

Sincerely. 

cl ""'! Jr;U?-< 

Larry Monc 

President 

Manhattan lnSUIU1e 52\landltbllt Avenue NewYOf1t. NY 10017 212.sgg.1ooo mar-i\iltt...-.,stltvte.org 
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May 2, 2017 

Senator Lamar Alexander, Chair 

Senator Patty Murray, Ranking Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington DC 20510 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray: 

As President and CEO of Mental Health America (MHA), the nation's oldest mental health advocacy 

organization, I am writing in support of Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz as Assistant Secretary for Mental 

Health and Substance Abuse. 

For more than a century, MHA (first as the National Committee for Mental Hygiene and later as the 

National Mental Health Association) has worked to improve mental health services in the nation, 

focusing on prevention, early intervention, integrated services, and recovery. Founded by Clifford Beers 

-who would today be known as a "peer"- we have focused consistently on meeting the needs of our 

children, on taking mental health treatment out of jails and prisons, and on putting mental health 

services under the direction of mental health professionals. We see mental health as an essential part of 

overall health, and created our nation's signature mental health awareness event- May is Mental 

Health Month- back in 1949. 

Dr. McCance-Katz is an experienced clinician and public administrator, with experience in San Francisco, 

Washington, D.C., and Rhode Island. During her time in California and Rhode Island, she worked to 

conceptualize and implement community-based systems of care that move people away from court 

houses and jails. She understands that many individuals in public hospitals and jails arrive as forensic 

patients, many for minor, non-violent offenses. She understands the need to stop this prison-to-hospital 

pipeline. 

She also understands, as did ourfounder- who gave rise to modern mental health advocacy- the 

importance of the peer voice and perspective. In her recent work, she included peers as important 

participants- along with traditional behavioral health clinicians- in the development and 

implementation of effective systems of care. These systems of care recognize that peers as care team 

members who have unique qualifications and experience offer the kinds of wrap-around supports that 

people with mental illnesses often need along pathways to recovery. 

Dr. McCance-Katz has a recovery-oriented approach to treatment. She is not content with a custodial 

care ceiling on services to people with behavioral illnesses, and understands that job training and 

housing supports are critical parts of recovery-oriented systems. She also appreciates the importance of 

early identification and intervention for children and adults, and has been a supporter of RAISE. 
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1.1. 

Skphen H. Knee, Esq. 

Craig W. Alexander, Esq. 

Jacqueline L. CusJck, Ed. D. 

jeffrey Heller, CPA 

BcaShcnnar: 

\VilHan\ Michael Barbee 

Blau, Esq. 

Elaine Braff, M.P.S. 

Harold L Braff, Esq. 

Lat-vrence K Drill, ArA 

Beth Furman, CPA 

Richard Harty 

Christine Hsieh 

Joao Magalhaes, Esq. 

Phyllis Mechanic 

Riskin, Ph.D. 

David Sllverstrom, OD.S 

Brigitte Wolkoff, Ph.D. 

Jerry Harwood 

April 24, 2017 Robert N. Davison,. NLA, l .. P.C 

Senator lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Re: Please confirm Dr. Elinore McCance Katz as Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and 

Substance Use 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray: 

The Mental Health Association of Essex County, Inc. located in Montclair, New Jersey serving over 

5000 individuals and families, is a private non-profit community mental health agency whose 

mission is to treat mental illness, with the integration of physical healthcare, to Improve the care 

of lndlvlduals with menta! illness, and to remove the stigma associated with emotional and menta! 

disorders. As a community organization, we accomplish our mission through :advocacy, education! 

prevention1 early intervention, treatment and service. As such we strongly support the 

nomination of Dr. EHnore McCance Katz to be Assistant Secretary of Menta! Health and Substance 

Abuse. 

Dr. McCance Katz understands the priority of treating people with serious mental illness and 

supporting their families, including understanding the importance of family involvement. She has 

had significant success in government which will be useful in developing the office of the first 

Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. As the former Chief Medical Officer of 

individuals with serious mental 

illness, not to mention the human arrest, incan:eration, violence and 

suicide. She understands that mental illnesses are real and that treatment is fundamental to any 

recovery. 

For these reasons and many morel support Dr. Elinore McCance Katz's nomination without 

lf 1 can be of any other assistance with regard to this matter please do not hesitate to 

Robert N. Davison, M.A., l..P.C. 

07042 P: 973-509-9777 F: 973-509·9888 

Mental po<;sible. 
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Senator Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

455 Dirksen Senate Olilce Building 

Washington, D.C. 205!0 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 205!0 

April 24, 2017 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray: 

Please confirm Dr. Elinore McCance Katz as Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use 

Mental Illness Policy Org., is an independent, non-rJar:tisa:n think-tank on policies to improve care for 

people with serious mental illness. We are of and people with serious 

mental illnesses. We the nomination of Dr. McCance Katz to be Assistant 

Secretary of Mental Use. 

It would be hard to find someone more qualified to further your agenda of improving services for the 

seriously mentally ill and reducing substance abuse. 

will be useful in creating the oftke of the first 

Health and Substance Use. She is an expert in substance abuse, one of 

is dedicated to addressing. And as former Chief Medical Officer of 

uuuc'""""" the dysfunction at that agency that is causing skyrocketing rates of 

homelessness, arrest, incarceration of people with serious mental illness. 

at SAMHSA and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) which we 

uucuJ.u~m<:u in "Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Fails the Mentally Ill" and on 

our website (mentalillnesspolicy.org/samhsa) is a primary focus of our advocacy. We can 

confirm what Dr. McCance-Katz wrote in Psychiatric Times. At SAMHSA 

There is a perceptible hostility toward psychiatric medicine: a resistance to addressing 

the treatment needs of those with serious mental illness and a questioning hy some at 

SAMHSA as to whether menta] disorders even exist---for example, is psychosis just a 

"different way of thinking for some experiencing stress?" 

She correctly identified tbe main culprit: 
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April 25, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Member 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor & 

Pensions 

on Health, Education, Labor & 

U.S. Senate 

Pensions 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 

RE: Nomination of Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMl), lam writing in support of the 

nomination of Dr. Ellie McCance-Katz to serve as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and 

Substance Abuse Disorders. Dr. McCance-Katz is a Board-certified physician in General 

Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and has more than 25 years as a clinician, 

researcher and teacher. Her most recent is Chief Medical for the Rhode Island 

Department of Behavioral Health, Disabilities & 

experiencing co-occurring mental will serve her well 

new role. 

There is a well-documented need for 'wmt1c~<1nt improvement in mental health and substance use 

disorder care in our country. At a time opportunity and NAM!looks forward 

to working with Dr. McCance-Katz on rmnrnvrrw 

with mental illness and substance use disorders for ensuring 

supports that help people successfully manage their conditions 

communities. 

lives in their 

NAMlis 

following 

that under Dr. McCance-Katz, priority will be placed on achieving the 

critical goals: 

1. early identification and intervention in the treatment and other 

mental conditions. The NIMH RAISE studies show that "'""'rl;no,~rl 

(CSC) services and supports in First Episode 

quality-oi~life outcomes compared to care. the research shows that the 

treatment, the better the outcomes. Fortunately, federal leadership has 

foster of these effective, evidence-based programs across the 

that eflorts to spread CSC First Episode Psychosis will continue 

strengthen coming years and, ultimately. change the course mental illness for 

future generations. 

2, mental health ami substance use disorder care in overall health care. For far 

mental health, substance use and physical health systems have operated separately, 

coordination shared The consequences costly and disastrous, 
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both for with mental illness and substance use disorders and for with medical 

disorders mental health and substance use disorders go and untreated. In 

recent years, progress toward integration of care has been made. but much more is needed to 

ensure that are screened, assessed, and engaged in effective treatment, 

co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. We hope that 

Dr. McCance-Katz will continue and strengthen federal leadership in this area, as well. 

Reducing tragic consequences resulting from inadequate mental health and substance 

use disorder services, including suicides, lwmelessness ami incarceration. Strong federal 

leadership is needed to promote collaborative efforts to reduce incarceration, home!essness 

and suicides by providing effective and timely services and supports. Coordination is needed 

between key federal agencies with responsibilities in these areas. the Department 

of Health and 11umru< Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Labor, the Veterans 

Administration and others. ln addition to coordination, significant effort is needed to promote 

effective, intensive interventions and to align financing of services in ways that promote wide 

implementation. We that Dr. McCance-Katz will a key role in such efforts 

within HHS and other federal agencies. 

NAM! appreciates the 

forward to working 

ahead. 

Sincerely, 

Mary Gi!iberti. J.D. 

to communicate our support for Dr. McCance-Katz and looks 

with her on implementing these important priorities in the years 

Chief Executive Officer, NA,Ml 
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Senator Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

April 24, 2017 

Dear Senators Alexander and Murray, 

NAMI Buffalo & Erie County strongly supports Dr. Elinore· McCance Katz, MD, PhD, whose credentials 

are impeccable, to be Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use. Her previous position of 

authority at SAMHSA as Chief Medical Officer provided her with the opportunity to raise serious 

concerns about the agency's bias against the 10 million seriously mentally ill in this country. Her 

leadership in sounding the alarm about SAMHSA's dysfunction makes her an outstanding choice for this 

position. 

While serving at SAMHSA, DL McCance·Katz influenced national recommendations for opioid addiction 

treatment, and labored to preserve protected class status for antipsychotic and antidepressant 

medications. She collaborated with states to increase testing for hepatitis c- a condition that affects 

Yours truly, 

M. Venuto 
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July 27, 20 !7 

Senator Lamar Alexander 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washine,>ton, D.C. 20510 

Senator 

154 Russell Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

On behalf of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors 

(NASADAD), I am of the nomination of Elinore F. McCanceKatz, MD. PhD as the for Mental Health and Substance Use 

within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Dr. McCance-Katz's for substance use 

disorders, clinical and HIV disease 

and addiction. Her clinical interests are the treatment of those co-occurring 

substance use disorders, infectious diseases such as H!V and hepatitis C virus 

(HCV), and mental illness. Her deep understanding of substance use disorders is 

crucial in the midst of our nation's opioid crisis. 

ln addition to her vast clinical and research Dr. McCance-Katz has 

for the Substance and Mental Health Services 

as the first Chief Medical Officer. This 

unique familiarity with SAMHSA 

Secretary. 

With over 25 years of experience as a clinician, teacher, and clinical researcher, 

support the con!1rmation of Dr. McCance-Katz to serve as the 

for Mental Health and Substance Use. We look forward to 

as the nomination process moves forward. 

Robert Morrison, 

National Association 

Drug Abuse 
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April27, 2017 

Hon. Lamar Alexander 

Chairn1an 

Senate Health Education 

Labor and Pensions Committee 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Hon. Patty Murray 

Ranking Democratic Member 

Senate Health Education 

Labor and Pensions Committee 

154 Russell Senate Office Bldg. 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Re: Support for Nomination of Dr. Elinore McCance-Kalz to be Assistant 

Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

organization $41 billion public 

mental health service million people annually in 50 

s1ates, 4 tetTilories, and the to express its support for 

the nomination of Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz to be Assistant of the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

should satisfy recent 

Dr. McCance-Katz 

and Addiction Psychiatry 

of clinical experience in the illness and substance 

co-occurring medical disorders. and executive 

clinical settings. Her extensive experience with 

medtc:atton-·as;ustecttreatment for substance use disorders and pain management in 

care settings should serve the Tmmp Administmtion well as it leads the 

national epidemic. Further. 

means that she will familiar the 

from the minute she walks in the front door. She has also served 

Institute of Health-funded psychiatric 

research the importance of evidence-based 

ex11eriencerl in with and lor state 

in Rhode California, Connecticut, and 

forward to Dr. McCance-Katz's working with 

three Centers to implement the key behavioral health provisions of the 2!" Century 
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Cures Act in a manner that achieves 

to address the specific treatment needs 

in each state. 

goals while also maintaining state flexibility to be able 

"'"'"'"ua» with serious mental illness and substance use disorders 

For these reasons. support the choice of Dr. McCance-Katz to lead SAMHSA. 

Please feel free to contact NASMHPD's Director of Policy and Communications, Stuart Yael Gordon, at 

ii1l!!!!Il,g£lli1QIItti!ill'Jmll!1£1,.Ll£J'\ or 703-682-7552, with any questions regarding this letter of support. 

With respect and appreciaiion for the opportunity to support Dr. McCance-Katz's nomination, 

Brian Hepbum, M.D. 

Executive Director 

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) 
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May8,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor & 

Pensions 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Health, Education, Labor & 

Pensions 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, O,C. 20510 

Elinore McCance~ Katz to be Assistant Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

I am writing on behalf of the National Council for Behavioral Health to express our unqualified support for 

Dr, Elinore McCance·Katz to serve as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders 

within the Department of Health and Human Services. Congress recently created this position in 

recognition of the tremendous need for federal leadership and vision to improve the lives of individuals 

and families living with serious mental illness and addiction issues across the United States. Dr. McCance" 

Katz's years of extraordinary dedication to these causes make her uniquely qualified for this position. 

Dr. McCance-Katz will 

Commerce Committee, PS'IChoJogistTimo,th\• Murr,hv, 

SAMHSA meant to improve the 
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Dr. Elinore McCance~ Katz is the right person to address the challenges that will confront the Assistant 

Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. I thank you for considering her for this 

important position, and when confirmed, I look forward to working with Dr. McCance-Katz to build 

healthier and safer communities. 
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25,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Member Murray, 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Member 

Senate Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washirulto,n. DC 20510 

With great I write to offer the fllll support of the Treatment Center for the 

nomination of Elinor McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, to become the first assistant secretary for Mental 

Health and Substance Use. The Treatment Advocacy Center Senate Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions Committee to approve nomination !md move it to the Senate floor. 

health and academia. She well 

to tederal programs with serious 

mental illness and to the landmark mental health reforms 

Her expertise will be invaluable in addressing the two American mental 

- the treatment of individuals with serious mental illness and the opioid In her 

position as chief medical officer in the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, 

Disabilities and Dr. McCance-Katz oversees the treatment of all 

individuals with serious mental illness in the state, including patients in the state M'"'h'~"··~ 

in Cranston. ln addition, 

addiction, 

also on the Board of Directors 
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Most importantly, Dr. McCance-Katz understands mental health systems and has a proven record 

we:nt!!Ying system and how best to address them. For two years, she served as Chief 

Medical Officer at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; she knows 

the agency and is qualified to address its well-doctunented shortcomings. In her present 

in Rhode Island, she has navigated and overseen of the state's federal 

block grant as well as the federal Medicaid, Medicare, Income, and Social 

Insurance programs. Her eX!Jen.em;e 

immediately in her federal coordinating role, aware of both the limits of the federal government 

and the importance of state and county engagement. 

For the first time in half a century, our nation is to address the broken mental health 

system. The created assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use is of central 

inn1nr1'~m"' to the success of these efforts. On behalf of those with severe mental illness, their 

fan1ilies and all of those the failures of our current mental health system, the 

.1-\UlVU'cacv Center supports the nomination of Dr. McCance-Katz with great enthusiasm 

and without reservation. 

John Snook 

Executive Director 

Treatment Aavn<~acv Center 
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University of Colorado 

Anschutz Medical 

Schoo! of Medicine 

April 30, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander, 

Department of Family Medicine 

Aurora, CO 80045-0508 

Office: 303-724-9700 

Office Fax 1: 303~724-9747 

Office Fax 2: 303-724-9746 

www.ucdenver.edu/fami!ymedicine 

I am writing with enthusiastic support of Dr. Elinore McCance Katz's nomination and 

confirmation to the position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. ! have 

known Dr. McCance Katz for over 15 years and served as the Associate Medical Director of the 

Health Practitioners' Intervention Program in Virginia under her direction when she was the 

program's Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director. During that time, I was also assisted 

Dr. McCance Katz in several of her research projects involving drug interaction studies and 

cocaine pharmacotherapy research. 

With this perspective, I can attest to her impeccable cradentials as a clinician, researcher, 

administrator, teacher as well as her integrity, compassion, forthrightness and incredible 

knowledge of the complexity of issues in mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. 

McCance Katz's unbridled skills and talent would be welcomed in any medical setting whether 

that is an academic, private sector, or public arena. She has never chosen a path related to 

financial or personal enrichment, but rather positions that offer the challenge to improve the 

lives of many suffering with mental health and substance disorders. 

As a practicing Addiction Medicine specialist and founding director of University of Colorado's 

Addiction Medicine Fellowship, I know first hand of the enormous obstacles confronting our 

patients and the providers caring for them. It is heart-wrenching to watch as young patients with 

severe co-morbid substance use disorder and psychiatric disease repeatedly admit to the 

hospital for acute life-threatening medical problems related to their substance abuse. It is all the 

more disheartening when they die of their disease. This is a direct by-product of not receiving 

the level of mental health and substance abuse treatment that their underlying disorder dictates. 

It is challenging to overcome burdensome regulations surrounding the care of these patients 

that stretch the limits of an overwhelmed workforce and serve to hamper rather than enhance 

patient care. I believe Dr. McCance Katz is aware of the challenges and opportunities that exist 

to improve the care of patients that are so desperate for help. 

Dr. McCance Katz is the right woman, at the right time, for this position. I strongly urge you to 

confirm Or. Elinore McCance Katz for Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance 

Use. 

Sincerely, 

Patricia A. Pade, MD FASAM 
163 

JEROME ADAMS, M.D. 

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July 28,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

We, the undersigned organizations, write to express our support for the nomination of Dr. 

Jerome Adams as the next United States Snrgeon General. 

One of the gravest health challenges facing onr nation is the rising prevalence of physical 

inactivity in the U.S. population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

indicates that poor diet and physical inactivity cause over 400,000 deaths each year. The office 

of Surgeon General has played an important role in promoting health and wellness in America. 

For example, the recently released Call to Action on Walking and Walkable Communities was 

developed to increase levels of physical fitness for all Americans. In the Call to Action, it was 

recognized that regular physical activity, such as walking, helps people of all ages improve their 

health. 

Dr. Adams' background and career experience uniquely qualify him to tackle the difficult 

problems facing our nation and continue the legacy of previous Surgeons General to get 

Americans moving again. In addition, as the Indiana State Health Commissioner, Dr. Adams has 

addressed many difficult situations with an expertise that highlights his abilities to work with 

many different constituencies. 

As our nation faces an ever-changing health care system, Dr. Adams is well equipped to lead our 

nation's health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Our organizations are dedicated to 

promoting an active, healthy lifestyle for all Americans, and we support the nomination of Dr. 

Adams as the next United States Surgeon General. 

Sincerely, 
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America Walks 

American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine 

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine 

American College of Lifestyle Medicine 

American College of Sports Medicine 

American Kinesiothcrapy Association 

American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine 

Bike Walk Action 

Clinical Exercise Physiology Association 

Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association 

Hcalthcare Leadership Council 

International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association 

International Association for Worksite Health Promotion 

Lakeshore Foundation 

League of American Bicyclists 

Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance 

Medical Fitness Association 

National Association of County and City Health Officials 

National Athletic Trainers' Association 

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity 

National Recreation and Park Association 

National Strength and Conditioning Association 

National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute 

North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine 

Pop Warner Little Scholars 

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy 

Safe Routes to School National Partnership 

Sports & Fitness Industry Association 

The Industrial Athlete. Inc. 

Trust for America's Health 
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ACOG 

THE AMERICAN CONGRESS 

OF OBSTETRICIANS 

AND GYNECOLOGISTS 

July 14, 2017 

Jerome M. Adams, MD 

Indiana State Health Commissioner 

2 North Meridian Street 

Indianapolis, IN 46204 

Dear Dr. Adams: 

Office of the President 

Haywood L Brown, MD, FACOG 

Congratulations on your nomination to be the 20'h Surgeon General of the United States. Your 

nomination to be America's Doctor offers a tremendous opportunity for you to affect positive change on 

the health and well-being of women and all individuals throughout the Nation. 

The leadership you have shown in addressing the opioid crisis, the State's HIV outbreak, and the 

importance of Medicaid expansion coverage provides us with confidence in your ability to tackle our 

Nation's most pressing health issues and respond to emergencies that may arise during your tenure. We 

share these priorities and hope that you will continue to spotlight these and other issues of importance 

to women's health as our next Surgeon General. 

The Nation's opioid epidemic has had a direct impact on our patients, and overdose and suicide are now 

the leading causes of maternal mortality in a growing number of states. We look forward to working 

closely with you on our shared goal of combating this ongoing public health crisis, and appreciate your 

recognition of the importance of the mother-infant dyad and the necessity of ensuring that opioid use 

during pregnancy remains squarely in the public health space. 

Reducing health disparities is another key area of shared interest. Women of color experience high rates 

of health outcome disparities. African American women have a 3.4 times higher mortality ratio than 

white women, a discrepancy we must address. 

AOOG looks forward to working with you to advance these and other important women's health issues. 

We hope you will view us as a valuable resource and trusted partner as we work toward our shared 

goals of improving the lives of our patients, our communities, and our Nation. 

Sincerely, 

Haywood l. Brown, MD, FACOG 

President 

THE AMERICAN CONGRESS OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS • WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS 

40912TH STREET SW, WASHINGTON DC 20024-21SS 

Phone: 202/638-5577 Internet: http://www.acog.org 
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~r:!j~~ ASSOCIATION ~ ~ 

July 12,2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate Health, Education, Labor and 

Pensions Committee 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

JAMES L. MADARA, MD '',F 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

ama-assn.org 

Senate Health, Education, Labor and 

Pensions Committee 

428 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

The American Medical Association (AMA) is very pleased to offer our strong support for the nomination 

of Jerome Adams, MD, to serve as Surgeon General of the United States, Public Health Service. 

As lndiana State Health Commissioner since 2014, Dr. Adams has organized and led effective responses 

to a number of serious public health threats. In response to an opioid epidemic and related HIV outbreak 

in his state, Dr. Adams has worked with the medical profession to combat overprescribing, facilitated a 

needle exchange program to help stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, and led efforts to build and 

sustain HIV testing, treatment and counseling capabilities in the affected areas. As Co-chair of the 

Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative Governing Council, he has also championed efforts 

to reduce infant mortality. When patients who had contracted Ebola in an African epidemic began to 

appear in the United States, he spearheaded a monitoring program for returning travelers. 

Dr. Adams received a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of California-Berkeley and a 

medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he currently serves as an assistant 

professor of anesthesiology. He has also maintained an active clinical practice on the staff at Eskenazi 

Health, where he is chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. He has played an active role in 

organized medicine, including terms on the boards of the Indiana State Medical Association and the 

Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists and as a member of the AMA's House of Delegates. 

The AMA believes that Dr. Adams would bring unique experience and energy to the office of the 

Surgeon General. We look forward to his prompt consideration and confirmation in the Senate. If we can 

be of assistance in achieving that goal, please contact Aiken Hackett, Division of Congressional Affairs, 

at (202) 789-7432 or el1~tLllil<'J-'.tlil'!l.l.!il.::iL'C\I],()Xg. 

Sincerely, 

/-

James L. Madara, MD 

AMA PLAZA I 330 N. WABASH AVE. ] SUITE 39300 I CHICAGO.Il60611·5885 
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AMERICAN fj PSYCHIATRIC 

ASSOCIATION ,. 

.lilli''\Jbn.V:\ 722Yl 

Board of Trustees 

2017-2018 

RoatrPed2. ~~D. 

R\l'].n;~ B:!'lL~'1fi 

Assembly 

2017-2018 

Administration 

July 18, 2017 

Senator lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate HELP Committee 

Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Rm. 428 

First and C Streets, N.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Senate HELP Committee 

Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Rm, 428 

First and C Streets, N.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray: 

On behalf of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the national medical 

specialty society representing more than 37,000 psychiatric physicians nationwide, 

we write to express strong support for the nomination of Dr. Jerome Adams to the 

position of U.S. Surgeon General. As the "nation's doctor," the Surgeon General is 

tasked with providing the public with the best available scientific information about 

how to improve their health and prevent illness or injury. The Surgeon General 

also serves as the Chair of the National Prevention Council, which leads several 

executive departments with respect to their prevention and well ness activities. We 

believe Dr. Adams is highly qualified to meet the demands of this position. 

Dr. Adams holds a master's degree in public health from the University of California 

at Berkeley and a medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. 

An anesthesiologist in his practice, Dr. Adams also serves as an Associate Professor 

of Clinical Anesthesia at the Indiana University School of Medicine. 

Since 2014, Dr. Adams has served as the Indiana State Health Commissioner. In 

this role, Dr. Adams demonstrated a willingness to make prudent health policy 

decisions to best meet the health needs of all Indianans. For example, in response 

to public concerns about the spread about the Ebola virus in 2014, Dr. Adams used 

his position to dispel common myths about the virus. In 2015, in response to a 

sudden outbreak of HIV in certain rural Indiana communities, Dr. Adams led the 

state's efforts to investigate the cause of the outbreak and create a needle 

exchange program to stem the spread of the disease via unsanitary needles. Dr. 

Adams' efforts were instrumental in garnishing the legislature's support of the 
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Association of State and Territorial Health Officials 

2231 Crystal Drive, Suite &.SO~ Arlington, Virglnia22202 • 

July 24, 2017 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

The Honorable Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, 

Laber and Pensions 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

washington, DC 20510 

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) supports the nomination of Indiana State Health 

Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams to the position of U.S. Surgeon GeneraL Dr. Adams served as Commissioner of the 

Indiana State Department of Health since 2014, where he oversees the public health protection and labcratory services, 

health and human services, healthcare quality and regulatory, and tobacco prevention and cessation commissions. 

The Administration has nominated a true public health and physician leader to serve as U.S. Surgeon GeneraL Dr. Adams 

understands the healthcare landscape, has first-hand experience dealing with serious public health issues, and will be a 

strong advocate for state public health, bringing a unique and valuable set of skills to the nation's healthcare system. His 

knowledge of public health challenges and opportunities as Indiana State Health Commissioner, as well as his clinical 

experience, wlll serve our nation well in the months and years ahead. 

As a member of ASTHO, Dr. Adams worked to address public health issues nationally, including the challenges presented 

by the current opioid crisis. His strong clinical and community-based experience make him a uniquely qualified candidate 

to be the nation's top physician. Our nation needs a strong, experienced, and articulate public health champion. like Dr. 

Adams. This nomination recognizes his state and national leadership experience, hls broad perspective, and his clinical 

expertise--he brings all this to the very important job of Surgeon General. 

Dr. Adams earned a B.S. in biochemistry and a SA in biopsychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He 

has been a researcher at medical schools in both the Netherlands and Zimbabwe and has worked under Nobel Prize 

winner Dr. Tom Cech. He earned his Medical Doctorate at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and his Masters of 

Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. 

Given his numerous achievements and leadership qualities, ASTHO strongly supports the nomination of Dr. Adams for 

the position of Surgeon General of the United States and we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm his nomination. 

President, ASTHO 
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August 1, 2017 

The Honornb!e Lamar Alexander 

Chainnan 

The Honorable Patty Morray 

Dear Chainnan Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

I also believe !hat Dr. Adams 

General and ofthe Public Health Service, 

heal!h of all Americans. 

Member of Congress 

Jerome Adams to serve as our nation's 
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prp iild' .. .,. ,.., 

f1uxirwoman 

Robin Shackleford 

Treasurer 

Earl L. Harris Jr. 

State Representative 

Parliamentarian 

Eddie Melton 

State Senator 

Chaplain 

,John Bartlett 

State Representative 

Jean D. Breaux 

State Senator 

Charlie Brown 

State Repres1.mtativc 

Mara Candelaria 

Reardon 

State Representative 

Lonnie M. Randolph 

State Senator 

Dr. Vernon G. Smith 

State Representative 

Vanessa Summers 

Representative 

''Seeking a Common 

July 20, 2017 

Honorable Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions Committee 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Committee 

154 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washinb'lon, DC 20510 

Dear Chainnan Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

It is with great honor and sadness that the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) supports 

the nomination of Jerome Adams, M.D. to serve as the next Surgeon General of the United 

States, A great honor because the country will have an opportunity to experience the amazing 

leadership, professionalism, and knowledge that we Hoosiers have come to expect of Dr. 

Adams. And sadness because he will no longer be directing the health needs of Hoosiers. 

However, \Ve recognize that individuals with his level of abilities arc often chosen for a higher 

calling to serve. Therefore, it is our pleasure to offer our full support for the nomination of Dr. 

Adams. 

The position of Surgeon General the deputy to the Assistant Secretary for Health and has the 

responsibility to advise and assist on professional medical matters. The Surgeon General also 

provides scientific information on how individuals can improve their health as well as ways to 

reduce tl1eir risk of illness and injury. As of 2010. the Surgeon General also sits a Chair of the 

National Prevention Council which is comprised of20 federal departments who are dedicated 

to the prevention and for individuals. families, and communities. Dr. Adams has the 

education and experience to excel as the Surgeon GeneraL Dr. Adams received his Master's in 

Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley where his focus was on chronic 

disease preventi-on. He then went on to complete his Residency in Anesthesiology at Indiana 

University and a board certified Anesthesiologist He is an Associate Professor of 

Anesthesiology at Indiana University where teaches residents and maintains a clinical focus 

on regional anesthesia and pain management. 

As Indiana's State Health Commissioner. Dr. Adams led State through a major crisis a 

couple ago. March of 2015 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention declared a 

public health emergency in Scott County, Indiana due to an outbreak of HlV eases. The cause 

of the outbreak was linked to syringe-sharing partners injecting opioids. A small county in 

southern indiana became an epicenter of a health crisis and a national ne\vs story. 
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Under Dr. Adams leadership a short-term syringe exchange program was established and put in place to prevent 

the spread of!IIV. While there were many components of the program that included public education campaigns 

and incident command and community outreach centers, the syringe exchange component was difficult for many 

to buy into. Due to Dr. Adams dedication, he along with others were able to convey the health ramifications the 

state would face if the program were implemented. A program that started off as limited short term solution 

has now expanded so that other counties experiencing health problems similar to Scott County are able to create 

their own syringe exchange program. 

Dr. Adams also understands the health disparities that exist in this state and country. Having that understanding 

of health issues in urban and rural America as well disparities amongst races and genders makes him an ideal 

candidate to he Surgeon General ofthe United States. 

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (!BLC) is non-partisan Caucus consisting of 14 members from around 

the State. Even though all of our current members are Democrats, Caucus has consisted of African American 

Republicans in the past At this time there 

Assembly. 

no African American Republican members in the Indiana General 

lt is for these reasons that we support the nomination of Dr. Jerome Adams to fill the position of Surgeon 

Genera! of the United States. Should you have questions regarding this letter of support please contact us at 

ib!c(ii)iga.in.gov or 317-232-9991. 
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June 30, 2017 

The Honorable Mitch McConnell 

Majority leader 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Senator Lamar Alexander 

Chairman 

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee 

Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Chuck Schumer 

Minority leader 

U.S. Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Senator Patty Murray 

Ranking Member 

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Majority leader McConnell, Minority leader Schumer, Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray: 

On behalf of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and nearly 3,000 

city, county, district and tribal health departments, I write today in support of the nomination of Jerome 

Adams, MD, MPH to be the next Surgeon General of the United States. 

Dr. Adams has served as commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health since 2014, where he 

oversees the public health protection and laboratory services, health and human services, healthcare 

quality and regulatory, and tobacco prevention and cessation commissions. He showed outstanding 

leadership during the opioid, hepatitis and HIV crises in Scott County, Indiana in 2014/2015 and has 

championed public health prevention measures like syringe exchange programs to stop the spread of 

disease. Dr. Adams' knowledge and experience dealing with public health challenges will serve the 

nation well. 

NACCHO is the voice of the nation's local health departments that work every day to protect and 

promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. Local health departments collaborate 

with federal, state and local partners, including the Surgeon General, to create conditions where all 

people can reach their highest potential without health barriers. The Surgeon General plays a critical 

role in establishing the evidence base for public health interventions. 

NACCHO's leadership and members look forward to working with Dr. Adams to improve the health of all 

Americans. Please contact Eli Briggs, Senior Government Affairs Director, 

202/507-4194 with any questions or for further information. 

Sincerely, 

Laura A. Hanen, MPP 

Interim Executive Director & Chief of Government Affairs 
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Rebecca Boss, R! 

Rt._~ionll 

\'acant 

TX 

July 27, 2017 

Senator Lamar Alexander 

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 205!0 

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray: 

Building 

On behalf of the National Association of State Alcohol and Abuse 

Directors (NASADAD), lam of the of 

Jerome Adams, MD, MPH as the Surgeon General. We 

believe Dr. Adams has the knowledge, skills, and necessary to 

educate Americans about how to improve their and reduce the risk of 

illness and injury. 

Dr. Adams was initially as the Indiana State Health 

Commissioner by former Mike Pence in 2014, and reappointed by 

Governor J. Holcomb in January 20 I 7. ln this role, he oversees the 

Public Health Protection and Laboratory Services, Health and Human 

Services, Health Care Quality and and Tobacco Prevention and 

Cessation Commissions. Dr. Adams 

lm,nn,vtmo the Status of Children in Indiana, the National Governors 

;~ssu'"'"'u" (NGA) Health Workforce Policy Academy Core Team, and the 

Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse. 

Dr. Adams currently serves as assistant professor of clinical anesthesia at 

Indiana University School of Medicine and as a at 

Eskenazi Health, where he is Chair of the Pharmacy and Thera]oeutics 

Committee. He has served in the of several Pf'Olt:ss;ron.a• 

organizations, including the American (AMA), and on 

the Boards of the Indiana State Medical Association and Indiana Society of 

Anesthesiologists. 

Dr. Adams eamed his Medical Doctorate at the Indiana School of 

Medicine, and his Master of Public Health at the of 

Calif<.1rnia, Berkeley. This unique melding knowledge and a 

public health make him well-suited to address some of the 

nation's most health the opioid crisis. One 

example of Dr. and public health 

practitioner his response to the intravenous opioid use crisis and 
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C virus (HCV) outbreak in Scott County, lndiana. During the outbreak, 

nndet·stR,ndin" of addiction as chronic brain disease, as well his efforts to employ 

effective prevention strategies to address substance use, HlV, and HCV, helped curb 

the incidence of all three co-occurring 

!n addition to his leadership within the State oflndiana, Dr. Adams has collaborating 

various branches of the federal government. He has previously testit!ed both the U.S. Senate 

(Committee on and the U.S. House (Energy and Commerce). He has also 

nm-tir1nntPrl in about healthcare at the House, the Centers for Disease Control and 

(CDC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

We support the confirmation of Dr. Jerome Adams to serve as the U.S. Surgeon General. We 

to working with you as the nomination process moves forward. 

Robert Morrison 

Executive Director 

National Association of State Alcohol and 

Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) 
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July 26, 2017 

Senator lamar Alexander 

Senator Patty 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and 

428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senators Alexander and 

On behalf of the Indiana State Association, I am writing to support the nomination of 

Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Adams for United States Surgeon General. The Indiana 

State Nurses Association is the professional Indiana registered nurses all levels, 

representing over 100,00 nurses our state. We role in health policy ;;Jnd have witnessed 

multiple examples of Dr. Adams' leadership. For instance, he was instrumental in alleviating regulatory 

barriers so that counties In Indiana implement exchange programs after the calamitous HIV 

outbreak in Scott County. 

Dr. 

addressing health problems in a 

motivate all stakeholders in the health care landscape 

demonstrated a collaborative, inter-professional approach to 

best serves public interest. If confirmed as U.S. Surgeon 

General, our will healthier, our providers will be empowered, and a II will benefit. 

HIGH 

Sincerely, 

Diana Sullivan, RN 

President 

State Nurses Association 
177 

RESPONSE BY LANCE ROBERTSON TO QUESTIONS OF SENATOR MURRAY, SENATOR

SANDERS, SENATOR CASEY, SENATOR FRANKEN, SENATOR BENNET, SENATOR

WHITEHOUSE, SENATOR BALDWIN, SENATOR MURPHY, SENATOR WARREN AND SEN- ATOR HASSAN

SENATOR MURRAY

Question 1. As the Assistant Secretary for Aging, you will also serve as the Administrator for the Administration for Community Living (ACL). This agency was 

created in 2012 by bringing together the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability, and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of the 

agency, therefore, is to address the full spectrum of community living, health care, 

and long-term service and support needs for both the aging and disability populations. However, your professional experience has largely been established by administering aging service programs. 

Describe your professional experience working with individuals with disabilities 

and their families and the disability service providers and programs in Oklahoma. 

How have you bridged the silos that are often created between aging and disability service programs in State government? 

How will you ensure equity in resource allocation between programs for people 

with disabilities and programs for older adults in ACL? 

Answer 1. As I mentioned in my testimony, having a close family member who 

lives with a significant disability and a mother who is a career Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities case manager has given me a personal view of the importance of ACL’s work for people with disabilities. Through my work as president of 

the National Association of States United for Aging & Disability (NASUAD), we decided to include a ‘‘D’’ in the organization’s name to fully reflect our work and commitment to the disability community. 

Together, we are better able to leverage learnings and best practices for meeting 

those similar needs. Further, the disability and aging communities together have a 

larger voice than either community on its own. Silos are not helpful within any organization, and I look forward to working effectively at ACL to better unify our populations and strengthen our programs. 

Question 2. The President’s 2018 budget proposal called for a number of cuts to 

and restructuring of programs for individuals with disabilities and their families. 

Specifically, the President’s budget recommended a cut of $23 million to the Independent Living program, thereby eliminating funding for the Independent Living 

State Grants program. The House Appropriations Committee fiscal year 2018 Labor, 

Health, Human Services, and Education bill restores this funding to the Independent Living program. 

What efforts will you take to ensure the Centers for Independent Living and the 

Statewide Independent Living Councils have the necessary funding and administrative support to fulfill their responsibilities as required by the Rehabilitation Act of 

1973, and fully implement the new core transition services required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)? 

Answer 2. The work of the Centers for Independent Living and the Statewide 

Independent Living Councils is important. I look forward to working with ACL team 

members, HHS leaders, and Congress to ensure these programs are funded in the 

most responsible way. 

Question 3. The President’s 2018 budget proposal called for the merging of several 

disparate disability programs, namely the State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the State Independent Living Councils, and the State Advisory Boards on 

Traumatic Brain Injury into the Partnership for Innovation, Inclusion, and Independence. The House Appropriations Committee fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health, 

Human Services, and Education bill does not consolidate these programs. 

Do you agree that each of these programs plays a unique role in facilitating the 

mission of ACL? 

Would you support an effort to consolidate these programs to save money? 

Answer 3. The work of all three entities is important. The ultimate goal is achieving the highest possible outcomes with the programs and for the populations we 

serve. I look forward to being a part of the coming conversation and working with 

all parties to deploy whatever is decided and following the guidance given by the 

President and Congress. 

Question 4. Older adults and people with disabilities experience unique barriers 

during a crisis. As the director of the Aging Services Division in Oklahoma, how did 

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ness? How will you ensure emergency preparedness and response programs are accessible to all individuals with disabilities? 

Answer 4. Oklahoma ranks as one of the top States in disaster declarations, giving me ample exposure to the importance of emergency preparedness. For the past 

decade, I have served on several of our State’s top preparedness committees and 

many of my staff members are directly tied to response plans. Building on the plans 

ACL already has in place is critical, and my commitment to ensuring the safety of 

the populations we serve during a time of crisis is very strong. I look forward to 

working with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to 

make sure that programs are accessible to all individuals. 

Question 5. WIOA transferred the National Institute on Disability, Independent 

Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDLIRR) from the Department of Education’s 

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to ACL. NIDILRR’s 

mission is to generate new knowledge and promote its effective use to improve the 

abilities of people with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community. 

What is your position on evidence-based programs and policy? 

As director of the Aging Services Division in Oklahoma, how have you used data 

to make program and policy decisions? 

Answer 5. NIDLIRR has a commendable history of producing important work, 

generating new knowledge, and contracting with partners to provide assistance to 

people with disabilities for activities of their choice in the community. Evidencebased programs and policies are important to ACL, and I will certainly continue 

that focus. 

Question 6. The President’s 2018 budget proposal called for an elimination of the 

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The House Appropriations Committee 2018 Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education bill transfers 

the program to ACL and also cuts $100 million in funding. The SCSEP is the only 

employment program targeted for older adults and has been successful in assisting 

millions of low-income job seekers find work. 

Answer 6. If confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Aging, will you commit to 

protecting the SCSEP and advocate for robust funding to ensure the program 

reaches all eligible older adults who experience barriers to employment? 

I am committed to removing barriers to employment, regardless of age or disability. Ensuring that everyone who wants to work has as many opportunities as 

possible to do so is a critical element of supporting the ability of all people to live 

their lives as integrated members of their communities. Increasing access and eliminating barriers to employment has been part of ACL’s mission since its creation, 

and I look forward to continuing that important work. 

Question 7. The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) wrote a letter 

opposing ACL’s proposal to eliminate LGBT older adults from the National Survey 

of Older American Act Participants. Do you agree with LCAO that, 

‘‘ACL must continue collecting data on whether the aging network is reaching 

LGBT older adults in order to ensure the maximum inclusion of LGBT older 

adults in programs funded under the Older Americans Act?’’ 

As the Assistant Secretary for Aging, would you stand up for LGBT individuals 

and prevent any systematic effort by this Administration to eliminate data necessary for the full inclusion of the LGBT community in Federal programs? 

Answer 7. Throughout its existence, ACL has been committed to ensuring that all 

people touched by or eligible for our programs have access to the high quality services and supports they need to be able to live where they choose and with the people 

they choose, and to fully participate in their communities, and I share that commitment. We will continue to work with grantees and stakeholders in the aging and 

disability networks to help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, 

particularly those with the greatest social and economic needs. 

Question 8. As you know, the Older Americans Act specifically establishes the role 

of the Assistant Secretary for Aging with a direct reporting relationship to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In the dual role 

for which you are nominated, how do you anticipate being a leader and advocate 

on behalf of the Older Americans Act and the Aging Services Network, while also 

providing stewardship of the programs and services that both older adults and individuals with disabilities rely upon? 

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ability networks have embraced the concept and have committed to making it successful. There are a lot of similarities in the services and supports older adults and 

people with disabilities need to live independently. Together, we are better able to 

leverage learnings and best practices for meeting similar needs. Further, the disability and aging communities together have a larger voice than either community 

on its own. At the same time, neither network loses the unique elements of its individual mission. 

When there are issues that affect both people with disabilities and older adults, 

we can join forces to address them in a consistent and holistic way. There also are 

issues that affect only older adults, or only people with disabilities. I am committed 

to ensuring that ACL continues to develop and manage programs that best serve 

each population individually, as well. 

Question 9. As a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., there has been a national trend toward 

deinstitutionalization and community inclusion of older adults and people with disabilities. 

Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling that it is discrimination to deny 

people with disabilities services in the most integrated setting possible? 

Do you agree that for older adults and people with disabilities, having the option 

to live and receive services in their homes and communities can be vital to their 

well-being? 

If confirmed, will you defend and broaden access to home and community-based 

services and supports for both older adults and people with disabilities? 

Answer 9. I am fully committed to implementing the laws passed by Congress 

that provide ACL with tools to assist older and disabled Americans to live where 

they choose and with the people they choose, and to participate as they choose in 

their communities. 

For this to be possible, home- and community-based services and supports must 

be robust enough that individuals with even the most complex medical and behavioral needs who desire to live in the community can be appropriately and effectively 

supported in their own home- or other community-based settings. While this has 

been demonstrated in many communities, it is not reality everywhere. 

ACL advocates for the expansion and coordination of home- and community-based 

services and improvements in quality so that older adults and people with disabilities have more and better options about how and where to receive the long-term 

services and supports they need. I look forward to continuing that work. 

Question 10. The President’s 2018 budget proposal called for a number of cuts to 

programs for older adults and people with disabilities under ACL, raising questions 

whether this Administration values the programs ACL supports. If confirmed, will 

you be a vocal advocate internally for funding for ACL and push back in future 

budget cycles against cuts to programs that support these communities? 

Answer 10. I have been an advocate for older adults and people with disabilities 

throughout my career. I look forward to continuing that role at the Federal level 

to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the critical programs that support 

older adults and people with disabilities and help them live independently. 

SENATOR SANDERS

Question 1. Mr. Robertson, this position plays a pivotal role in assessing, planning 

and advocating for a variety of programs and initiatives that are aimed at improving the health, health care, wellness and lives of older individuals. As you know, 

as most Americans age, they do so wanting to age in their own homes. Often times, 

this means that they will require a variety of critically important support services— 

like meal programs, community-based care, and assistance provided to their care 

givers—many of which you strongly advocated for in your previous positions. In fact, 

your past positions on the importance of supporting and robustly funding these programs show that you understand how vital they are to older people, especially to 

those who are trying to age at home. Unfortunately, based on the budget he proposed, President Trump seems far less supportive of these types of very important 

programs. How do you plan to ensure that the very programs that you have expressed strong support for in the past—programs that make a very real difference 

to millions of older Americans—do not get drastically cut or eliminated altogether 

in this Administration? What are your plans to ensure that older Americans will 

have the support services that they need to age with dignity in their own homes? 

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lion people age 60 and older. All but a tiny percentage of them live in non-institutional settings, as do nearly 57 million people with disabilities. 

Older Americans are one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the country. Maintaining service levels in the face of a growing population is always a challenge. I believe that the use of innovation and evidence-based practices will be critical to keeping these programs vital, and to meeting the evolving needs of older 

Americans. 

Question 2. In detail, please share the top three efforts or initiatives that you plan 

to launch to address the unique and pressing health and health care issues facing 

people with disabilities during this time when the current health care system is 

being reformed? 

Answer 2. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues at ACL and 

throughout HHS to learn more about the programs and initiatives already in place. 

The strategy I shared in my testimony applies to both older adults and people with 

disabilities. For both populations, navigating the systems of services and support, 

identifying what is available, and understanding how to access those services, can 

be overwhelming. We have to streamline that process and ensure the needs of the 

person are kept at the forefront of our focus. 

Families and friends play a critical role in supporting older adults and people 

with disabilities alike. Supporting those people is essential to helping older adults 

and people with disabilities continue living independently in the community. It is 

imperative that we ensure the community-based organizations, that form the aging 

and disability networks, are able to survive in the increasingly complex health care 

environment. ACL has been investing in helping the networks develop the business 

acumen necessary to integrate the services they provide into the overall health care 

spectrum. I believe that work is absolutely critical. 

SENATOR CASEY

Question 1. During the campaign, President Trump said that he would ‘‘do everything in [his] power to protect LGBT citizens.’’ As we have seen, the President and 

the Administration are failing to live up to that promise. Last week, over Twitter, 

President Trump announced transgender individuals would be banned from serving 

in the military. Sadly, that is far from the only Administration action that would 

have adverse consequences for LGBT Americans. In April, ACL eliminated sexual 

orientation and gender identity questions on two important surveys that are used 

to assess Older Americans Act and disabilities programs. Mr. Robertson, if you are 

confirmed, will you ensure that ACL programs meet the needs of the entire LGBT 

community and will you commit to collecting data on both sexual orientation and 

gender identity on ACL surveys that are used to assess the effectiveness of ACL 

programs? 

Answer 1. I am committed to working with the aging and disability networks to 

help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those 

with the greatest social and economic needs. I am committed to better understanding these issues and ensuring that ACL’s programs serve all people, including 

LGBT older adults and people with disabilities. 

Question 2. The President’s budget included language that would merge several 

disability programs, including the State councils on independent living and the 

State developmental disabilities councils, which are authorized under separate statutes and are currently administered by ACL. At the same time, the administration 

has significantly recommended cutting the funding for these programs. The greater 

disability community is very concerned about this proposal. Do you support this approach and how would you merge these programs while ensuring congressional intent is maintained? Given that you do not have extensive experience with the disability community, do you commit to personally reaching out to them to obtain their 

input on this proposal? 

Answer 2. I support the idea of delivering services that help to achieve independence, productivity, integration, self-determination, and inclusion in the community 

while eliminating silos that make it harder for people to access the services they 

need. It is critical that we work closely with the aging and disability networks to 

ensure we are best meeting the needs of the people we serve. I look forward to working with you to implement the law faithfully and to give full consideration to the 

input from our partners across the disability communities. 

Question 3. While the number of older Americans is growing exponentially daily, 

aging programs have been cut or flat lined in the President’s proposed budget. How 

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tected, are not subject to arbitrary drastic cuts, and grow according to the needs of 

seniors during your tenure in this Administration? 

Answer 3. I have been an advocate for older adults and people with disabilities 

throughout my career, and I look forward to continuing that role at the Federal 

level to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the critical programs that support older adults and people with disabilities and help them live independently. 

Maintaining service levels in the face of a growing population is always a challenge. I believe that the use of innovation and evidence-based practices, such as the 

flexibility Congress provided to allow up to 1 percent of ACL’s nutrition funding to 

explore innovative ways to provide services, or the requirement that preventive 

health dollars be used for evidenced-based approaches, will be critical to keeping 

these programs vital and to meeting the evolving needs of older Americans. 

Question 4. During your opening statement at the hearing on August 1 you stated 

that your goal is to provide services for those who are aging and those with disabilities via the least expensive means possible. You did not mention the quality of 

those services. Why not? How is quality of services important for those who are 

aging and those with disabilities? How will you balance the demands of cost efficiency and quality of services? 

Answer 4. Establishing quality standards and ensuring our programs meet them 

is absolutely critical. Many of ACL’s programs already have outcome measures related to service quality. This must of course be woven into the fabric of everything 

we do. 

Question 5. During your opening statement at the hearing on August 1 you mentioned four goals you would work to achieve if you were confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of Community Living. These included (a) access 

to treatment and service information, (b) support for caregivers, (c) elder justice, and 

(d) increasing the network’s business acumen. How will you plan to ensure everyone 

who wants to receive care in their homes and communities can do so? Will you commit to reviewing these goals with the aging and disability communities and amending the goals depending upon the needs identified by the communities? 

Answer 5. Since its creation, ACL has advocated for the expansion and coordination of home- and community-based services and improvements in quality so that 

older adults and people with disabilities have more and better options about how 

and where to receive the long-term services and supports they need. I am excited 

to continue this work as the ACL administrator. 

To do that most effectively and efficiently, we have to work together across all 

levels of government, within the aging and disability networks, and with all potential partners to establish strategies for meeting these goals. Through my work at 

the State level and as a leader within NASUAD, I have spent many years working 

in partnership with my colleagues in other organizations to do exactly that. I am 

looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the disability community to ensure we are doing the right things to best serve the greatest number of 

people with the greatest needs. 

Question 6. While a number of the goals you identify for ACL address aging concerns, they do not specifically call out the needs for individuals with disabilities and 

their families. There are many barriers that people with disabilities face, including 

continued prejudice and discrimination in services, employment, treatment and supports. How will you ensure ACL prioritizes people with disabilities as well as aging 

issues? 

Answer 6. The strategy I shared in my testimony applies to both older adults and 

people with disabilities. For both populations, navigating the systems of services 

and support, identifying what is available, and understanding how to access those 

services, can be overwhelming. We have to streamline that process and ensure the 

needs of the person are kept at the forefront of our focus. 

Families and friends play a critical role in supporting older adults and people 

with disabilities alike. Supporting this community is essential to helping older 

adults and people with disabilities continue living independently in the community. 

It is imperative that we ensure the community-based organizations that form the 

aging and disability networks are able to survive in the increasingly complex 

healthcare environment. ACL has been investing in helping the networks develop 

the business acumen necessary to integrate the services they provide into the overall healthcare spectrum. I believe that work is absolutely critical. 

Question 7. Your experience with the disability community at a national level is 

very limited. How will you go about engaging the community and learning what 

issues are most important to the community? Will you commit to personally have 

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quarterly meetings with leaders of the disability community for at least the first 18 

months of your tenure? 

Answer 7. I look forward to getting to know my colleagues in the disability field 

and I am committed to working closely with them to ensure we are best meeting 

the needs of the people we serve. I expect to establish an ongoing dialog, and we 

will meet as frequently as necessary. 

Question 8. This Administration has proposed cutting Medicaid funding both 

through repealing the PPACA and through the budgeting process. The latest budget 

bill coming out of the House of Representatives calls for $1.4 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. Included in ACL’s mission is the statement that, 

‘‘All Americans—including people with disabilities and older adults—should 

be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions.’’ 

After unpaid family supports, Medicaid is the largest funder of home and community-based long-term services and supports. It makes it possible for individuals to 

live in their own homes, independently move about their communities, and obtain 

and retain jobs. How will you advocate for protecting Medicaid funding and how will 

you ensure the mission to have all Americans who are aging and/or have disabilities, live at home in their communities? 

Answer 8. ACL’s work to help older adults and people with disabilities live independently in their communities has never been more important. There are 65 million people age 60 and older. All but a tiny percentage of them live in non-institutional settings, as do nearly 57 million people with disabilities. Both populations are 

growing, and older Americans are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the 

country; by 2020, there will be more than 77 million people over the age of 60. 

I have been an advocate for older adults and people with disabilities throughout 

my career. I look forward to continuing that role at the Federal level to help ensure 

the long-term sustainability of the critical programs that support older adults and 

people with disabilities and help them live independently. 

Question 9. ACL recently published three requests for comments in the Federal 

Register, for both aging and disability datasets, regarding the removal of data collection elements on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). Both Office of 

Management and Budget and Healthy People 2020 recognize the need for collecting 

data on this underrepresented group as a way to measure unmet need. Will you 

commit to restoring the LGBTQ questions to these surveys? 

Answer 9. I am committed to working with the aging and disability networks to 

help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those 

with the greatest social and economic needs. I am committed to better understanding these issues and ensuring that ACL’s programs serve all people, including 

LGBT older adults and people with disabilities. 

Question 10. Over the last several months, I have sent multiple letters to HHS 

about the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act through executive action. HHS has failed to provide responses to 

many of my letters. If HHS has responded, the response letters have been wholly 

inadequate and have not been responsive to my requests. If you are confirmed, do 

you commit to respond in a timely manner to all congressional inquiries and requests for information from all Members of Congress, including requests from Members in the Minority? 

Answer 10. Yes, I will appropriately respond to all Member requests. I look forward to working with all Members of Congress to address the needs and concerns 

of older adults and people with disabilities. 

SENATOR FRANKEN

Question 1. Do you support the use of Medicaid home and community-based services for both older adults and people with disabilities? What will you do to make 

sure seniors and people with disabilities can stay in their communities and remain 

independent as long as possible? 

Answer 1. Since its creation, ACL has advocated for the expansion and coordination of home- and community-based services and improvements in quality so that 

older adults and people with disabilities have more and better options about how 

and where to receive the long-term services and supports they need. I am excited 

to continue this work. 

Question 2. How will you work with Congress to shape the next Older Americans 

Act legislation? What priorities do you think the legislation should address? 

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Answer 2. We need to tackle one of the most critical issues facing us today—the 

role of the aging services network and its capacity to truly partner with the 

healthcare system in order to provide and partner in an integrated service delivery 

model. I look forward to working with the aging network and Congress to this end. 

SENATOR BENNET

Question 1. Many chronic diseases are preventable or better managed when 

caught early. When they are not, there is a large cost burden on our society. The 

American Diabetes Association estimates that the economic cost of diabetes was 

nearly $250 billion in 2012, a 41 percent increase since 2007. In Medicare, 15 percent of the sickest enrollees that often have multiple chronic conditions, account for 

50 percent of Medicare spending. 

What is your strategy around prevention so that certain chronic diseases are 

avoided or better managed in order for us to improve outcomes and save Medicare 

dollars? 

Answer 1. Under Title III–D of the Older Americans Act, ACL supports a number 

of evidence-based programs that help older adults maintain their health and 

wellness. This includes programs that help older adults learn to effectively manage 

chronic diseases like diabetes, programs that help prevent falls, and other such programs. Centers for independent living and university centers of excellence on developmental disabilities offer similar programs for people with disabilities. Programs 

like these that use evidence-based models help to avoid the far higher costs associated with advancing disease, and I look forward to continuing to build on these efforts. 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Question 1. President Trump’s budget eliminates Senior Corps, a program that engages a quarter of a million older adults who volunteer almost 75 million hours of 

service each year to community programs that serve seniors, children, veterans and 

others. Although the Assistant Secretary for Aging does not oversee Senior Corps, 

the Administration for Community Living has a memorandum of understanding 

with the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteerism 

by older adults and people with disabilities. 

Do you believe the elimination of Senior Corps will benefit seniors? 

Will you advocate within the administration for funding for programs like Senior 

Corps that help keep seniors engaged in their communities? 

Answer 1. I believe strongly in the value that older adults provide to their communities, and I believe we are stronger when we harness the power of everyone’s 

talents. ACL is different from many Federal agencies in that advocacy is explicitly 

included in several of the statutes that authorize its programs. I am looking forward 

to continuing that role at the Federal level to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the critical programs that support older adults and people with disabilities 

and help them to fully participate in their communities. 

Question 2a. President Trump’s budget cuts almost $80 million from disability 

programs within the Administration on Community Living, which is overseen by the 

Assistant Secretary for Aging. The President himself has publicly mocked a disabled 

person. 

Do you believe these budget cuts will lead to better outcomes for people with disabilities? 

Answer 2a. I support the idea of delivering services that help to achieve independence, productivity, integration, self-determination and inclusion in the community 

while eliminating silos that make it harder for people to access the services they 

need. I look forward to working with ACL team members, HHS leaders, and Congress to ensure these programs are funded in the most responsible way. 

Quesion 2b. Please list three things you will do if confirmed to support disabled 

Americans and the Federal programs that serve them. 

Answer 2b. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues at ACL and 

throughout HHS to learn more about the programs and initiatives already in place. 

The strategy I shared in my testimony applies to both older adults and people with 

disabilities. For both populations, navigating the systems of services and support, 

identifying what is available, and understanding how to access those services, can 

be overwhelming. We have to streamline that process and ensure the needs of the 

person are kept at the forefront of our focus. 

Families and friends play a critical role in supporting older adults and people 

with disabilities alike. Supporting those people is essential to helping older adults 

and people with disabilities continue living independently in the community. It is 

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imperative that we ensure the community-based organizations that form the aging 

and disability networks are able to survive in the increasingly complex health care 

environment. ACL has been investing in helping the networks develop the business 

acumen necessary to integrate the services they provide into the overall health care 

spectrum. I believe that work is absolutely critical. 

SENATOR BALDWIN

Question 1. In 2012, the Administration on Aging (AOA) issued new guidance on 

the definition of the term ‘‘greatest social need’’ in the Older Americans Act that 

included ‘‘individuals isolated due to sexual orientation or gender identity.’’ 

Do you support AOA’s guidance that States can classify LGBT older adults as a 

greatest social needs population? Please explain your answer. 

Should ACL do more to ensure States are assessing and meeting the needs of the 

LGBT older adult population? 

What, if anything, did you do as the director of the Aging Services Division in 

Oklahoma to both assess and meet the needs of LGBT older adults under your tenure? 

Answer 1. I am committed to working with the aging and disability networks to 

help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those 

with the greatest social and economic needs. I am committed to better understanding these issues and ensuring that ACL’s programs serve all people, including 

LGBT older adults and people with disabilities. 

Question 2a. I am concerned with ACL’s proposals to eliminate data on key demographic populations, including LGBT older adults as well as transgender older 

adults, from this year’s National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants. This 

critical survey is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Older Americans Act programs funded through HHS, including who is able to access the programs. 

Answer 2a. Older LGBT and transgender individuals face many challenges including financial insecurity, social isolation, discrimination, and barriers to access for 

aging and accessibility services. I believe that removing sexual orientation and gender identity questions from these surveys will limit HHS’s ability to address these 

issues. In fact, NASUAD sent a statement to ACL addressing their data collection 

efforts on LGBT individuals which reads, 

‘‘. . . we believe that there is opportunity to improve the data collection regarding the needs and prevalence of different populations served by the aging 

network [and] recommend that ACL continue to refine this data collection in 

order to provide meaningful analysis rather than eliminate the questions.’’ 

While, I am encouraged that HHS has decided to retain the sexual orientation 

question, I remain very troubled by the proposed elimination of the gender identity 

question. Further, I am concerned that these actions reveal a troubling pattern by 

HHS to rollback efforts to improve community care and address health disparities 

for these vulnerable populations. 

Question 2b. Do you believe HHS and ACL should do more to improve data collection on LGBT individuals? Will you commit to enhancing ACL’s efforts to collect 

data on LGBT older adults and people with disabilities? 

Answer 2b. I am committed to working with the aging and disability networks 

to help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those 

with the greatest social and economic needs. I am committed to better understanding these issues and ensuring that ACL’s programs serve all people, including 

LGBT older adults and people with disabilities. 

Question 3. Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius played a leading role in establishing ACL and stated that, ‘‘. . . we now recognize that LGBT older adults also 

represent a community with unique needs that must be addressed’’. Do you agree 

with this statement? 

Answer 3. I am committed to working with the aging and disability networks to 

help them best serve older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those 

with the greatest social and economic needs. 

SENATOR MURPHY

Question 1. As you may know, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs 

(SHIPs) play an essential role in helping Medicare beneficiaries, who are often lowincome or have complex health conditions, navigate make informed decisions about 

their Medicare coverage. 

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Answer 1. In Connecticut, the SHIP program, known as CHOICES, helped 34,200 

seniors, people with disabilities, and family caregivers last year find the health care 

program that works for them and their families. Connecticut received over $676,000 

in Federal funding last year through the SHIP program. There are five regional offices that administer the program. 

SHIP counselors provide personalized, one-on-one assistance to seniors and their 

families that cannot be replicated by 1-800-MEDICARE or other broad outreach activities, because it is often the Medicare beneficiaries with the most complex cases 

and fewest resources who seek their help. SHIP counseling assistance can save individual Medicare beneficiaries hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars every year, 

and, as a result, can save some seniors from having to choose between paying for 

their health care and essentials such as their rent or groceries. Unfortunately, Federal funding for SHIPs has been targeted for elimination or reduced funding over 

the years. 

As Assistant Secretary of Aging, will you advocate for adequate Federal funding 

for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in light of the need for 

critical SHIP services for seniors—particularly low-income seniors navigating an increasingly complicated Medicare system? 

For older adults, people with disabilities, and their families, navigating the systems of services and support, identifying what is available, and understanding how 

to access those services can be overwhelming. Similarly, determining the best Medicare elections for individual situations can be challenging, and many people who are 

eligible for Medicare need assistance understanding the various options. I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that older adults, people with disabilities, 

and their families understand the choices and services available to them and how 

to access them. 

Question 2. A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering 

and Medicine found that close to 18 million Americans of working age help disabled 

or older family members or friends with activities of daily living on an ongoing 

basis. In Connecticut, 1 in 6 residents are providing care for a relative, and 70 percent believe they will at some point. The report forecast that the numbers of family 

caregivers will continue to rise, not taking into account any potential cuts to Medicaid that would likely exacerbate our country’s caregiving crisis. 

As you may know, family caregiving obligations have a substantial economic impact, as workers in this situation often have to take time off from jobs, cut back 

on working hours, or leave the paid workforce altogether. Unfortunately, this lowers 

their future Social Security benefit, threatening their own retirement. Studies indicate that on average, total wage, private pension, and Social Security losses due to 

caregiving add up to more than $300,000. In Connecticut, an estimated 459,000 

caregivers in 2013 spent 427 million hours providing nearly $6 billion in unpaid 

caregiving. 

I believe that family caregivers deserve our gratitude, not punishment for taking 

time off to care for a loved one. That’s why, after hearing concerns from family caregivers around Connecticut, I introduced the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act, 

which would add a credit to caregivers’ lifetime earnings to determine how much 

they should receive in Social Security benefits. By creating a Social Security Caregiver credit, caregivers who had to leave the workforce entirely, or continue to work 

with significantly reduced hours, would receive modest retirement compensation. 

What specific initiatives will you, as Assistant Secretary on Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, undertake to facilitate family 

caregiving? 

Answer 2. As I shared in my testimony, my vision includes a strategic focus on 

supporting caregivers. Informal caregivers of individuals with disabilities and older 

adults and the services and supports they provide them are the epicenter of the 

long-term services and supports system. Under my leadership we will continue to 

promote evidence-based solutions, and build support systems that work. We will 

continue to seek ways to meet caregivers where they are and equip them with the 

tools they need to be successful in this important role. 

SENATOR WARREN

Medicaid 

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 8.3 million 

low-income seniors and people with disabilities receive health care coverage through 

both Medicare and Medicaid, making them ‘‘dually eligible.’’ People who are dually 

eligible receive financial assistance to help pay their premiums, out-of-pocket costs, 

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1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ‘‘Seniors & Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees’’ 

(online at: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/medicaid-enrollees/index.html). 

Accessed August 1, 2017. 2 Erica L. Reaves, MaryBeth Musumeci, ‘‘Medicaid and Long-Term Services and Supports: A 

Primer,’’ Kaiser Family Foundation (December 15, 2015) (online at: http://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/medicaid-and-long-term-services-and-supports-a-primer/). 3 Ina Jaffe, ‘‘Nursing Homes Worry Proposed Medicaid Cuts Will Force Cuts, Closures,’’ NPR 

(June 28, 2017) (online at: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/06/28/534764940/ 

proposed-medicaid-cuts-likely-to-put-pressure-on-nursing-homes). 4Philip Bump, ‘‘By 2026, Annual Medicaid Cuts under the Senate Health-Care Replacement 

Plan are Steeper than Under Repeal,’’ Washington Post (July 19, 2017) (online at: https:// 

www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/07/19/by-2026-annual-medicaid-cuts-underthe-senate-health-care-replacement-plan-are-steeper-than-under-repeal/ 

?utmlterm=.27c6f093a793); Danielle Kurzleben, ‘‘GOP Health Plan Would Leave 23 Million 

More Uninsured, Budget Office Says,’’ NPR (May 24, 2017) (online at: http://www.npr.org/ 

2017/05/24/529902300/cbo-republicans-ahca-would-leave-23-million-more-uninsured). 5 Iris J. Lav, Michael Leachman, ‘‘The Trump Budget’s Massive Cuts to State and Local Services and Programs,’’ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (June 13, 2017) (online at: https:// 

www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/the-trump-budgets-massive-cuts-to-state-and-localservices-and). 6 Administration for Community Living, ‘‘Supporting Adult Protective Services’’ (online at: 

https://www.acl.gov/programs/elder-justice/supporting-adult-protective-services). Accessed August 1, 2017. 7 Administration for Community Living, ‘‘Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program’’ (online at: 

https://www.acl.gov/node/68). Accessed August 1, 2017. 

nursing facility care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.1 Medicaid also provides the backbone for coverage of long-term services and supports (LTSS), including home and 

community-based services (HCBS) that help seniors and people with disabilities live 

independently.2 Two-thirds of Americans living in nursing homes rely on Medicaid.3

President Trump has supported legislation that would cut Medicaid by more than $700 billion, converting it to a per capita cap or block grant system.4 His budget 

proposal for fiscal year 2018 (FY18) also proposed an additional cut to Medicaid of 

over $600 billion.5

As Assistant Secretary for Aging, as well as the Administrator for Community 

Living (ACL), you will be responsible for addressing the concerns and advancing the 

interests of America’s seniors and people with disabilities. 

Question 1. Do you agree that Medicaid plays an essential role in ensuring that 

seniors and people with disabilities can get access to affordable high-quality services 

that allow them to live independently at home and in their communities? 

Answer 1. Medicaid plays an essential role along with other public and private 

resources at the Federal, State and local level and support provided by family members and other caregivers to assist individuals to live independently and participate 

fully in society. 

Question 2. Do you agree that hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid 

would have a negative impact on the ability of seniors and people with disabilities 

to access health care? 

Answer 2. Medicaid plays an essential role along with other public and private 

resources at the Federal, State and local level and support provided by family members and other caregivers to assist individuals to live independently and participate 

fully in society. 

Long-term services and supports 

The Assistant Secretary for Aging oversees the Administration on Aging (AOA), 

which includes the Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services and the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. These two offices work together to 

advocate for the rights and protection of the elderly and adults with disabilities 

from ‘‘abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.’’6 The Long-Term Care 

Ombudsman Program works to resolve problems and promote policies that protect 

patients in LTSS settings, including assisted living facilities. This program is required to identify and investigate complaints of residents in LTSS settings, provide 

administrative and legal services for residents, and ‘‘analyze, comment on, and recommend changes in laws and regulations pertaining to the health, safety, welfare, 

and rights of residents.’’7

Question 3. Do you agree that America’s seniors, people with disabilities, and 

their families deserve to know that when they or their loved ones are in a nursing 

home or assisted living facility, it is a safe, high-quality care facility? 

Answer 3. All people have the right to live their lives with dignity and respect, 

free from abuse of any kind, regardless of the setting. 

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8 Jessica Silver-Greenberg, Michael Corkery, ‘‘In arbitration, a ‘privatization of the justice system’ ’’ The New York Times (November 1, 2015) (online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/ 

02/business/dealbook/in-arbitration-a-privatization-of-the-justice-system.html). 

Question 4. Nursing homes are regulated at the State level and via CMS, and 

CMS has established the Nursing Home Compare Web site to provide information 

to help seniors and families choose the facility that best suits their needs. How does 

the AOA work with CMS to ensure that seniors have access to this and other information that they need? 

What other actions does the AOA take to improve the quality of nursing home 

care? 

If confirmed, what additional steps will you take to improve the quality of nursing 

home care? 

Answer 4. CMS and ACL work closely together on several nursing home initiatives to support quality care, including initiatives to reduce the misuse of 

antipsychotic medications, reduce inappropriate discharge and evictions, and to foster person-centered care practices. 

ACL has also worked with its National Ombudsmen Resource Center to develop 

consumer education materials for individuals and their families regarding residents’ 

rights and other provisions related to the revised nursing home regulations in order 

to inform consumers and to support quality, individualized care. 

Question 5. The Federal Government pays for care in assisted living facilities via 

Medicaid waiver programs that allow payments for such care. However, there is limited or no Federal oversight of these facilities. What actions does the AOA currently 

take to improve the quality of care in assisted living facilities and to ensure that 

seniors have access to the information they need to choose the best facility for their 

needs? 

Answer 5. State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs offer complaint resolution services, information and assistance, and training to both consumers and staff 

of assisted living facilities. In assisted living, board and care, and other residential 

care communities, Ombudsman programs most frequently work on complaints such 

as, medication errors, food concerns, improper eviction or inadequate discharge, lack 

of dignity or respect for residents, poor staff attitudes and building or equipment 

hazards or need for repair. Through the National Ombudsman Resource Center 

technical assistance and training related to assisted living facility settings is provided through Web materials and through webinars and other training. 

Question 6. What additional steps do you believe that AOA can take to ensure 

that the care provided to seniors at Assisted Living Facilities is both high quality 

and cost-effective? 

Answer 6. Key steps include further promoting person-centered care practices and 

educating and training facility staff on the indicators of and how to report abuse, 

neglect and exploitation. 

Question 7. Will you commit to advocating on behalf of seniors and people with 

disabilities living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, including advocating 

for robust funding and policies that ensure consumer protections? 

Answer 7. ACL is different from many Federal agencies in that advocacy is explicitly included in several of the statutes that authorize its programs. The Long-Term 

Care Ombudsman in every State works with residents of long-term care facilities, 

including nursing homes, to protect their rights and resolve disputes. Further, State 

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen also serve as advocates for people living in facilities, 

providing input on State and local legislation and policy that affects facilities. 

Question 8. What specific steps will you take to ensure that seniors and people 

with disabilities, as well as their families, know about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the services it provides? 

Answer 8. ACL will continue to promote the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and its services and supports in partnership with national, State and local 

grantees and stakeholders. This includes ensuring information and referral through 

phone, internet, and in-person contact with individuals with disabilities, older 

adults, and their families and caregivers. Social media is an area where a new and 

additional form of outreach is occurring. 

Question 9. Between 2010 and 2014, more than 100 cases of abuse, medical malpractice, or wrongful death related to skilled nursing facilities were forced into arbitration.8 Forced arbitration clauses—often buried in confusing paperwork signed 

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9 Virgil Dickson, ‘‘CMS Lifts Ban on Nursing Home Arbitration Agreement,’’ Modern 

Healthcare (June 5, 2017) (online at: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20170605/ 

NEWS/170609949). 10 Administration for Community Living, ‘‘State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)’’ 

(online at: https://www.acl.gov/node/162). Accessed August 1, 2017. 11 ‘‘NCOA Issue Brief: FY 2018 Medicare SHIP Funding,’’ National Council on Aging (July 

2017) (online at: https://www.ncoa.org/resources/ncoa-issue-brief-fy18-medicare-ship-funding/). 12 ‘‘President’s FY 2018 Budget Eliminates Key Federal Programs Supporting Older Adults 

and Caregivers,’’ Area Agency on Aging (May 24, 2017) (online at: http://info4seniors.org/presidents-fy-2018-budget-eliminates-key-Federal-programs-supporting-older-adults-caregivers/). 

under duress—bar residents from taking these facilities to court. Last fall, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) banned skilled nursing facilities 

from compelling new residents to enter into such agreements, but a new CMS proposal rescinds that ban, allowing SNFs to take advantage of our Nation’s most vulnerable citizens through this predatory and opaque practice.9 Do you agree that arbitration should be transparent and agreed to voluntarily, without threat of being 

turned down or kicked out from residence of a skilled nursing facility where a patient would like to receive services? 

Answer 9. All people have the right to live their lives with dignity and respect, 

free from abuse of any kind, regardless of the setting. 

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 

The Administration on Aging oversees the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which ‘‘provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, counseling, 

and enrollment assistance.’’10

Medicare provides quality health care coverage to millions of American seniors 

and Americans with disabilities. State Health Insurance Programs help direct individuals to the right care options by providing support and information for beneficiaries. SHIPs help beneficiaries enroll in the Medicare plans that are right for 

them, resolve billing issues, report fraud, and otherwise help beneficiaries navigate 

the Medicare system. 

These programs operate in all 50 States. In recent years, 7 million individuals 

were provided assistance with Medicare through SHIPs.11 However, President 

Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 proposed gutting the program.12

Question 10. Do you agree that SHIP is an important program for seniors and individuals with disabilities? 

Answer 10. For older adults, people with disabilities, and their families, navigating the systems of services and support, identifying what is available, and understanding how to access those services can be overwhelming. Similarly, determining 

the best Medicare elections for individual situations can be challenging, and many 

people who are eligible for Medicare need assistance understanding the various options. I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that older adults, people 

with disabilities, and their families understand the choices and services available 

to them and know how to access them. 

Question 11. Will you advocate for these individuals by supporting the continued 

funding of SHIPs? 

Answer 11. For older adults, people with disabilities, and their families, navigating the systems of services and support, identifying what is available, and understanding how to access those services, can be overwhelming. Similarly, determining 

the best Medicare elections for individual situations can be challenging, and many 

people who are eligible for Medicare need assistance understanding the various options. I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that older adults, people 

with disabilities, and their families understand the choices and services available 

to them and how to access them. 

SENATOR HASSAN

Question 1. As you know, President Trump’s budget proposal include steep cuts 

to a number of important programs that make meaningful community inclusion possible for individuals who experience disabilities. These cuts include billions of dollars from Medicaid and significant reductions to programs across the government 

that assist individuals who experience disabilities, including cuts to the Administration for Community Living, such as the elimination of funding for State Councils 

on Developmental Disabilities. Will you stand up against the President to protect 

funding for vital programs that support individuals who experience disabilities? 

Answer 1. I have been an advocate for older adults and people with disabilities 

throughout my career. I look forward to continuing that role at the Federal level 

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to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the critical programs that support 

older adults and people with disabilities and help them live independently. 

In addition, I believe that the use of innovation and evidence-based practices will 

be critical to keeping these programs vital and to meeting the evolving needs of 

older Americans and those with disabilities. 

Question 2. In our one-on-one meeting, you and I discussed that a marked difference between individuals who are aging and those with a disability is fully integrated employment. Individuals with disabilities have a labor participation rate of 

around 20 percent, which is less than a third of the labor participation rate of individuals without a disability. What do you think the Administration for Community 

Living can do to help ensure more individuals who experience disabilities become 

gainfully employed? 

Answer 2. ACL strives to assure that older adults and people with disabilities do 

not face barriers to employment. Ensuring that everyone who wants to work has 

opportunities to do so is a critical element of helping people to live their lives fully 

integrated into their communities. Increasing access and eliminating barriers to employment has been part of ACL’s mission since its creation, and I look forward to 

continuing that important work. 

Question 3. While Governor of New Hampshire, I signed a law which made New 

Hampshire the first State to eliminate the payment of sub minimum wage for individuals who experience disabilities. Do you support the closure of sheltered workshops and ending the practice of paying a sub minimum wage to individuals who 

experience disabilities? 

Answer 3. Ensuring that everyone who wants to work has full opportunities to 

do so is a critical element of helping people to live their lives fully integrated into 

their communities. Increasing access and eliminating barriers to employment has 

been part of ACL’s mission since its creation, and I look forward to continuing that 

important work. 

RESPONSE BY BRETT GIROIR, M.D., TO QUESTIONS OF SENATOR MURRAY, SENATOR

SANDERS, SENATOR FRANKEN, SENATOR BENNET, SENATOR WHITEHOUSE, SENATOR

BALDWIN AND SENATOR WARREN

SENATOR MURRAY

Question 1. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) has a key 

role to play with regards to our Nation’s response to both HIV and hepatitis. What 

is your vision and plans to continue our Nation’s response to these public health 

issues? Will you continue to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the 

National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan? Will you commit to focusing efforts on areas 

where we know more needs to be done while sustaining and building on programs 

and activities that have been proven effective? 

Answer 1. If confirmed, it is my intent that OASH will continue its strong leadership role in implementing and extending both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and 

the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. There is much work to be done to reduce 

the number of new infections with increased prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

While we have made enormous progress, we should strive to do more. 

Question 2. Secretary Price has indicated that combating childhood obesity is 

among his top three clinical priorities, and yet we’ve seen little action from the Administration on this issue. In fact, Secretary Price praised FDA’s recent delay in implementing key menu labeling requirements. Under his watch, we’ve also seen a 

delay in important deadlines for updating the nutrition facts panel on packaged 

food. What role does access to accurate and comprehensive nutrition information 

play in supporting families’ healthy eating efforts? What role does such information 

play in combating childhood obesity? What would your priorities be with regards to 

addressing childhood obesity? 

Answer 2. As a pediatrician—and exercise enthusiast—with programmatic experience in obesity and diabetes, I fully support the Secretary’s prioritization of childhood obesity as one of his top objectives. If confirmed, I plan to work alongside the 

Secretary in developing, coordinating, and implementing effective initiatives to reduce childhood obesity through the programs that the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health administers. 

In terms of food labeling, I certainly agree that it is important to provide parents 

and children with meaningful, easily understood information. 

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Question 3. Recent outbreaks have underscored the dangers of delaying or avoiding recommended vaccines. If confirmed, you would oversee the National Vaccine 

Program Office (NVPO). What do you view as the key priorities for NVPO? Can you 

describe specific strategies NVPO can take to improve vaccine usage? What can 

NVPO do to increase adolescent and adult vaccination rates? HPV vaccination rates 

remain much lower than other adolescent vaccines, even though the vaccine prevents infections that can lead to cancer. What can be done, including by NVPO, to 

improve adolescent HPV vaccination rates specifically? 

Answer 3. Vaccines save lives. They are the most important health innovation of 

modern times. If confirmed, I will be a passionate advocate for vaccines while working to continue our effective and transparent monitoring systems to provide American families assurance that vaccines remain safe. While no public health intervention, including vaccinations is 100 percent risk-free, vaccines are the gold standard 

of disease prevention. It’s our job to provide parents high-quality, scientifically accurate information so that they can feel confident in the safety of the vaccines we recommend for American children. 

Question 4. Will you provide continued support for the current revision of our 

Physical Activity Guidelines and similarly, would you find ways under the current 

fiscal environment to optimize communication and release of those guidelines? 

Answer 4. As a fitness enthusiast, I understand the importance of physical fitness 

for healthy living. If confirmed, I will work collaboratively with the relevant agencies, including the CDC and NIH, to ensure that Americans have scientifically 

sound information about physical fitness and will support efforts to continue developing research initiatives to improve our evidence base. 

Question 5. The National Public Health Commissioned Corps is key to the defense 

of public health in our country and played an important role in Katrina, Ebola, and 

many other national and global crises. How will you work to elevate the National 

Public Health Commissioned Corps and their expertise in a modern way to assist 

in the response during the next public health emergency? What do you view as the 

greatest assets of the Corps? 

Answer 5. I am proud of the honorable and hard-working members of the Commissioned Corps. They are certainly an impressive and dedicated group of professionals. I look forward to working with them more to advance the President’s and 

the Secretary’s public health agenda and to protect the health of all Americans. 

Question 6. Title X is the only Federal grant program dedicated solely to providing 

individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. It is designed to prioritize the needs of low income families or uninsured people, including those who are not eligible for Medicaid. These individuals may not 

otherwise have access to these health care services. It promotes positive birth outcomes and healthy families by enabling individuals to decide the number and spacing of their children. Secretary Price has warned current multi-year title X grant 

recipients that their funding ends after this year, mid-way through the grant period, 

and they must compete again for funding that they have already been awarded. As 

Assistant Secretary for Health, you would oversee multiple grant making programs. 

Can you assure future grant recipients that if they receive grants for a certain term 

of years, the agency will not act to prematurely terminate those grants, which the 

recipients rely on to serve the highest need populations? Can grant recipients trust 

that they can rely on the funding they have been awarded by you? 

Answer 6. If confirmed, I commit to implementing the laws passed by Congress 

and signed by the President effectively and faithfully, and following the grant making rules and procedures of the Department. 

Question 7. HHS regional offices are incredibly important to the work the Department does in States and communities. How do you view the role of regional offices 

in supporting the priorities of the Department? 

Answer 7. It is certainly true that the majority of the Nation’s wisdom does not 

reside inside the borders of Washington, DC. I will definitely seek counsel and intelligence from the field, including from Departmental offices as well as, and perhaps 

especially, from State and local public health agencies and officials who are doing 

the bread-and-butter public health work protecting Americans every day. 

SENATOR SANDERS

Question. As you know, one in five Americans between the ages of 19 and 64 

years, cannot afford the medicines that their doctors prescribe to them. Additionally, 

more than 7 in 10 Americans support the idea of being able to purchase prescription 

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drugs that are imported from Canada. In detail, please share your position on drug 

importation from Canada? Are you familiar with the recent CBO analysis that has 

shown that importation would save the government $6.5 billion over 10 years? What 

would it mean for the health outcomes of the 35 million Americans who currently 

are unable to afford their medicines? 

Answer. The President and the Secretary have made reducing the financial pain 

at the pharmacy counter a major priority. As we carry out that initiative, the safety 

and quality of medicines that Americans take, as well as their affordability, will be 

our guide. 

SENATOR FRANKEN

Question 1. The President’s proposed budget and actions taken so far have sought 

to undermine the very programs that you will be charged with supporting. What 

will you do to ensure that public health and effective prevention measures remain 

a top priority at the Department of Health and Human Services? 

Answer 1. Preventable diseases and chronic diseases account for a majority of 

American health disparities and healthcare expenditures. Protecting the public’s 

health will of course involve a strong commitment to prevention, and the President’s 

budget recognizes this reality. If confirmed, I will work to keep prevention at OASH 

a top priority. 

SENATOR BENNET

Question 1. I was recently in Otero County, CO where drug overdoses have been 

increasing. The entire community was engaging to address the rise in opioid abuse. 

This included coordinating hospitals, the courts, schools and foster care services. 

Even when we see a decrease in prescription overdoses, it is usually countered with 

an increase in heroin overdoses. In the 1960s, more than 80 percent of heroin users 

started with heroin. In contrast, currently, about 80 percent of heroin users first 

started using prescription opioids. 

What are practical steps you plan to take to address the opioid crisis? 

How can we ensure that Americans are not becoming addicted in the first place 

while making it easier for people who currently have an addiction to obtain access 

to treatment? 

Answer 1. The Secretary has laid out a robust five-point plan for combating the 

opioid epidemic, grounded in expanding access to treatment, prevention and recovery services, promoting the use of overdose-reversing drugs, better and more realtime data, innovative research to develop new products in addiction prevention and 

treatment, and better provider practices when it comes to pain management. I am 

fully committed to helping him implement his plan—it is the right one and we must 

step up the fight to protect American communities from the terrible scourge of 

opioid addiction and overdose. 

Question 2. As you know, ‘‘super bugs,’’ or bacteria that are resistant to multiple 

antibiotics, are increasingly becoming a public health threat. Antibiotic innovation 

is failing to keep up with patient needs. This has left many patients struggling with 

severe and life-threatening infections without effective treatment options. At the 

same time, economic challenges have caused most pharmaceutical companies to stop 

investing in research and development for antibiotics. Last year, I worked with Senator Hatch to pass the PATH Act in 21st Century Cures. The bill created a new 

drug approval pathway to streamline access and encourage innovation for lifesaving 

antibiotics. 

What else can we do to encourage the research and development of antibiotics 

that treat life-threatening infections? 

Overuse of antibiotics is a main driver of antibiotic resistance. As the Assistant 

Secretary for Health, how would you help reduce inappropriate or excessive antibiotic use? 

Answer 2. You are absolutely right about the threat represented by antimicrobial 

resistance. If confirmed, I intend to engage in a personal way to support the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB), 

which is overseen by OASH, as well as the important work on this issue being done 

by CDC, FDA, ASPR, and other Federal partners. 

Question 3. Many chronic diseases are preventable or better managed when 

caught early. When they are not, there is a large cost burden on our society. The 

American Diabetes Association estimates that the economic cost of diabetes was 

nearly $250 billion in 2012, a 41 percent increase since 2007. In Medicare, 15 percent of the sickest enrollees that often have multiple chronic conditions, account for 

50 percent of Medicare spending. What is your strategy around prevention so that 

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certain chronic diseases are avoided or better managed in order for us to improve 

outcomes and save Medicare dollars? 

Answer 3. Preventable diseases and chronic diseases account for a majority of 

American health disparities and healthcare expenditures. There is clearly room for 

additional focus on preventive care to improve health and competitiveness, while 

being fiscally responsible and preserving our safety net and entitlement programs 

for future generations. If confirmed, I will work to keep prevention at OASH a top 

priority. 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Question 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that two 

million people develop antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States every year, 

resulting in at least 23,000 deaths. The Assistant Secretary for Health oversees the 

Presidential Advisory Council on combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which 

will expire on September 30 unless it is extended by Executive order of the President. 

Do you believe the Presidential Advisory Council on combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria has done effective work? If not, why not? 

Will you encourage the President to continue this important council and its work 

to combat antibiotic resistance? 

Answer 1. If confirmed, I intend to engage in a personal way to support the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB), 

which is overseen by OASH, as well as the important work on this issue being done 

by CDC, FDA, ASPR, and other Federal partners. 

Question 2. As the Assistant Secretary for Health, you would oversee the National 

Vaccine Program Office. You’ve been vocal about your support for childhood vaccinations, and their safety and importance to public health. President Trump, however, 

has repeated disproven claims about the dangers of vaccines—a position that seems 

at odds with your informed professional judgment. Will you work to ensure that 

only scientifically accurate information about vaccines is communicated to the public 

and to others in the Administration? 

Answer 2. Vaccines save lives. They are the most important health innovation of 

modern times. If confirmed, I will be a passionate advocate for vaccines while working to continue our effective and transparent monitoring systems to provide American families assurance that vaccines remain safe. While no public health intervention, including vaccinations is 100 percent risk-free, vaccines are the gold standard 

of disease prevention. It’s our job to provide parents high-quality, scientifically accurate information so that they can feel confident in the safety of the vaccines we recommend for American children. 

Question 3. The Assistant Secretary for Health oversees the Office of Population 

Affairs, which administers the title X family planning program and provides guidance on a range of reproductive health topics. President Trump’s pick to lead this 

office is someone who has called contraceptives ‘‘medically irresponsible,’’ despite the 

fact that she has no medical training. She has also said that the birth control pill 

doesn’t work, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. 

In your professional opinion, are the statements above about contraception true? 

Do you believe statements like these should be used to inform policies of the Department of Health and Human Services? 

What will you do as Assistant Secretary for Health to ensure the Department’s 

policies on women’s health are guided by science rather than ideology? 

Answer 3. I look forward to working with HHS staff if I am confirmed. I am committed to promoting the public’s health and applying evidence and common sense 

to our policymaking process. 

SENATOR BALDWIN

Question. There has been incredible progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS over 

the last 30 years. Through investments in HIV prevention, hundreds of thousands 

of new infections have been prevented, savings billions of dollars in treatment costs. 

While HIV prevention efforts are working, there are still an estimated 37,600 new 

infections each year. Similarly, hepatitis C (HCV) kills nearly 20,000 people in the 

United States each year and complications, and HCV-associated deaths now exceed 

the number of deaths from 60 other nationally notifiable diseases. Rates of new 

cases of HCV have increased nearly threefold from 2010, particularly as the opioid 

epidemic proliferates. 

Can you please discuss how you would continue our Nation’s response to these 

public health issues? 

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1 Heather D. Boonstra, ‘‘What Is Behind the Declines in Teen Pregnancy Rates?’’ Guttmacher 

Institute (September 3, 2014) (online at https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2014/09/what-behind-declines-teen-pregnancy-rates). 2Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, ‘‘What the Research Says 

. . . Abstinence—OnlyUntil—Marriage Programs’’ (online at http://www.siecus.org/index 

.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1195). 3 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ‘‘About HHS’’ (online at https:// 

www.hhs.gov/about/index.html). 4The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, ‘‘Fast Facts: Teen Pregnancy in the United States’’ (April 2016) (online at https://thenationalcampaign.org/sites/ 

default/files/resource-primarydownload/fastlfactslteenlpregnancylinlthelunitedlstates 

.pdf). 

Will you continue to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the National 

Viral Hepatitis Action Plan? 

Answer. If confirmed, it is my intent that OASH will continue its strong leadership role in implementing both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the National 

Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. There is much work to be done to improve over the status quo and reduce the number of new infections with increased prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. While we have made enormous progress, we should strive to 

do more. 

SENATOR WARREN

Evidence-Based Reproductive Health 

The Assistant Secretary for Health oversees multiple offices within the Department of Health and Human Services that promote the reproductive health of 

women, men, and teens across the Nation, including the Office of Women’s Health, 

the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, the Office of Population Affairs, and the Office of Adolescent Health. 

National reproductive health experts agree that evidence-based, scientifically accurate sexual education is critical to the control of sexually transmitted infections 

(STIs), including HIV/AIDS, as well as to the reduction in teen pregnancy rates: according to the Guttmacher Institute, ‘‘comprehensive sex education programs . . . 

have been shown to delay sexual debut, reduce frequency of sex and number of partners, increase condom or contraceptive use, or reduce sexual risk-taking.’’ 1 To the 

contrary, ‘‘abstinence-only’’ sex education programs have proven to be ineffective, if 

not detrimental, to efforts to reduce teen pregnancy and STI rates.2

As the Assistant Secretary for Health, it is essential that you understand—and 

act upon—the plethora of evidence showing that abstinence-only education does not 

promote the Department’s mission to ‘‘enhance and protect the health and wellbeing of all Americans.’’ 3

Question 1. Do you agree that policies demonstrated to increase the number of unintended pregnancies and STIs among teenagers should not be supported by HHS? 

Answer 1. If confirmed, I intend to develop and implement evidence-based policies 

and programs to, among other things, decrease unintended pregnancies, and STDs 

among all Americans, especially among teenagers. 

Question 2. As HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, would you commit to implementing and expanding evidence-based programs that improve teenagers’ reproductive health? 

Answer 2. See above. 

Question 3. Please provide a detailed description of steps you would take as HHS 

Assistant Secretary for Health to improve teenagers’ access to evidence-based reproductive health education and services. 

Answer 3. See above. 

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program 

Though teen pregnancy has reached historic lows, around 25 percent of teen girls 

in the United States will become pregnant by age 20.4 To combat teen pregnancy 

rates, the Office of Adolescent Health administers the Teen Pregnancy Prevention 

(TPP) Program, an ‘‘evidence-based program that funds diverse organizations that 

are working to prevent teen pregnancy across the United States.’’4 Since the proHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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5 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health, ‘‘Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP)’’ (online at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/grant-programs/ 

teen-pregnancy-prevention-programtpp/index.html). 6 Christine Dehlendorf, ‘‘Successful teen pregnancy prevention program threatened by funding 

cuts,’’ STAT News (April 20, 2017) (online at https://www.statnews.com/2017/04/20/successful-teen-pregnancy-prevention-programthreatened-funding-cuts/). 7 Christine Dehlendorf, ‘‘Successful teen pregnancy prevention program threatened by funding 

cuts,’’ STAT News (April 20, 2017) (online at https://www.statnews.com/2017/04/20/successful-teen-pregnancy-prevention-programthreatened-funding-cuts/). 8 U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions, ‘‘Murray, Senate Dems 

Challenge Trump Administration Over Move to Slash Teen Pregnancy Prevention; Dems Say 

Action ‘Short-Sighted,’ Will Make it Harder to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies’’ (July 21, 2017) 

(online at https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/murray-senate-dems-challenge-trump-administration-overmove-to-slash-teen-pregnancy-prevention-dems-say-action-shortsighted-will-make-it-harder-to-preventunintended-pregnancies-). 9Planned Parenthood Action Fund, ‘‘Title X: America’s Family Planning Program’’ (online at 

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/health-care-equity/title-x). 10 Health and Human Services Department, Compliance With Title X Requirements by Project 

Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients (December 19, 2016) (online at https://www.federal 

register.gov/documents/2016/12/19/2016-30276/compliance-with-title-x-requirements-byprojectrecipients-in-selecting-subrecipients). 11 Colin Dwyer, ‘‘Trump Signs Law Giving States Option to Deny Funding for Planned Parenthood,’’ NPR (April 13, 2017) (online at http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/13/ 

523795052/trump-signs-law-giving-states-option-to-deny-funding-for-planned-parenthood). 12 Juliet Eilperin, ‘‘Trump picks antiabortion activist to head HHS family planning section,’’ 

Washington Post (May 2, 2017) (online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/ 

wp/2017/05/01/trump-picks-antiabortionactivist-to-head-hhs-family-planning-program/?utml term=.292889b81423). 

gram’s implementation in 2010, teen childbearing has declined by 35 percent nationwide, suggesting that the program is ‘‘highly effective.’’ 5

Despite the effectiveness of the TPP Program, the Office of Adolescent Health announced on July 5, 2017, that it would cut short all 81 TPP grants and defund TPP 

grantees on June 30, 2018.6 OAH provided no rational for this decision. On July 21, 

I joined my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Price, requesting detailed information on the justification behind OAH’s decision.7

Question 4. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you commit to re-implementing the TPP grants that OAH cut short without explanation on July 5th? 

Answer 4. If confirmed, I commit to implementing the laws passed by Congress 

and signed by the President effectively and faithfully, and following the grant making rules and procedures of the Department. I also believe that the reasoning for 

decisions be transparent to Congress and the American people. 

Question 5. Will you commit to ensuring that Secretary Price, through the Office 

of Adolescent Health, provides a detailed response to the July 21st letter requesting 

OAH’s justification for shortening TPP Program grant agreements? 

Answer 5. See above. 

Title X Family Planning Program 

The Assistant Secretary for Health oversees the Office of Population Affairs, 

which runs the Title X Family Planning Program (Title X). The title X program 

funds basic reproductive health services—including cancer screenings, STI testing, 

and birth control—to over 4 million low-income Americans every year.8

In recent years, some States have attempted to exclude reproductive health centers that also provide abortion services from receiving title X funds. In December 

2016, the Obama administration issued a rule clarifying that title X recipients cannot be barred from receiving funds ‘‘on bases unrelated to their ability to provide 

title X services effectively.’’ 9 In spite of the critical services that title X provides, 

a Republican Congress—after calling in Vice President Pence for a tie-breaking 

vote—nullified this rulemaking through the Congressional Review Act.10

Teresa Manning, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs, has stated 

that ‘‘contraception doesn’t work’’ and that ‘‘its efficacy is very low.’’ 11 She has 

also—incorrectly—stated that a ‘‘dominant . . . mechanism of the morning-after pill 

is the destruction of a human life already conceived.’’12

If confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Health, it will be your responsibility to ensure that the Office of Population Affairs makes policy decisions regarding title X 

based on scientific evidence—not falsehoods. 

Question 6. Do you believe that ‘‘contraception doesn’t work’’ and that ‘‘its efficacy 

is very low’’? 

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13 Juliet Eilperin, ‘‘Trump picks antiabortion activist to head HHS family planning section,’’ 

Washington Post (May 2, 2017) (online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/ 

wp/2017/05/01/trump-picks-antiabortionactivist-to-head-hhs-family-planning-program/?utml 

term=.292889b81423); Planned Parenthood, ‘‘The Difference Between the Morning-After Pill and 

the Abortion Pill’’ (online at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/3914/6012/8466/ 

DifferencelBetweenlthelMorningAfterlPilllandlthelAbortionlPill.pdf). 14Kaiser Family Foundation, ‘‘Preventive Services for Women Covered by Private Health 

Plans under the Affordable Care Act’’ (December 20, 2016) (online at http://files.kff.org 

/attachment/Fact-Sheet-Preventive-Servicesfor-Women-Covered-by-Private-Health-Plans-underthe-Affordable-Care-Act). 15 HealthCare.gov, ‘‘Preventive care benefits for women’’ (online at https://www.health 

care.gov/preventive-carewomen/). 16Kaiser Family Foundation, ‘‘Preventive Services for Women Covered by Private Health 

Plans under the Affordable Care Act’’ (December 20, 2016) (online at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Fact-Sheet-Preventive-Services-for-Women-Covered-by-Private-Health-Plans-under-the-Affordable-Care-Act). 17 Adelle Simmons, Jessammy Taylor, Kenneth Finegold, Robin Yabroff, Emily Gee, and Andrew Chappel, ‘‘The Affordable Care Act: Promoting Better Health for Women,’’ ASPE Issue 

Brief (June 14, 2016) (online at https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/205066/ACA 

WomenHealthIssueBrief.pdf). 18Dylan Scott and Sarah Kliff, ‘‘Leaked regulation: Trump plans to roll back Obamacare birth 

control mandate,’’ Vox (May 31, 2017) (online at https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/ 

5/31/15716778/trump-birth-controlregulation). 

Answer 6. I look forward to working with HHS staff if I am confirmed. I am committed to promoting the public’s health and applying evidence and common sense 

to our policymaking process. 

Question 7. Do you believe that emergency contraception is akin to ‘‘the destruction of human life already conceived’’? 

Answer 7. See above. 

Question 8. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you push back against attempts in the Office of Population Affairs to implement policies based on inaccurate, 

scientifically disproven assumptions about contraception, regardless of efforts by 

others in the administration to implement policies based on falsehoods? 

Answer 8. See above. 

Question 9. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you advocate for adequate 

funding for the title X program? 

Answer 9. See above. 

Question 10. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you advocate for increased 

funding for the title X program? 

Answer 10. See above. 

Question 11. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you revive efforts within 

the Department to ensure that States do not deny title X funding to health providers for reasons other than their ability to provide reproductive health services? 

Answer 11. See above. 

Contraception and the Affordable Care Act 

Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires qualified health plans to 

cover ‘‘preventive services’’ for women (considered an ‘‘essential health benefit’’) 

without imposing cost-sharing.13 ‘‘Preventive health services,’’ for women, include 

FDA-approved contraceptive methods, with some limited exceptions for religious organizations.14

Prior to the full implementation of the ACA, one in five women reported that they 

‘‘put off or postponed preventive services’’—including contraception—due to cost.15

As a result of the ACA, over 55 million women with private health insurance have 

guaranteed coverage of these preventive services with no co-pays.16 And since the 

ACA was implemented, women have saved $1.4 billion in out-of-pocket cost spending for oral contraceptives. Yet in May 2017, a leaked rule from the Department 

suggests that HHS may be planning to overhaul the limited exceptions to the ACA’s 

contraceptive mandate, creating a ‘‘very, very broad exception for everybody’’ that 

would ‘‘allow[] any employer to seek a moral or religious exemption from the requirement.’’ 17

As the Assistant Secretary for Health, you would oversee the Office on Women’s 

Health, which ‘‘coordinates women’s health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women’s health issues.’’ 18

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19 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, ‘‘Who we are’’ 

(online at https://www.womenshealth.gov/about-us/who-we-are). 20 HIV.gov, ‘‘What is PACHA?’’ (online at https://www.hiv.gov/Federal-response/pacha/ 

about-pacha). 21Scott Schoette, ‘‘Trump Doesn’t Care About HIV. We’re Outta Here,’’ Newsweek (June 16, 

2017) (online at http://www.newsweek.com/trump-doesnt-care-about-hiv-were-outta-here626285). 22Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, ‘‘Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health 

(OASH)’’ (online at: https://www.hhs.gov/ash/index.html). 23Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, ‘‘HHS Office of Mi- nority Health Awards $2M to Help Reduce Lupus Related Health Disparities’’ (July 5, 2016) (online at: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=10338). Accessed August 1, 2017. 

Question 12. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you work with the Office 

on Women’s Health and other Department partners to oppose policies that would 

reduce women’s access to contraceptive services? 

Answer 12. I am fully supportive of women’s access to healthcare services. The 

system we ought to have in place is one that equips women and men to obtain the 

healthcare and preventive services that they need at an affordable price. 

Question 13. As Assistant Secretary for Health, what initiatives would you 

prioritize to ensure that women’s access to preventive health services, including contraception, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and STI screening, is maintained 

and expanded? 

Answer 13. See above. 

HIV/AIDS Programs 

The Assistant Secretary for Health oversees the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious 

Disease Policy. Along with the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, the 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health provides ‘‘management and support 

services’’ for the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).19 Yet in June 

2017, six members of PACHA resigned, stating that the ‘‘Trump Administration has 

no strategy to address the on-going HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero input from experts to formulate HIV policy, and—most concerning—pushes legislation that will 

harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse important gains made in the fight 

against this disease.’’ 20

Question 14. As Assistant Secretary for Health, would you prioritize HIV/AIDS 

initiatives and provide support to PACHA? 

Answer 14. Access to care for HIV/AIDS and related conditions is vital for the 

health of such patients. If confirmed, I commit to working within the capabilities 

of OASH to improve access to care for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as for all those 

in need of prevention or treatment services. 

Question 15. As Assistant Secretary for Health, will you commit to ensuring that 

all Americans maintain access to existing levels of care for HIV/AIDS and related 

conditions?21

Answer 15. See above. 

Question 16. Will you commit to expanding access to care for HIV/AIDS patients? 

Answer 16. See above. 

Question 17. As Assistant Secretary for Health, will you commit to maintaining 

existing levels of funding for HHS programs within your purview that combat HIV/ 

AIDS? 

Answer 17. See above. 

Inclusion of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Clinical Trials 

The Assistant Secretary for Health aims to ‘‘optimize the Nation’s investment in 

health and science to advance health equity and improve the health of all people’’ 

and oversees the Office of Women’s Health (OWH) and the Office of Minority Health 

(OMH).22 These two offices are responsible for promoting the health of women and 

racial and ethnic minorities and helping coordinate efforts across HHS and other 

Federal agencies to support policies and programs that reduce health disparities. 

Disparities in biomedical research are one factor exacerbating existing health disparities. Clinical trials are an essential component of drug innovation and development, and data from clinical trial research is used to shaping health care decisions, 

including coverage decisions. In July 2016, the OMH awarded a grant to ‘‘develop 

and begin implementing an education program on clinical trials that educates and 

recruits minorities and/or disadvantaged populations, particularly groups underrepresented in clinical research.’’23

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24 ‘‘National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria,’’ The White House (September 2014) (online at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/carblnational 

lstrategy.pdf), p.4. 25Food and Drug Administration, ‘‘2015 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals’’ (December 2016) (online at: http://www.fda.gov/ 

downloads/ForIndustry/UserFees/AnimalDrugUserFeeActADUFA/UCM534243.pdf). 

Question 18. Do you agree that the inclusion of women and minorities in clinical 

trials is important to developing new drugs and therapeutics, improving medical 

treatments, and addressing health disparities? 

Answer 18. As a physician and scientist, I have spent my career focusing on this 

area and believe it is vital that we strike the right balance between inclusiveness 

of potentially affected populations in clinical trials with the need to speed cures to 

patients. We have to work harder to achieve both goals. It is important for all Americans to know if they are eligible for clinical trials, and to particularly focus on rare 

diseases and minority populations. If confirmed, I commit to seek a broad diversity 

of opinions and include them in the public health decisionmaking process, consistent 

with my role. 

Question 19. As Assistant Secretary of Health, what specific steps will you take 

to educate women and minorities about clinical trials? What specific steps will you 

take to help recruit them for the trials? 

Answer 19. See above. 

Question 20. Do you agree that women and minority health concerns should be 

tightly integrated within all aspects of the Federal Government’s approach to health 

care and health research, including in the development of policy and programs? 

Answer 20. See above. 

Question 21. As Assistant Secretary of Health, what specific steps will you take 

to ensure that women and minorities are included in public health decisionmaking 

processes? 

Answer 21. See above. 

Combating Antibiotic Resistance 

The 2014 National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria brought 

together the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Defense 

to declare that, ‘‘the misuse and over-use of antibiotics in health care and food production continue to hasten the development of bacterial drug resistance, leading to 

the loss of efficacy of existing antibiotics.’’ 24 Through this initiative, we’ve made 

some significant progress establishing policies that better protect lifesaving antibiotics. 

There is strong and growing evidence that antibiotic use in food animals can lead 

to antibiotic resistance in humans, yet the use of medically important drugs in food 

animals continues to grow. According to the FDA, ‘‘Domestic sales and distribution 

of medically important antimicrobials approved for use in food producing animals 

increased by 26 percent from 2009 through 2015, and increased by 2 percent from 

2014 through 2015.’’ 25

Question 22. Do you agree that curbing the misuse and over-use of antibiotics in 

health care and food production should be a public health priority? 

Answer 22. If confirmed, I intend to engage in a personal way to support the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB), 

which is overseen by OASH, as well as the important work on this issue being done 

by CDC, FDA, ASPR, and other Federal partners. 

Question 23. As Assistant Secretary for Health, what specific steps will your office 

take to prevent the development of bacterial drug resistance? 

Answer 23. See above. 

RESPONSE BY ROBERT KADLEC, M.D., TO QUESTIONS OF SENATOR MURRAY, SENATOR

SANDERS, SENATOR CASEY, SENATOR FRANKEN, SENATOR WHITEHOUSE, SENATOR

BALDWIN, SENATOR MURPHY AND SENATOR WARREN

SENATOR MURRAY

Question 1. During the last reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), this committee included key provisions to ensure the 

unique needs and considerations of ‘‘at-risk individuals’’ are incorporated into preparedness and response activities and planning. Do you think these needs have been 

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sufficiently incorporated into ASPR’s activities? What more could be done to ensure 

the needs of at-risk individuals are met? What populations do you view as being at 

especially high risk in the event of a public health emergency? 

Answer 1. The reauthorization of PAHPA in 2013 provided additional authorities 

to address the needs of at-risk individuals. ASPR continues to work with its Federal, State, local, and community partners to better integrate the needs of at-risk 

populations, particularly those with access and functional needs, into its planning 

and its preparedness and response activities. ASPR does this by providing guidance 

and ensuring State and local public health grants include preparedness and response strategies to address at-risk population needs; ensuring the Strategic National Stockpile considers the needs of at-risk populations; overseeing the progress 

of, and considering the recommendations of, the Advisory Committee on At-Risk Individuals and Public Health Emergencies and many other work groups; and by developing training and best practices for preparing for, and responding to, the needs 

of at-risk individuals prior to, during and after a public health emergency. 

ASPR also created the Nation’s first interactive map that integrates big data on 

healthcare, real-time weather data, and Geographic information system (GIS) to 

help communities prepare for the needs of over 2.5 million people who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and other critical medical devices in every zip 

code. 

At-risk populations are those that could experience more severe effects from a disaster or attack. Easily identified are the very young and old or individuals with preexisting disorders or chronic conditions, which place them at greater risk for detrimental health effects in a disaster or public health emergency. Regardless of the underlying factor, as President John F. Kennedy noted, society will judge how well we 

address at-risk and vulnerable populations and afford them the appropriate care 

whatever the circumstance. 

I plan to fully assess ASPR’s current activities, and determine what ASPR is 

doing well, and what should be improved. Assisting at-risk populations will be incorporated into any improvements made to the work ASPR performs. 

Question 2. The more rapidly we can detect an emerging infectious disease threat, 

the more effectively we can protect the public from the spread of disease. This requires well-resourced tools, including a highly skilled public health workforce, stateof-the-art surveillance and diagnostic techniques, and research to deliver effective 

medical countermeasures. What gaps do you believe exist in our outbreak preparedness and response capabilities, and how should they be addressed? 

Answer 2. Since its creation, ASPR has helped coordinate the public health emergency, public health preparedness and response activities across HHS. The Hospital 

Preparedness Program (HPP) helps prepare our local medical workforce to prepare 

for public health threats as well as provide situational awareness in the event of 

an emergency. We must continue to buildupon the foundation at ASPR in these 

areas. Part of the evolution at ASPR in this area should be the creation of a ‘‘national contingency health care’’ system. There is an urgent need to better organize, 

train and equip our State and local healthcare systems, facilities and providers to 

ensure that they cannot only better respond to routine emergencies, but also to extraordinary events that are likely to occur. Here we have an opportunity to better 

integrate Emergency Medical Services, the ‘‘tip of the spear’’ of our national medical 

response into these efforts, and to increase effective coordination across HHS and 

the Federal departments, such as the Department of Defense and the Department 

of Veterans Affairs, to support State and local responders. 

To achieve this, we need to support the sustainment of robust and reliable public 

health security capabilities that include an improved ability to detect and diagnose 

infectious diseases and other threats, as well as the capacity to rapidly characterize 

and attribute them. 

Question 3a. One of the issues we have seen time and again is that the response 

to major crises, like the Ebola outbreak, Zika outbreak, and Flint water contamination, crosses agency lines. 

As you are well familiar, ASPR is intended to be the health lead during major 

disasters. How do you envision the coordinating role of ASPR? 

Answer 3a. The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response serves as the 

Secretary’s principal advisor on all matters related to Federal medical preparedness, 

response, and recovery for public health emergencies, as well as activities throughout HHS including human services. The Secretary has expressed a passionate commitment to public health security and resiliency and has high expectations for ASPR 

and its role in emergencies and disasters that affect HHS’s health, public health, 

and human services mission. 

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In this position, I will be the leader for preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters, including public health emergencies, which implicate HHS’s 

mission. I intend to maintain visibility and accessibility in order to direct coordination, within HHS and across other Federal agencies, to prevent duplication or uncoordinated efforts. The challenges we face today demand more effective Federal coordination to assist State and local health authorities and fully mobilize the private 

sector in response to such disasters and emergencies, especially public health emergencies. It will be my priority to integrate and support the capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food 

and Drug Administration, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and other 

agencies as well as increase coordination with external partners such as the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and State and local responders, among others. 

Question 3b. How would you work with the directors of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) and other relevant agencies both within and outside 

of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure appropriate 

management of a disaster response? 

Answer 3b. Appropriate management of response and recovery activities is contingent on both strong leadership and the fostering of effective routine, pre-crisis working relationships with the CDC Director and other senior leaders inside and outside 

of HHS. These relationships need to be framed by clear and documented expectations of ASPR’s and others’ roles and responsibilities, and a governance approach 

that can be effective in fully utilizing the equities and capabilities of each individual 

agency to elicit a more effective response effort. Additionally, I believe practice 

makes perfect. That is why I plan to increase the number of public health emergency exercises ASPR coordinates to ensure we are ready across HHS and other departments to respond when called upon. 

ASPR coordinates and collaborates across HHS through the Disaster Leadership 

Group (DLG). The DLG brings together senior leaders from across HHS, including 

the Director of CDC (or her representative(s)), to make decisions on policy issues 

that affect medical and public health systems during disasters which includes coordination on issues that impact national health security. 

Question 3c. How will your office work with the White House—which has not 

prioritized public health preparedness—to ensure coordination and avoid duplication 

of efforts? 

Answer 3c. ASPR has an impressive cadre of medical, public health, and other 

professionals, with both technical and policy expertise, who work closely with the 

National Security Council (NSC) staff through Policy Coordination Committees in 

preparedness matters and during responses. This ensures that ASPR provides the 

public health preparedness and response expertise that NSC needs to align these 

efforts with overarching administration policies. ASPR has worked closely with NSC 

to develop a series of frameworks for responding to emerging infectious diseases and 

chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats that delineate the 

roles and responsibilities of the NSC and the Federal departments and agencies. 

Question 4. In light of the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, how can the 

United States play a leadership role in combating this threat to national and international security? In what ways do you think the Combating Antibiotic Resistant 

Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) has helped or will help to combat 

the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? 

Answer 4. I believe antibacterial drugs underpin every facet of modern medicine 

and public health emergency preparedness and response. Antibiotics would be relied 

upon in the event of an attack with a bacterial threat agent like anthrax or pneumonic plague, but also in events where prolonged hospitalization was required or 

a patient’s immune system was impaired (e.g., exposure to immune-compromising 

agents, burn injury, radiation exposure). ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA) has advanced six antibiotic candidates into Phase III 

clinical development. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of one 

will be complete by the end of August and may represent the first BARDA supported antibiotic to enter the market. 

CARB–X in its first year has supported 18 different companies developing 17 candidate therapies and one point of care diagnostic that is capable of determining if 

an individual has viral or bacterial pneumonia. The 17 candidates are quite novel 

in their approach. There are 8 novel classes, 10 novel bacterial targets, and 5 nonantibiotic-based approaches that are capable of treating the infection. Collectively, 

the purpose of CARB-X is to build and maintain a robust preclinical pipeline of 

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novel antibacterial therapies that will mature into promising candidates for advanced development support and eventual FDA approval. 

Question 5. As I’m sure you know, last week Texas officials reported the first local 

case of mosquito-transmitted Zika since last fall. If confirmed, this would be the 

first case of nontravel-related Zika within the continental United States this year. 

The Zika virus presents a number of discrete challenges to any public-health response—for example, only about one-fifth of people infected with the virus experience symptoms. It is additionally the first mosquito-transmitted virus in history 

with the ability to cause birth defects, including microcephaly. Do you believe a robust family planning support network is necessary to your ability to address the 

Zika pandemic? If so, how do you respond to agency attempts to reduce access to 

family planning services? If not, why not? 

Answer 5. The challenge from the Zika virus remains an active ongoing concern 

for HHS. The risk it poses to pregnant females demands our best efforts to understand the risks to the unborn. We have to pursue a firm understanding of the etiology of all forms of the disease and a better understanding of the spectrum of complications that occurs in exposed babies. Until we have a vaccine that FDA has licensed as safe and effective, our best efforts must be focused on protecting expectant 

mothers from being exposed. Family planning support is only one arm of that effort. 

Aggressive environmental surveillance for Zika-infected mosquitos, eliminating their 

breeding grounds, and reducing the risk of pregnant women being exposed is our 

best course of action until we have a vaccine. 

SENATOR SANDERS

Question 1. Climate change is a serious threat to human health. Climate change 

can harm our health by threatening the quality and safety of our water supply and 

by increasing the risk and spread of vector-borne disease, extreme weather events 

and air pollution. Vulnerable populations—including low-income communities, communities of color, the elderly, young children, and those with chronic illnesses—bear 

the greatest burden of injury, disease and death related to climate change. President Trump has stated that ‘‘nobody really knows’’ whether climate change is real, 

yet the overwhelming scientific evidence shows that not only are climate change and 

its associated negative health impacts occurring, it also points to human activity as 

the primary cause of global warming over the past 50 years. 

How would you characterize the health threats posed by climate change and what 

will you do to address these threats? What can the Federal Government do to make 

sure State and local health departments have the tools and resources they need to 

protect the public from the immediate and long-term health threats associated with 

climate change? 

Answer 1. ASPR identifies, analyzes, prepares for, and responds to changing or 

emergent threat landscapes across an array of risk areas including natural and 

human-caused disasters and public health emergencies. This includes provision of 

technical assistance and guidance to key partners such as State and local public 

health agencies as well as participation in interagency efforts to ensure that public 

health concerns are appropriately integrated into overall planning and preparedness. Specific weather and climate-related public health concerns may include 

changing the severity or frequency of health problems that are already affected by 

climate or weather factors and unanticipated health threats in places where they 

have not previously occurred. 

SENATOR CASEY

Question 1. Many existing medical countermeasures (MCMs), including both vaccines and therapeutics, are only approved for use in adults, and lack pediatric formulations, dosing information or safety information. This poses serious challenges 

to our ability to protect children in the event of a disaster or disease outbreak. What 

steps can you take, if confirmed, to collaborate with industry, academia, Federal 

agencies and other BARDA partners to ensure that all MCMs available include appropriate pediatric formulations or doses, as appropriate? 

Answer 1. ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority 

(BARDA) continues to pursue and support expanding the indications of medical 

countermeasures (MCMs) to address ‘‘at-risk’’ individuals, including children, as 

mandated under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Many of the 

products that have been developed under Project BioShield (PBS) or for pandemic 

preparedness can be administered to pediatric populations or have ongoing or 

planned pediatric trials to expand their label indications. In addition, the Strategic 

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tients. Some of the products may have to be administered under an Investigational 

New Drug (IND) or through the issuance of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) 

by the FDA. ASPR also participates in the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters. Protecting children will be a priority issue during my tenure 

as ASPR. 

Question 2. During our meeting, we talked about the role of the ASPR in our public health preparedness efforts, and you shared some suggestions for steps you 

might take to improve coordination among Federal agencies, such as supporting a 

staff member at CDC to liaise between the CDC Director and yourself. What other 

steps would you take to ensure maximum coordination between Federal agencies 

and State and local partners, both vertically and horizontally? How would you ensure that all of HHS’s agencies working on preparedness and response are learning 

from previous emergency responses? 

Answer 2. What I learned about creating more effective coordinated responses 

comes from my time in U.S. special operations at a particular formative period after 

the failure at DESERT ONE. One of the findings of the Holloway Commission was 

that the stove piping and the lack of integration in planning and operations contributed to the failure. I personally saw and experienced this in the mid-1980s. Creating 

greater transparency by exchanging personnel, jointly working on planning for 

emergencies, and committing to regular joint exercises goes a long way to overcoming parochialism and uncoordinated efforts and to better integrated operations. 

In special operations, commanders must commit to this. It starts at the top. Having 

not been at the Department, I do not mean to suggest that the same kind of problems exist at the Department, or between ASPR and CDC, but these lessons would 

guide my efforts to ensure maximum coordination between agencies. 

Question 3. There is a saying in health care, ‘‘children are not small adults.’’ This 

holds true when we are talking about public health preparedness and biodefense. 

The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) is administered by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and provides funding to every State and territory to support health system preparedness, whether the system is responding to 

a pandemic, a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. HPP is the primary Federal 

funding program for hospital emergency preparedness and has provided critical resources to improve health care surge capacity. Can you describe how you plan to 

use the existing Federal funding mechanisms through the Hospital Preparedness 

Program (HPP) to ensure that the States and cities receiving HPP funding are prepared to meet the needs of children? 

Answer 3. In 2016, the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) began an intensive 

effort to revise its core guidance, namely the 2017–22 Health Care Preparedness and 

Response Capabilities. Throughout the revision process, ASPR engaged the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association to ensure that 

the needs of children are optimally integrated into HPP’s planning guidance. In addition, in HPP’s fiscal year 2017 funding opportunity announcement, awardees were 

required to submit a joint letter of support with their jurisdiction’s Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program, detailing how the two programs will 

work together during this budget period to meet the needs of children during emergencies. HPP and EMSC also have a joint performance measure to evaluate awardees’ capabilities to respond to pediatric emergencies. The specific program measure 

is the percent of hospitals with an emergency department recognized through a 

statewide, territorial, or regional standardized system that are able to stabilize and/ 

or manage pediatric medical emergencies. I will continue ASPR’s work with the 

HPP to ensure that it will meet the needs of pediatric patients in public health 

emergencies and disasters. 

Question 4. Over the last several months, I have sent multiple letters to HHS 

about the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act through executive action. HHS has failed to provide responses to 

many of my letters. If HHS has responded, the response letters have been wholly 

inadequate and have not been responsive to my requests. If you are confirmed, do 

you commit to respond in a timely manner to all congressional inquiries and requests for information from all Members of Congress, including requests from Members in the Minority? 

Answer 4. I intend to respond appropriately to all Member requests. 

SENATOR FRANKEN

Question 1. You have called for increased attention to public health and for funding for preparedness efforts. The President’s budget proposed an emergency fund for 

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infectious disease response but it drew its funding from transfers from existing programs. Would that emergency fund be sufficient for preparedness efforts? Based on 

your experience are additional funds needed? If so, what funding level would be 

ideal for such a fund? 

Answer 1. The fiscal year 2018 President’s Budget requests the authorization of 

the ‘‘Federal Emergency Response Fund,’’ to support the following priorities for domestic preparedness and global health: 

1. To prevent, prepare for, or respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threat, and, 

2. To prevent, prepare for, or respond to an emerging infectious disease. 

The Fund may be used for a public health threat or emergency that the Secretary 

of HHS determines has significant potential to occur. As such, the Fund may be 

used for preparedness efforts and to prevent a public health emergency. The Fund 

provides flexibility to the Secretary of HHS to address potential threats at earlier 

stages, thereby reducing the likelihood of a more severe impact on the health and 

security of American citizens. 

Public health and medical emergencies are unpredictable in nature, specifically 

with regard to the scope and magnitude of potential disease, injury, or death. Consequently, emergency supplemental appropriations, such as those used to respond 

to the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, could still be needed. However, the fund provides 

the Secretary of HHS the capability to respond quickly and nimbly, while the needs 

and resources of an emergency supplemental are determined. 

As the new Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, it will be one of 

my top priorities to ensure our public health, health system, and scientific research 

infrastructures are strong. This will be critical to mitigating the impact of potential 

public health emergencies, as well as to improve the overall health and well-being 

of U.S. citizens. To this end, I will actively identify where additional investments 

are needed and work with my HHS and Administration colleagues to communicate 

those needs to Congress. 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Question 1a. Preparedness for a naturally occurring global disease outbreak presents distinctly different challenges than preparedness for an intentional bioweapon 

attack. 

What are the key differences in being adequately prepared for a pandemic disease 

outbreak versus a bioweapon attack? 

Answer 1a. The basic capabilities required to prepare and respond to naturally 

occurring pandemics and bioweapon attacks are generally similar. For example, 

both require strong public health systems that are able to detect an event and respond with appropriate medical and non-medical interventions. Each also has 

unique differences. The scale, scope, and speed needed for a response to a bio-attack 

differ significantly from a naturally occurring pandemic. In addition, the national 

security consequences of a bio-attack are of greater consequence. Pandemic disease 

outbreaks generally affect populations across geographic and healthcare delivery 

system boundaries. In contrast, bioweapon attacks may be more localized, but can 

also immobilize entire healthcare delivery systems. A major difference, however, is 

that an adversary using a biological weapon is intent on affecting our national will, 

our economy and confidence in our government. In doing so, they would likely try 

to achieve maximum psychological and physical effects and use other attack modalities such as cyber and/or conventional weapons as well. As a result, pandemic disease outbreaks and bioweapon attacks differ in requirements for support and operational coordination. 

From an operation’s standpoint, ASPR’s preparedness for both an emerging infections disease and bioweapon attack must be multifaceted. ASPR requires clinical, 

pharmaceutical, and non-pharmaceutical tools to build capacity at the State, local, 

healthcare sector, and private sector levels. ASPR must have the capacity to develop 

(with its governmental and industry partners) the medical countermeasures necessary to respond to biological threats, to build the tools to support the immediate 

consequences of a biological threat, and to support States and communities in recovering from and mitigating the risk of future biological threats. 

Question 1b. What immediate steps will you take to improve our preparedness for 

both types of emergencies? 

Answer 1b. I will immediately work with government partners to assess our current capabilities for responding to global disease outbreaks and intentional bioweapon attacks that pose a threat to our homeland. Global disease outbreaks are 

different for an intentional bioweapon attack, primarily in timing. Global disease 

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outbreaks occur in waves that potentially provide some time to prepare, unlike an 

intentional bioweapon attack that would be an acute event with numerous individuals exposed in a very short timeframe requiring an immediate response. However, 

both types of emergencies require preparedness efforts to ensure an appropriate response. 

For global outbreaks such as pandemic influenza, ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced 

Research and Development Authority (BARDA) maintains stockpiles of pre-pandemic influenza vaccine, bulk product, and adjuvant that may be quickly manufactured into vaccines and antiviral drugs. To prepare for a bioweapon attack, ASPR 

works with its government partners to develop and stockpile medical countermeasures to address the negative health impacts of exposure to various threat 

agents. These include vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. For example, ASPR/ 

BARDA is supporting the development of early, in-home diagnostic technologies to 

be able to rapidly identify an outbreak, as well as platform-based production systems that will enable a more rapid medical countermeasure response to a known 

or unknown threat. 

One area that will receive my initial serious evaluation is our ability to rapidly 

distribute the medical countermeasures we have in our stockpile. 

Additionally, ASPR is working with its U.S. Government stakeholders to develop 

the first-ever National Biodefense Strategy, a comprehensive plan for how the 

United States will work across the executive branch to prepare for, prevent, detect, 

respond to, and recover from biological events, regardless of their source. I am committed to both the development of the Strategy, as well as to working within the 

Department to ensure that both ASPR and the Department take the necessary steps 

to implement the Strategy. 

Question 1c. How would you describe this administration’s current level of preparedness for a pandemic and for a bioweapon attack? 

Answer 1c. I intend to conduct a rapid assessment of the State of biodefense preparedness upon my entry on duty as the ASPR. 

Question 2a. BARDA uses its ‘‘TechWatch’’ program to work with smaller companies on the development of medical countermeasures, but I have heard from companies in my State that BARDA and other divisions of HHS could do more to support 

small companies in this space. 

How would you instruct BARDA to improve its engagement with small, innovator 

companies? 

Answer 2a. Capitalizing on the rapidly advancing biotechnology and life science 

is an essential element of a strategy to not just keep even with, but get ahead of 

the threats confronting the Nation. I will ensure that BARDA continues to invest 

in innovative technologies to address some of the most serious threats faced by our 

Nation. The TechWatch program has been successful in providing, to companies of 

all sizes, the opportunity to meet face-to-face with BARDA. BARDA’s mission is to 

support advanced research and development. In case technologies are not mature 

enough for consideration for BARDA, other PHEMCE partners such as the National 

Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense are invited to the meetings to 

provide additional avenues for potential partnerships. ASPR continues to exceed its 

small business goals and will invest in companies that have promising technologies, 

regardless of their size. BARDA subject matter experts work closely with all companies to support development of candidate products, especially those companies that 

may not have much experience in developing products. 

Question 2b. In addition to the TechWatch program, ASPR holds a yearly BARDA 

Industry Day which provides everyone the opportunity to interact with BARDA and 

ASPR’s Office of Acquisitions, Management, Contracting, and Grants. This venue 

provides opportunities for companies to ask questions regarding how to work with 

the Federal Government. 

The 21st Century Cures Act contains a provision called the Strategic Investor Initiative that offers new opportunities for ASPR and BARDA to invest in promising 

new technologies. I will ensure that we implement this provision and that the initiative receives the appropriate priority and resourcing to be successful. 

How will you ensure BARDA’s development and procurement activities don’t overlook small innovator companies that have less experience working with Federal 

partners? 

Answer 2b. Please see (a) above. 

Question 3. You have long advocated for a strong Federal role in, in your words, 

‘‘confronting the risk from deliberate biological threats.’’ Although many programs 

overseen by the ASPR were spared from proposed cuts in the President’s fiscal year 

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2018 budget, in my view the Trump administration has done little else to demonstrate its commitment to biodefense. Will you advocate for robust funding for and 

the prioritization of biodefense work within HHS and with other members of the administration? 

Answer 3. ASPR plays a critical role in preparing the Nation to face biological 

threats. My previous experience as Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Intelligence 

Committee and numerous other roles, have made clear the need for strong national 

biodefense capabilities. The threats we face are real, and the Department of Homeland Security has identified, through the material threat assessment, those of greatest concern. To prepare for these threats, we must continuously invest in the development of new medical countermeasures and ensure we are sustaining the production of countermeasures already developed. The Trump administration recently announced its intention to draft an updated national biodefense strategy. I look forward to being a part of that policy discussion and ensuring a comprehensive strategy with an accompanying implementation and resource plan is produced. 

Question 4a. Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to our health security. The 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that two million people develop antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States every year, resulting in at 

least 23,000 deaths. 

Do you believe combating antibiotic resistance is a matter of national preparedness? 

Answer 4a. Antibiotics underpin nearly every facet of modern medicine, and their 

continued effectiveness would be heavily relied upon in a mass public health emergency. Antibiotic resistance is a matter of national public health and a national security concern. Antibiotics would be relied upon in the event of an attack with a 

bacterial threat agent-like anthrax or pneumonic plague, but also in events where 

prolonged hospitalization was required or a patient’s immune system was impaired 

(e.g., exposure to immune-compromising agents, burn injury, radiation exposure). 

The development of new antibiotics will remain a priority for me. ASPR will continue to make progress in mitigating the threat posed by drug resistant infections 

through a number of mechanisms, including ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Development Authority’s (BARDA) clinical stage program, which has progressed six candidate antibiotics into Phase III clinical development, and CARB-X’s novel publicprivate partnership aimed at building an innovative preclinical stage pipeline of 

antibacterial therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines,. There are a number of ways the 

Federal Government can spur innovation in antibiotic research and development. 

Currently, the Federal Government provides push incentives that lower the research 

and development costs for new antibiotics. While push incentives are helpful, in 

order to adequately address the market challenges that BARDA’s industry partners 

face developing and marketing new antibiotics, completely new business models are 

needed. These models need to create a strong pull incentive that provides a known 

return on investment for the development of an antibiotic that addresses unmet 

medical need(s). If companies can rely on a certain level of return on their investment, it will drive additional private sector investment in research and development 

for this critical area. Under my leadership, ASPR will work to develop and implement such business models. 

Question 4b. As ASPR, will you prioritize the development of new antibiotics? 

Answer 4b. Please see (a) above. 

Question 4c. How can the Federal Government best encourage investments in antibiotic research? 

Answer 4c. Please see (a) above. 

SENATOR BALDWIN

Question 1. Our country has recently seen some of the most extreme public health 

outbreaks—from Ebola to Zika—and we know that the next outbreak could be right 

around the corner or just a plane ride away. I am particularly concerned about our 

country’s preparedness efforts for pandemic influenza. In 2004, we saw a dangerous 

shortage of influenza vaccine in the United States due, in part, to disruptions in 

vaccine production overseas, and we saw a deadly pandemic of H1N1 in 2009. 

Dr. Kadlec, what lessons did we learn from these experiences and how will you 

strengthen and maintain our stockpile of vaccines before we face the next influenza 

pandemic? 

Answer 1. The H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 and the more recent public 

health emergencies for Ebola and Zika have shown that pandemic influenza and 

emerging infectious diseases are serious and unpredictable. The disease can spread 

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1Lena H. Sun, ‘‘Outgoing CDC Chief Talks about Agency’s Successes—and His Greatest 

Fear,’’ Washington Post (January 16, 2017) (online at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ 

to-your-health/wp/2017/01/16/outgoing-cdc-chief-talks-about-the-agencys-successes-and-hisgreatest-fear/?tid=a inl&utmlterm=.8ca1cf116944). 

rapidly and, in most cases, funding to rapidly ramp-up response is dependent upon 

supplemental funding that often takes months to approve. This is why a Public 

Health Emergency Fund is essential for a quick response. Although the amounts in 

such a Fund may not be sufficient to complete the job, such funds would allow for 

efforts to begin immediately. The most effective mitigation requires deployment and 

vaccination before the peak of virus spread. The faster we can initiate product development and manufacturing activities, the quicker a vaccine will be available. 

ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has 

supported new cell- and recombinant-based technologies for pandemic influenza vaccines that have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. ASPR/ 

BARDA-supported development of adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine technologies serve to increase the number of vaccine doses that will be available by reducing the amount of antigen that is necessary to generate a protective immune response. ASPR/BARDA and its Federal partners are funding and conducting clinical 

trials to evaluate the safety and immunological response of pre-pandemic influenza 

vaccine stockpiles to make sure they remain safe and effective after long-term storage. This element of the strategy is particularly important. By working closely with 

our CDC and NIAID partners who identify potential pandemic influenza strains 

emerging globally, BARDA can commission the initial production of a pre-pandemic 

stockpile that (1) demonstrates the ability to produce an effective vaccine against 

that potential strain, and (2) creates an emergency stockpile that permits an immediate response should that strain emerge as a pandemic. 

ASPR/BARDA is also developing novel antiviral drugs and novel influenza therapeutics to mitigate the emergence of antiviral drug resistance often observed in influenza. The most important lesson learned is that an immediate response is necessary to mitigate the spread of disease. 

SENATOR MURPHY

Question 1. In the event of a pandemic, it is critical for the public health to be 

able to respond quickly and in a way that does not adversely impact the rest of the 

health care delivery system. To that end, we must ensure there are an appropriate 

number of drug delivery devices available to deploy therapies to patients in real 

time. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has 

the ability to manage this with existing contracts, but without regular task orders 

to maintain a viable level of product at-the-ready, I’m concerned we won’t be prepared. 

How will you ensure BARDA not only has contracts in place to provide a sufficient 

amount of drug delivery devices, but that BARDA also issues task orders against 

those contracts so that an adequate level of product is always on hand? 

Answer 1. ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority 

(BARDA) maintains indefinite deliverable/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts with 

producers of ancillary supplies for vaccine delivery. Periodically, ASPR/BARDA 

issues task orders to procure additional ancillary delivery supplies to refresh outdated inventory that is maintained for rapid response for pandemic preparedness. 

I plan to continue this approach to ensure these materials will be available when 

needed for a pandemic response. 

SENATOR WARREN

Pandemic Flu 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would lead the Federal 

Government response to a pandemic flu. Before leaving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2017, the former Director, Dr. Thomas 

Frieden, stated his concerns about such a pandemic, noting that the greatest public 

health threat we face is ‘‘always for an influenza pandemic,’’ and that ‘‘[I]f the resistant organisms emerge in one part of the world, they will inevitably come to other 

parts of the world.’’1

President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposal included $1.3 billion in cuts 

for the CDC and substantial cuts for key public health programs including $107 million in cuts for the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative 

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2Facher, Lev, ‘‘HIV programs, mental health: 8 ways Trump’s new budget might affect public 

health,’’ STAT (May 24, 2017) (online at: https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/24/trump-publichealth/). 

Agreements, $2 billion in State Department global health assistance.2 President 

Trump’s budget—and legislation attempting to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) would eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund 

and impose substantial cuts to the Medicaid program. 

Question 1. Do you agree with Dr. Frieden about the risks of a pandemic flu outbreak? 

Answer 1. I have the greatest respect for Dr. Frieden, as I have known him since 

he was New York City’s Public Health Commissioner. I would note that influenza 

is not the only pandemic threat. As we have witnessed, SARS and MERS (alpha 

coronaviruses) also represent potential pandemic threats. I would also add that a 

deliberate re-introduction of smallpox, either from retained cultures or synthetically 

produced, would present an equal or potentially greater risk. 

Question 2. What impact could substantial budget cuts have on pandemic flu preparedness? 

Answer 2. ASPR has invested significantly to establish domestic preparedness and 

response capacity and capabilities for an influenza pandemic. Substantial budget 

cuts could have an immediate impact on the Nation’s preparedness posture and, in 

the very near term, risk investments made in the past decade on infrastructure and 

medical countermeasure development and stockpiling. 

State and local jurisdictions and the U.S. healthcare system rely on ASPR’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) funding to prepare for all hazards, including 

pandemic influenza. Substantial budget cuts to HPP could lead to a diminished capability to enhance preparedness across the public health and medical continuum. 

Without the proper funding, there may be limited ability to validate plans, processes 

or procedures through exercises and to evaluate and identify strengths, gaps and 

shortfalls which could enhance preparedness. 

Question 3. What specific HHS programs under the purview of the Office of the 

Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response receive funding that is used for 

pandemic flu preparedness? 

Answer 3. ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority 

(BARDA) uses HHS funds to develop and procure medical countermeasures for pandemic influenza preparedness, including vaccines, adjuvants, antiviral drugs, 

diagnostics, respiratory protection devices, and ventilators. 

ASPR’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) receives funding to prepare the 

Nation’s healthcare system for all hazards, including pandemic influenza. HPP enables healthcare systems to save lives during emergencies that exceed day-to-day capacity of health and emergency response systems. HPP promotes a sustained national focus to improve patient outcomes, minimize the need for supplemental State 

and Federal resources during emergencies, and enable rapid recovery. 

Last, the international division within ASPR’s Office of Policy and Planning receives pandemic influenza funding which supports preparedness and response to 

pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious diseases with simultaneous domestic and international health security impacts. 

Question 4. How are these funds used in each program? 

Answer 4. See (3) above and the following: HPP grants enable recipients to prepare their healthcare systems to save lives through the development and 

sustainment of regional healthcare coalitions (HCCs) that incentivize diverse and 

often competing healthcare organizations with differing priorities and objectives to 

work together. Events that cause a surge in patients require healthcare facilities, 

including those that are not part of the same corporate network, to work together 

as part of a coalition to ensure that patients receive optimal and timely care. HPP 

grants enable HCCs to enhance surge capacity within hospitals, alternate care systems, and outpatient clinics to increase the number of patients that can be cared 

for during an emergency. ASPR’s international division also utilizes pandemic influenza funding. 

Question 5. What impact will the President’s budget have on funding in each of 

these program areas? 

Answer 5. As I have not been inside the Department, I have not been involved 

in budget discussions. In the role of the ASPR, I plan to ensure that we efficiently 

execute the Department’s core preparedness program missions. 

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3 Ranking Members Pallone and Engel letter to President Trump on the hiring freeze and impacts on preparedness (July 26, 2017) (online at: https://democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/ 

sites/democrats.foreignaffairs house.gov/files/Pallone-Engel%20CDC%20%staffing%20letter%200 

72617.pdf). 

Question 6. How will you address the impact of these proposed cuts? 

Answer 6. Budget and funding reductions, across government, are a reality during 

times of fiscal restraint. I intend to approach this challenge as an opportunity to 

creatively find new efficiencies in our operations and collaborate with partners to 

achieve the highest levels of readiness. This effort requires coordination within 

ASPR, HHS, and across the government to pinpoint areas where we can maximize 

the effective use of preparedness funding to get ‘‘more bang for the buck’’. 

ASPR will remain committed to preparing States, local jurisdictions, and 

healthcare systems for emergencies by providing substantive preparedness and response technical assistance to them, and by connecting them with resources and 

subject matter experts through ASPR’s Technical Resources Assistance Center and 

Information Exchange (TRACIE). TRACIE provides evidence-based applications, 

technology, and proven best practices to help States and communities build enhanced capacity and improve their knowledge and effectiveness. 

In addition to TRACIE, HHS’s emPOWER map provides de-identified data on populations reliant on lifesaving electricity-dependent medical equipment and 

healthcare services to inform disaster response. We will use these resources and others to support both Federal partners and partners at the State, local, tribal, and 

territorial levels in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to emergencies and 

disasters. 

Question 7. Specifically, what would be the impact of elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund on pandemic flu preparedness? 

Answer 7. It is important that we prepare for all threats, including pandemic flu. 

I am not aware of the extent to which current preparedness efforts are funded by 

the Prevention and Public Health Fund. I plan to be a strong advocate for ensuring 

that the agency has the resources it needs to address all threats. 

Question 8. How would you address these potential cuts if they are imposed on 

the Agency by the White House and Congress? 

Answer 8. Budget and funding reductions, across government, are unpleasant but 

necessary during times of fiscal restraint. I intend to approach this challenge as an 

opportunity to creatively find new efficiencies in our operations and reduce duplicative and unnecessary spending. This effort requires coordination to pinpoint areas 

within ASPR, HHS, and across the government where we can consolidate funding 

and responsibilities and more effectively and efficiently use our resources. 

Question 9. What do you believe are the most important steps needed to insure 

that the Nation is prepared for a potential pandemic flu outbreak? 

Answer 9. All aspects of pandemic influenza preparedness, response, mitigation, 

and recovery strategies are essential to our national preparedness. I believe the important steps to ensure our Nation is prepared for a pandemic flu outbreak include 

maintaining and improving our surveillance systems; improving processes for delivery, dispensing, and administration of medical countermeasures; advancing 

healthcare system surge capacity through greater coordination of inpatient and community-based healthcare service delivery; and having a dedicated workforce, trained 

and ready to operate when needed. 

Pandemic Flu and Hiring Freeze 

In January 2017, President Trump issued a Federal hiring freeze, resulting in 700 

vacancies at the CDC. While the hiring freeze has since been lifted, Secretary Price 

has left the hiring freeze in place at the Department of Health and Human Services, 

of which the CDC is a part.3 What will be the long- and short-term impacts on pandemic flu preparedness of President Trump’s hiring freeze? 

Question 10. Does this Executive order apply to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)? 

Answer 10. I am aware of the hiring freeze issued by the President that was administered across the government. The Executive order, and the guidance issued by 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the Executive order, included exemptions to the hiring freeze for 

positions relating to public health/safety and national security. My understanding 

is that HHS created and implemented a process to exempt such positions from the 

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4 Reince Priebus, ‘‘Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies,’’ White 

House Office of the Press Secretary (January 20, 2017) (online at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ 

the-press-office/2017/01/20/memorandum-heads-executive-departments-and-agencies). 5 ‘‘Presidential Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,’’ 

White House Office of the Press Secretary (January 30, 2017) (online at: https://www.whitehouse 

.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/30/presidential-executive-order-reducing-regulation-and-controlling). 6Mark Sandy, then-Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, ‘‘Memorandum: 

Implementation of Regulatory Freeze,’’ White House Office of the Press Secretary (January 24, 

hiring freeze. I also understand that the hiring freeze, to the extent applicable, has 

now been lifted. 

Question 11. Has the Executive order prevented ASPR from hiring any employees 

since it was put in place in January 2017? 

Answer 11. I have not been privy to ASPR’s hiring decisions during my confirmation process. 

Question 12. Will this Executive order cause ASPR to reduce the projected number 

of staff employed by the agency to address pandemic flu preparedness and other 

emergencies? 

Answer 12. The Executive order, and the guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the Executive order, included exemptions to the hiring freeze for positions relating to public health/safety and national security. My understanding is that HHS created and 

implemented a process to exempt such positions from the hiring freeze. I also understand that the hiring freeze, to the extent applicable, has been lifted. 

Question 13a. Has the OMB provided clear guidance and a clear timeline on implementation of the exemption process? 

In the event of a pandemic flu outbreak, will you exempt any positions at ASPR 

from the hiring freeze because they are necessary ‘‘to meet national security or public safety responsibilities’’? 

Answer 13a. The Executive order, and the guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the 

Executive order, included exemptions to the hiring freeze for positions relating to 

public health/safety and national security. My understanding is that HHS created 

and implemented a process to exempt such positions from the hiring freeze. I also 

understanding that the hiring freeze, to the extent applicable, has been lifted. 

Question 13b. How many positions will be exempted in this manner? Please provide a detailed list of these positions. 

Answer 13b. The Executive order, and the guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the 

Executive order, included exemptions to the hiring freeze for positions relating to 

public health/safety and national security. My understanding is that HHS created 

and implemented a process to exempt such positions from the hiring freeze. I also 

understand that, as of June 2017, to the extent applicable, the hiring freeze was 

lifted and ASPR has been able to resume hiring for all requested positions. 

Question 13c. Does the exemption apply to prevention personnel engaged in preparedness activities, or does it only apply to an emergency once a pandemic has 

begun? 

Answer 13c. The Executive order, and the guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the 

Executive order, included exemptions to the hiring freeze for positions relating to 

public health/safety and national security. My understanding is that HHS created 

and implemented a process to exempt such positions from the hiring freeze. My understanding is that the exemption process applied to both preparedness and emergency response personnel. 

Pandemic Flu and Regulatory Freeze 

On January 20, 2017, President Trump imposed an Executive order freezing all 

regulations in progress,4 and on January 30, 2017, he issued a second Executive 

order, imposing a new requirement that ‘‘whenever an executive department or 

agency publicly proposes . . . a new regulation, it shall identify at least two existing 

regulations to be repealed.’’ 5 OMB guidance on this order allows exemptions ‘‘for 

emergency situations or other urgent circumstances relating to health, safety, financial, or national security matters, or otherwise.’’ 6 It is not clear how those exempHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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2017) (online at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/24/implementation-regulatory-freeze). 7Mark Sandy, then-Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, ‘‘Memorandum: 

Implementation of Regulatory Freeze,’’ White House Office of the Press Secretary (January 24, 

2017) (online at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/24/implementation-regulatory-freeze). 8 U.S. Public Health Emergency Web page, ‘‘Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 

and Response (ASPR)’’ (online at: https://www.phe.gov/about/aspr/pages/default.aspx). 

tions will apply to regulation or guidance from CDC or other HHS agencies and programs, whether they apply to prevention efforts, or how they will be implemented 

in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. 

Question 14. In previous outbreaks, has the ASPR needed to impose any new regulations—either to address short-term concerns, to respond to ‘‘lessons learned’’ during the outbreak, or to prevent future outbreaks? 

Answer 14. It is my understanding that ASPR compiles lessons learned following 

every emergency. With those lessons in hand, we can work to inform decisionmakers 

about what is needed to help us better prepare for the next response. My intent is 

to ensure these lessons learned can be collected quickly and be evaluated and 

shared across Federal agencies and with State and local authorities. 

Question 15. Would the Executive orders imposing a regulatory freeze and requiring the repeal of two existing regulations for every new regulation put in place potentially prevent ASPR from imposing similar regulations in a future pandemic flu 

outbreak? 

Answer 15. HHS already has the powers and authorities necessary to address a 

pandemic influenza outbreak, or other public health emergency, under the Public 

Health Service Act. However, each emergency is different. If confirmed, you have 

my commitment that we will conduct a thorough review following every emergency 

to pinpoint areas for improvement, including any obstacles that need to be addressed. 

Question 16. Has OMB provided clear guidance and a clear timeline on implementation of the Executive order’s exemption process ‘‘for emergency situations or other 

urgent circumstances relating to health, safety, financial, or national security matters, or otherwise?’’ 7 In the event of a pandemic flu outbreak, will these exemptions 

be necessary for ASPR to impose new regulations? 

Answer 16. Under the Public Health Service Act, ASPR has the powers and authorities necessary to fulfill its mission during a public health emergency like pandemic influenza. With that in mind, I will welcome any opportunities for improvement and efficiencies provided by the Administration or Congress. 

Vaccines 

Question 17. President Trump has linked vaccines to autism and has embraced 

vaccine ‘‘skeptics.’’ 

Do you believe that there is any scientific or medical validity to President Trump’s 

concerns about vaccine safety? If so, please indicate which sources lend scientific or 

medical validity to his concerns. 

Answer 17. There is abundant evidence that vaccines are safe. They remain a cornerstone of public health and biodefense strategies. 

Question 18. Are you concerned that President Trump’s statements may dissuade 

members of the public from receiving flu or other vaccines? 

Answer 18. Vaccinations are a critical component of our national health resiliency 

and national security. With that in mind, I am very confident in the U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration’s work to uphold vaccine safety and efficacy. ASPR works with 

its industry partners and FDA to ensure that all vaccines manufactured under the 

Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA) are safe and effective to protect the American people. While BARDA does issue contracts to stockpile 

some items prior to FDA approval, data on patient safety of the therapies or vaccines are reviewed prior to stockpiling. 

Coordination in Response to Public Health Emergencies 

The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) focuses on preparedness and public health emergency response.8 The President’s hiring freeze and 

fiscal year 2018 budget request would impact the U.S.’s ability to properly respond 

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9 Emily Baumgaertner, ‘‘Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts Trouble Bioterrorism Experts,’’ New 

York Times (May 28, 2017) (online at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/28/us/politics/biosecurity-trump-budget-defense.html); Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense Strategy statement 

on proposed closure of biodefense laboratory (July 12, 2017 (online at: http://www.biodefense 

study.org/news-item/blue-ribbon-study-panel-on-biodefense-statement-on-proposed-closure-of-biodefense-laboratory); Jeff Schlegelmilch, ‘‘5 Ways the President’s Budget Blueprint Could Change 

the Way We Respond to Disasters,’’ The Hill (May 3, 2017) (online at: http://thehill.com/blogs/ 

pundits-blog/homeland-security/331818-5-ways-the-presidents-budget-blueprint-could-changethe). 10Kai Kupferschmidt, ‘‘How Canadian Researchers Reconstituted an Extinct Poxvirus for $100,000 Using Mail-Order DNA,’’ ScienceInsider (July 6, 2017) (online at: http:// 

www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/07/how-canadian-researchers-reconstituted-extinct-poxvirus100000-using-mail-order-dna). 11 Jeff Bessen, ‘‘GMOs Lead the Fight Against Zika, Ebola and the Next Unknown Pandemic,’’ 

AP (July 27, 2016) (online at: https://apnews.com/a86a1ba205154be4b175a1c11406332e/gmoslead-fight-against-zika-ebola-and-next-unknown). 12 Jonathan Landay, ‘‘White House Developing Comprehensive Biosecurity Strategy: Official,’’ 

Reuters (July 20, 2017) (online at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-security-biodefenseidUSKBN1A52HZ). 13S. 2943, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Section 1086 (online at: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2943/text). 

to a public health emergency or disaster, such as pandemic flu, Ebola, or a bioterrorist attack.9

Question 19. What would substantial budget cuts mean for the Administration’s 

ability to coordinate across departments and agencies in the event of a public health 

emergency, such as pandemic flu, Ebola, or a bioterrorism attack? 

Answer 19. Without the proper funding, there may be limited ability to validate 

plans, processes or procedures through exercises and to evaluate and identify 

strengths, gaps and shortfalls which could enhance preparedness. 

Question 20. What would a hiring freeze mean for the Administration’s ability to 

coordinate across departments and agencies in the event of a public health emergency? 

Answer 20. Currently, there is no Administration hiring freeze. Should a hiring 

freeze be implemented in the future, it is likely that there would be exemptions for 

public health/safety and national security personnel. I would expect HHS to implement such exemptions. ASPR needs a trained, qualified and credentialed team to 

effectively and efficiently manage response and recovery operations. I will work with 

partners throughout HHS to ensure ASPR has the workforce it needs to prepare 

and respond to public health emergencies. 

Question 21. The ASPR plays an important role in coordinating agencies and departments involved in the response to a public health emergency. Does the ASPRs 

coordinating role change depending on whether the emergency event originates domestically or internationally? 

Answer 21. ASPR is the Secretary’s principal advisor on all matters related to 

manmade and naturally occurring public health emergencies. This includes medical 

preparedness, response, recovery, as well as activities throughout HHS including 

human services. ASPR, on behalf of the Secretary, is also the Emergency Support 

Function—8 (ESF–8) Coordinator under the National Response Framework. The 

ASPR’s role in protecting the health security of our Nation is the same whether the 

threat starts within or outside our borders. 

Gene Editing and Synthetic Biology 

Researchers in Canada recently reported that they reconstructed the currently extinct horsepox virus, an evolutionary relative of the smallpox virus, using commercially available genetic material.10 The researchers are partnering with New Yorkbased Tonix Pharmaceuticals to develop a safer human smallpox vaccine, and potentially new cancer therapeutics, highlighting the dual-use potential of this and related research and development.11

The advent of easy-to-use and relatively cheap biotechnological tools, such as 

rapid DNA sequencing and gene editors, underlines the importance of developing a 

national biodefense strategy, including a plan for emergency preparedness and development of medical countermeasures. Last month, the White House announced it 

is developing such a comprehensive biodefense strategy,12 as required by the fiscal 

year 2017 (FY 2017) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).13 The bill charges 

the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security, 

and Agriculture to develop a strategy and implementation plan to address our NaHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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tion’s biodefense, including ‘‘prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation.’’ 

Question 22. Do you agree that research, such as that using gene editing and synthetic biology technologies, is essential to advancing the development of medical 

countermeasures? 

Answer 22. As the ASPR, I will consider the implications and potential advancements that would result from all of the latest technologies. Like any new technologies, their potential and implications need to be evaluated. It will be a subject 

that I will carefully monitor going forward. 

Question 23. What steps will you take to work across agencies and departments 

and with other stakeholders to ensure that dual-use research, such as that using 

gene editing and synthetic biology technologies, is conducted in a responsible and 

ethical manner, while also promoting and supporting such research? 

Answer 23. ASPR has been a leader in the effort to determine how to manage 

and balance the need for scientific research and discovery with respect to potential 

bioterror and pandemic agents, and the potential risks posed by this type of research. 

HHS policies provide a mechanism for ongoing oversight and review of high risk 

research to help ensure that important research can proceed, while minimizing safety and security risks. I look forward in my role to participating and contributing 

to this important task. 

RESPONSE BY ELINORE F. MCCANCE-KATZ, M.D., TO QUESTIONS OF SENATOR MURRAY, SENATOR SANDERS, SENATOR CASEY, SENATOR FRANKEN, SENATOR BENNET, 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE, SENATOR BALDWIN, SENATOR MURPHY AND SENATOR WARREN

SENATOR MURRAY

Question 1. Access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and assessment, and to the full spectrum of evidence-based therapeutic services, is necessary to recognize and appropriately address mental health and substance use disorder needs for all individuals. Untreated mental health disorders lead to higher 

rates of family dysfunction, poor school performance, juvenile incarceration, substance use disorder, unemployment, and suicide. For example, in 2012, more than 

5,000 children and youth aged 10 to 24 died by suicide, making it the second-leading 

cause of death in this age range. Behavioral health needs are often identified and 

addressed in different settings, not just primary or behavioral health care settings. 

For example, social workers often identify behavioral health needs in schools. How 

do you plan to support and strengthen these activities, especially outside primary 

or behavioral health care settings? 

Answer 1. Given my previous work at SAMHSA, I am aware of the agency’s longtenured investment in treating children in their communities and in natural settings. Concurrently, SAMHSA has invested in prevention and treatment programs 

for young people that have a strong evidence base. Moving these programs and practices to settings beyond primary and behavioral health care settings is critical. The 

21st Century Cures Act also provides instruction and funding to address issues related to behavioral health in children and families outside of healthcare settings. 

I will work with Federal partners and national stakeholder groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America, both of which 

are grassroots, community-based organizations that can help with outreach in community settings and dissemination of education about issues related to behavioral 

health in communities. I will also be looking to States and Congress as partners in 

helping SAMHSA consider how best to serve our families. 

Question 2. You have mentioned the importance of incorporating psychosocial 

variables when engaging the mentally ill. There is concern that taking too rigid a 

view of evidence-based practices will overlook critical aspects of everyday life, such 

as stable housing, education, obtaining and maintaining an occupation. If confirmed 

as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, how will you ensure psychosocial variables are included in the dissemination of research findings 

and evidence-based practices to service providers? In addition, how will the new National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (NMHSUPL) promote 

evidence-based practices and service delivery models that address psychosocial variables? 

Answer 2. There is a research base for assertive community treatment programs 

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ployment and even more basic needs, such as how to shop for food and other necessities which are associated with positive outcomes. My goal is to see psychiatric 

medical care and psychosocial service providers work together to assure that Americans receive the spectrum of services necessary for recovery. 

The National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (NMHSUPL) 

was newly stood up as a result of the 21st Century Cures Act to promote evidencebased practices and service delivery models, including those that address psychosocial variables. I look forward to working with my colleagues at SAMHSA in establishing processes for coordinating across SAMHSA programs and the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, and engaging a wide range of stakeholders 

including Federal partners, providers, patients, research institutions and others to 

ensure that SAMHSA policy is guided by the best evidence and information about 

the state of the behavioral health field. 

Question 3. For over 40 years the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been leading efforts to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes 

for racial and ethnic populations. The program was recently authorized in the 21st 

Century Cures Act, which we passed last year. Can you elaborate on how you will 

ensure the program continues as authorized and on the importance of having a behavioral health workforce in reducing health disparities? 

Answer 3. The behavioral health workforce continues to have major shortages of 

professionals and care providers that serve minority communities. It is vital that we 

continue to build the behavioral health workforce pipeline. I look forward to supporting programs that increase the behavioral health workforce and improve behavioral health care outcomes for racial and ethnic populations. 

SENATOR SANDERS

Question. The President’s budget includes extremely drastic cuts to the Substance 

Abuse and Mental Health block grants during a time when other behavioral health 

programs also are being considered for funding cuts. This has the potential to dismantle our country’s mental health and substance abuse system, and to walk back 

the progress we have made around mental health and substance abuse care in the 

last decade. 

If confirmed, and as the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, what are you planning to do to strengthen the service system and improve access to critically needed substance abuse, mental and behavioral health 

services? 

Answer. I plan to review current programs and determine those that are producing positive results for individuals with substance use disorders and serious 

mental illness. I will be a strong advocate for the programs that are working. 

SENATOR CASEY

Question 1. Substance use disorder, including the opioid epidemic, continues to be 

one of the most pressing public health problems facing our country. Given what we 

know about the impact of exposure to traumatic events in childhood, including an 

increased vulnerability to substance use disorders, what ongoing initiatives or new 

efforts might SAMHSA support to address this critical issue in a comprehensive and 

coordinated way? 

Answer 1. There is evidence showing a strong correlation between opioid addiction 

and traumatic experiences, particularly early childhood adversity. 

There are multiple strategies that SAMHSA can implement to address addiction 

in a comprehensive and coordinated way, building on existing mechanisms. For example, SAMHSA convenes, in partnership with the Department of Labor, an Interagency Trauma Workgroup, consisting of multiple departments and agencies. This 

workgroup coordinates collaborative interdepartmental efforts focusing on prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders that may be associated 

with trauma and is expanding their work to address the connection between early 

adversity, trauma and opioid use and misuse. In taking on this leadership role in 

SAMHSA, I will continue to work with the national stakeholder groups representing 

providers, people living with mental and substance use disorders, and families that 

can provide input to SAMHSA regarding whether there are other actions that could 

be taken to better address issues related to childhood adversity, challenges, and 

trauma. We can review State models that have had success in addressing these 

issues and disseminate that information nationally, as well as explore what actions 

in this area other agencies, such as the Departments of Labor, Education, and Housing and Urban Development, may have pursued. 

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Question 2. The Administration has proposed massive cuts to Medicaid through 

its budget proposal and through efforts to repeal the ACA. The House’s budget bill 

proposes cutting $1.4 trillion from Medicaid. As you know, Medicaid is the primary 

funder for public mental health treatment and the availability of mental health 

services is sorely lacking. Do you support these proposed cuts to Medicaid and how 

will you advocate for more mental health services in an environment that is proposing to cut massive amount of funding for the services? 

Answer 2. I support the goal of ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable coverage that best meets their needs and those of their families, including mental health services. I am committed to advocating on behalf of those needing these 

services. I would see a significant part of my role as Assistant Secretary for Mental 

Health and Substance Use as working closely with the States and others to improve 

efficiencies in these programs and to focus the use of funds on evidence-based practices to maximize their reach and impact. 

Question 3. Dr. McCance-Katz, the President’s budget included drastic cuts to 

both the Substance Abuse and Mental Health block grants at a time when other 

behavioral health programs are also being considered for funding cuts. This has the 

potential to dismantle our country’s mental health and substance abuse system. As 

Assistant Secretary, and more specifically as the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, what are you planning to do to strengthen the service system and improve access to critically needed behavioral health services? 

Answer 3. One of my goals as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use will be to address the integration of care, specifically behavioral health 

and primary care. I look forward to meeting with stakeholders across the Department and governmentwide, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 

to explore opportunities to develop strategies for better alignment and integration 

of behavioral health and primary care. One of my primary goals will be to reach 

out to Federal agencies and to providers about the need to both integrate and colocate these services. 

Question 4. What is your view of the role and importance of behavioral treatment 

approaches and peer support versus psychotropic medication in the treatment of 

mental health and substance use disorders? 

Answer 4. I don’t see behavioral treatment approaches/peer support and psychotropic medication treatment as mutually exclusive. My goals include focusing on 

both psychiatric treatment, which is essential to restoring one’s mental capacity and 

psychosocial services, which are essential to assisting a person in recovery. In leading SAMHSA, I am committed to reinforce the understanding that psychiatric care 

and the use of medications along with behavioral treatment is critical to patient 

care. 

Question 5. How do you plan to incorporate and learn from the wide range of 

stakeholders in the mental health and substance use field—including providers, consumers, and researchers—to help inform your vision for the agency during your tenure in this Administration? 

Answer 5. I think it is of paramount importance to engage a wide range of stakeholders to help inform SAMHSA’s efforts. I plan to listen and learn from stakeholders in a variety of ways including one-on-one conversations, addressing major 

conferences and allowing time for questions and answers, reaching out to key coalitions such as the Mental Health Liaison Group and the Parity Implementation Coalition, and visiting prevention, treatment and recovery support organizations. I have 

been a practicing psychiatrist and a funded researcher and have worked in State 

government both in California and Rhode Island. I have sought out stakeholders to 

inform my approach to psychiatry and addiction psychiatry and will continue to 

seek stakeholder input. I see these groups representing providers, consumers, and 

families as essential to my success and to helping to assure that SAMHSA is doing 

the best it can to meet the needs of Americans with mental and substance use disorders. As a clinical researcher, I will continue to keep up to date on research 

progress and findings and to use SAMHSA to help to disseminate these findings so 

that States/communities can make use of evidence-based practices in their programs. 

Question 6. Will you commit to responding to monitoring and oversight questions 

from all committee members and be responsive to our requests for information? 

Answer 6. I am fully committed to responding appropriately to congressional oversight inquiries and to work cooperatively with committee Members and staff to provide accurate and timely responses. 

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Question 7. During the questioning at the August 1 hearing you mentioned that 

health insurance plan benefits is a reason why many individuals do not receive adequate mental health treatment. What will you do to ensure mental health coverage 

parity and to expand access to mental health and substance abuse treatment for 

those who need it? 

Answer 7. My understanding is that SAMHSA has already begun efforts to provide States support through technical assistance, access to national experts, individualized coaching, and product development. I am encouraged that SAMHSA led 

these efforts in collaboration with DOL and CMS (CMCS/CCIIO) and, with the opportunities afforded by the 21st Century Cures Act and the momentum of the Parity 

Policy Academies, I look forward to continuing to lead efforts in assisting States in 

advancing parity implementation. 

Question 8. Over the last several months, I have sent multiple letters to HHS 

about the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act through executive action. HHS has failed to provide responses to 

many of my letters. If HHS has responded, the response letters have been wholly 

inadequate and have not been responsive to my requests. If you are confirmed, do 

you commit to respond in a timely manner to all congressional inquiries and requests for information from all Members of Congress, including requests from Members in the Minority? 

Answer 8. I am fully committed to responding appropriately to congressional oversight inquiries and to work cooperatively with committee Members and staff to provide accurate and timely responses. 

SENATOR FRANKEN

Question 1. Can you highlight some of the benefits and successes that have 

stemmed from mental health block grant funds? President Trump’s budget recommends cuts to the mental health block grant. How would these reductions affect 

access to services for people with mental illness and substance use disorders, especially at a time when the country is facing an opioid epidemic? 

Answer 1. The mental health block grant funds have enabled States to provide 

evidence-based services to those with mental illness and substance use disorders. I 

believe that people with mental illness and substance use disorders need access to 

services, and I will be a champion for ensuring that they are able to receive these 

services. 

Question 2. Can you describe which patients, from your perspective, may be able 

to benefit most from peer support services? Based on your review of the evidence, 

at which stage of treatment are these peer support services appropriate for different 

population groups? 

Answer 2. I believe that peer professionals will, over the coming years, become 

a standard resource available to people struggling with mental and/or substance use 

disorders. Those who participate in training programs gain skills in how to work 

as part of a care team and support all aspects of a person’s treatment plan including 

psychiatric care. This psychiatric care often includes psychotropic medications that 

are, in my view as a psychiatrist, very valuable. While the evidence base is nascent, 

there are studies that show the benefit of peer involvement in a person’s care. A 

person available within the community to assist a person in accessing the recommended treatments and resources and serving as a source of support is valuable. 

SENATOR BENNET

Question 1a. I was recently in Otero County, CO where drug overdoses have been 

increasing. The entire community was engaging to address the rise in opioid abuse. 

This included coordinating hospitals, the courts, schools and foster care services. 

Even when we see a decrease in prescription overdoses, it is usually countered with 

an increase in heroin overdoses. In the 1960s, more than 80 percent of heroin users 

started with heroin. In contrast, currently, about 80 percent of heroin users first 

started using prescription opioids. 

What are practical steps you plan to take to address the opioid crisis? 

Answer 1a. I am committed to helping Secretary Price advance his five-point plan 

to address the opioid epidemic. As a leader in the field of addiction psychiatry, I 

plan to engage in each strategy: strengthening public health surveillance, advancing 

the practice of pain management, improving access to treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, targeting availability and distribution 

of overdose-reversing drugs, and supporting cutting-edge research. I am also aware 

that both the 21st Century Cures Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act provided specific actions that SAMHSA and other HHS and Federal agenHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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cies can undertake to address the crisis, and I will be working across the government to implement these. In addition, I plan to prioritize prevention initiatives in 

the form of education of the American people and continue to advocate for training 

of healthcare practitioners so that they can receive the DATA waiver and prescribe 

buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder. 

Question 1b. How can we ensure that Americans are not becoming addicted in the 

first place while making it easier for people who currently have an addiction to obtain access to treatment? 

Answer 1b. Prevention and treatment are both key components to addressing the 

opioid crisis. I know the Department has issued the Opioid State Targeted Response 

grants that will help States address treatment for those struggling with addiction. 

An important part of prevention is the education of providers and the American people—people need to know about the dangers presented by such activities. 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Question 1. The President has proposed deep cuts to SAMHSA programs. Do you 

believe cutting funding for SAMHSA will benefit people with mental health and substance use disorders? 

Answer 1. I believe that we should ensure that resources spent are truly benefiting Americans with mental health and substance use disorders. I commit to being 

an advocate for programs that are proven to work and provide help to those in need. 

Question 2. As you know, the opioid epidemic is currently one of the biggest public 

health challenges facing Rhode Island and the States of many of my colleagues. Last 

Congress, we passed The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a law 

I co-authored. CARA authorizes several important SAMHSA programs, including 

programs to treat pregnant and post-partum women struggling with addiction, 

medication-assisted treatment programs, naloxone training programs, and peer-topeer recovery programs. I was pleased that these programs received funding as part 

of the fiscal year 2017 appropriations bill, and hope they will continue to receive 

funding in the coming years. Do you support the full funding of the programs authorized by CARA, and will you work within the Administration and with Congress 

to ensure funding these programs is a priority? 

Answer 2. CARA is an important law that will help SAMHSA to address the 

opioid epidemic head-on. I look forward to implementing these programs and will 

work to ensure that they are implemented consistent with the CARA. 

Question 3. You have previously written that SAMHSA spends too much time on 

peer support and recovery services. 

Do you support SAMHSA’s current programs related to peer support and recovery 

services? 

As Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, will you prioritize 

SAMHSA’s peer support and recovery work? 

Answer 3. I believe that peer professionals will, over the coming years, become 

a standard resource available to people struggling with mental and/or substance use 

disorders. Those who participate in training programs gain skills in how to work 

as part of a care team and support all aspects of a person’s treatment plan including 

psychiatric care. This psychiatric care often includes important psychotropic medications. While the evidence base is nascent, there are studies that show the benefit 

of peer involvement in a person’s care. A person available within the community to 

assist a person in accessing the recommended treatments and resources and serving 

as a source of support can be valuable. 

Evidence-based medical treatment of serious mental illness must be a major focus 

for SAMHSA. I will prioritize the full spectrum of evidence-based services to assist 

those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. This will include 

openly embracing evidence-based medical treatment of these disorders as well as 

psychosocial supports, which include peers. 

Question 4. You have written favorably about the Affordable Care Act’s expansion 

of mental health and substance use disorder coverage. In the aftermath of last 

week’s votes, I hope that the Senate can begin working in a bipartisan way to improve our health care system, without jeopardizing the coverage gains we’ve made 

under the ACA. As the Senate continues its work to reform our health care system, 

maintaining health insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders will be a priority of mine. If asked for your expertise on this issue, will you 

advocate for policies that help expand access to mental health and substance use 

services? 

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Answer 4. I will be a strong advocate for people with mental health and substance 

use disorders and will advocate for policies that promote access to coverage and the 

critical services on which these patients rely. 

Question 5. As Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, how 

will you approach the prevention of and screening for mental illness and behavioral 

disorders in children? 

Answer 5. Mental illness, emotional and behavioral disorders tend to have their 

onset in adolescent and young adult developmental periods and increasingly we are 

realizing that early signs of these disorders appear even earlier in childhood, but 

often go unrecognized by practitioners. 

There is burgeoning research documenting the capacity to link results of early 

childhood screening with later problematic behaviors, including mental disorders, 

substance use disorders, problematic school behavior and subsequent involvement 

with the juvenile justice system. Child, family, societal human and fiscal costs have 

been documented. 

As Assistant Secretary, it is clear that we will need to look at behavioral health 

as a two-generational issue and that screening for these issues in children and families needs to be the standard of care. 

Question 6a. As you know, key members of the behavioral health community— 

psychologists, community mental health centers, and psychiatric hospitals, among 

others—are not eligible to receive incentive payments for adopting certified electronic health record (EHR) technology under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs (Meaningful Use). Last year’s SAMHSA ‘‘Leading Change’’ report 

included health information technology as one of six ‘‘Strategic Initiatives.’’ 

Will you continue to make the dissemination and effective use of health IT among 

behavioral health providers a priority within SAMSHA? 

Answer 6a. I plan to continue to make dissemination and effective use of Health 

IT among behavioral health providers a priority within SAMHSA especially in rural 

and extremely rural areas across the Nation. 

Question 6b. As Assistant Secretary, in what ways will you promote the use of 

health IT among behavioral health providers? 

Answer 6b. As Assistant Secretary, I plan to coordinate on Department-wide initiatives focused on IT integration and will assist with outreach to the behavioral 

health provider community. 

Question 7. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was 

passed in 2008, and although it has been fully implemented, enforcement continues 

to be a problem. What steps will you take to improve Federal enforcement of mental 

health parity? 

Answer 7. I will continue to ensure that SAMHSA supports efforts at mental 

health parity implementation. SAMHSA’s leadership and partnership with States, 

providers, and consumers positions the agency uniquely to provide guidance and 

support in the advancement of MHPAEA. 

Question 8a. In Rhode Island, you created the Centers of Excellence program, 

which brings together doctors, nurses, counselors, peer professionals, and others to 

provide patient-centered care to individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment. 

As you know, the medication is just one part of medication-assisted treatment, and 

additional services are often needed to support recovery. 

As Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, how would you 

evaluate promising treatment models being used at the State level? 

Answer 8a. In developing the model for the Centers of Excellence (COE) for Rhode 

Island, we also determined outcomes that would help to inform whether these programs were providing the impact and benefit we hoped for. These variables include: 

number of people referred into COE treatment, number of people who complete admission/induction (engagement), number of people receiving medication-assisted 

treatment (MAT), number of successful discharges to community office-based opioid 

use disorder providers, number of negative toxicology screens (opioid), number of 

opioid toxicology screens obtained, number of negative toxicology screens (all other 

illicit substances), number of toxicology screens obtained (all other illicit substances), number of patients admitted to the emergency department, number of hospitalizations over course of treatment, and number of patients remaining in COE 

until referral to another provider (retention). These types of variables can be generalized to substance use disorder treatment programs to assess effectiveness. 

SAMHSA can explore with States how to develop systems to collect such data. 

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Question 8b. How would you share those models with other States or communities 

that could benefit from them? 

Answer 8b. A major and important function of SAMHSA is to be a repository of 

epidemiological data, evidence-based practices, and promising models. SAMHSA has 

information reported to it by the States and can facilitate dissemination in a number of ways such as: informational webinars and dissemination through other information technology tracks, written documents, and use of SAMHSA national programs that provide training and peer support including provider clinical support 

systems and addiction technology transfer centers as examples. 

SENATOR BALDWIN

Question 1. As HHS implements the 21st Century Cures Act, I hope that, if confirmed, you would pay close attention to the mental illness with the highest mortality rate—eating disorders. The eating disorder provisions included in the law, derived from the bipartisan Anna Westin Act of 2015 (H.R. 2515/S. 1865), were designed to improve eating disorder early detection by our health professionals, increase access to quality and affordable treatment for eating disorders under mental 

health parity, and provide the public with resources to help prevent and identify the 

disorder. Taking swift action to implement these provisions is critical to ensuring 

meaningful access to treatment for men and women with an eating disorder, specifically by incorporating the eating disorders parity rulemaking into existing mental 

health parity regulations. 

Will you commit to swiftly advancing the rulemaking process to implement the 

eating disorders mental health parity provisions? 

Answer 1. I recognize the importance of provisions enacted by Congress and reflected in the 21st Century Cures Act emphasizing that Mental Health Parity and 

Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requirements should fully apply to eating disorders. My understanding is that in June 2017, HHS published a guidance/frequently asked questions document that notes the applicability of parity provisions 

to eating disorders, citing the 21st Century Cures Act and requesting public comment regarding ‘‘whether any additional clarification is needed regarding how the 

requirements of MHPAEA apply to treatment for eating disorders.’’ I will ensure 

SAMHSA will work with CMS and DOL to review comments and to develop further 

guidance on these issues as necessary. 

Question 2. As a physician, can you discuss the importance of intermediate level 

of care benefits for the treatment of severe eating disorders? 

Answer 2. People with eating disorders require high-quality health care. Several 

levels of specialty care may be best for people with eating disorders. The goal is to 

help the person get to a normal weight and normal eating. The best treatment option depends on the severity of the disorder and the person’s past response to treatment. An intermediate level of care, such as day treatment or partial hospitalization, can address medical conditions and provide psychological support. This can be 

done as a transition from inpatient to outpatient care. It can also be an alternative 

to inpatient care. 

SENATOR MURPHY

Question 1. As you know from your past experiences in Connecticut, my State has 

a proud history of the recovery movement. As I mentioned in our meeting, some 

groups have been critical of your nomination based on some of your past writings 

regarding the recovery model. 

Can you discuss the balance that needs to be struck between medication and recovery supports? Also, can you explain the role that you believe peers should play? 

Answer 1. I believe that for those with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who experience hallucinations and delusions—which 

are prominent symptoms in these disorders and which can be associated with behaviors that can cause serious harm to the people affected and/or others—medical 

treatment including psychotropic medication and psychiatric care must be available. 

There is a large evidence base supporting medication treatment, and it is the standard of care for those with these types of symptoms associated with serious mental 

illness. However, I also strongly support psychosocial interventions including peer 

support to provide encouragement, assistance in getting services needed, and to provide a model for recovery instilling hope (all of this is predicated on the idea that 

the peers are supportive of medical care recommended for the individual). I do not 

believe that either medical interventions or peer support alone provide for all of the 

needs of persons affected by serious mental illness. Therefore, I will continue to enHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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courage partnerships between medical services and recovery-support services—indeed, I see medical services as a recovery support. 

Question 2. I was fortunate to work with Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member 

Murray and Senator Cassidy on the mental health bill that eventually was passed 

in the 21st Century Cures Act. One of my top priorities in that bill was SAMHSA’s 

integration program because studies have shown that despite overall gains in life 

expectancy, individuals with serious illnesses is attributable to acute and chronic comorbid physical conditions, such as heart disease. 

I know the Mathematica interim evaluation of this program recently showed substantial improvements in physical health outcomes among clients who have chronic 

physical health conditions at enrollment and positive trends in functional improvement and substance use. I am hopeful that the changes that we made in the Cures 

Act will also improve the outcomes for grantees and lead to States breaking down 

barriers that can discourage integration. 

Unfortunately, the administration has proposed eliminating funding for the program in its budget request. Can you talk about the importance of integrating mental 

health and physical health care and why the administration would zero out this 

funding? 

Answer 2. I consider the integration of physical and behavioral health services to 

be very important to improving health outcomes. I have not been privy to discussions about the budget prior to my confirmation, so I cannot speak to the budget 

request. I have worked in integrated-care systems in my clinical practice, and I have 

supported and encouraged establishment of integrated healthcare systems in my 

government work. I will continue to do so. I also believe that we must integrate the 

treatment of mental and substance use disorders given the high rates of co-occurring disorders and look forward to reviewing the data on Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs), which SAMHSA has worked to establish with 

the States. 

Question 3. As you know, Congress has put a focus on the needs of individuals 

with early serious mental illness. As SAMHSA noted in its fiscal year 2018 budget 

justification, 

‘‘The majority of individuals with serious mental illness experience their first 

symptoms during adolescence or early adulthood, and there are often long 

delays between the initial onset of symptoms and receiving treatment. The consequences of delayed treatment can include loss of family and social supports, 

reduced educational achievement, incarceration, disruption of employment, substance abuse, increased hospitalizations, and reduced prospects for long-term recovery.’’ 

Most recently, Congress increased this setaside from 5 percent of the Mental 

Health Block Grant to 10 percent. There are promising models targeted to this population, including Yale’s Specialized Treatment for Early Psychosis (STEP) program. 

STEP patients are hospitalized nearly 50 percent less than other patients and when 

they do need a hospitalization, the length of stay averages 6 fewer days than standard treatment. Additionally, approximately one-third more STEP patients were engaged in vocational training and these individuals were more involved in outpatient 

mental health treatment. 

Can you describe the importance of programs like STEP and what Congress and 

SAMHSA should be doing to scale their reach? 

Answer 3. There are now a number of evidence-based approaches that can successfully provide services and supports to individuals experiencing a First Episode 

Psychosis (FEP). These approaches, based on the evidence-based Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model, have a number of common elements including an interdisciplinary team approach that focuses on the comprehensive needs of the patients 

served by providing rapid access to high-quality treatment and offering support in 

areas such as employment and education. SAMHSA can help to scale the reach of 

these programs through dissemination of information about this approach and findings related to use of these approaches from research studies and from States’ experiences. SAMHSA has a long track record of making such information available and 

will continue this important function going forward. Similarly, SAMHSA leadership, 

given opportunities, can speak to the benefit of these programs as another means 

of information dissemination. 

Question 4. Will you prioritize the treatment of emerging serious mental illnesses, 

such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders in transitional age youth? If so, how? 

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Answer 4. There has been an increasing amount of clinical research, such as the 

North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study, examining the prodromal phase in 

order to understand and develop interventions to mitigate psychosis. Transitionalage youth and young adults who present with prodromal symptoms are at increased 

risk for developing clinical psychosis, which can be one of the most chronic, debilitating features of serious mental illness. Early detection and intervention in people 

at risk for developing psychosis can be successful in delay of the first episode and 

reducing the severity of illness. I believe this is an important area for continued research and focus. SAMHSA, working collaboratively with NIMH, can assist with dissemination of the evidence base for prodrome and approaches/interventions designed 

to ameliorate these symptoms and improve the quality of life for young people at 

high clinical risk for psychosis. 

Question 5. Mass violence events, like the tragedy that occurred in my State at 

Sandy Hook Elementary School, have lasting effects on our children, families, and 

the community at-large. Federal programs like the SAMHSA-administered National 

Child Traumatic Stress Initiative have played an important role in supporting the 

acute and long-term mental health needs of our community as we continue to recover from this terrible tragedy. 

How will you guide SAMHSA’s efforts to strengthen our national capacity to prevent and respond to traumatic events like this? 

Answer 5. SAMHSA’s strength comes from its collaboration, coordination, and 

communication with community, State, regional, and Federal partners in all phases 

of response and recovery. SAMHSA further works to ensure behavioral health is 

meaningfully addressed in local, regional, State, and Federal response plans and 

provides tools and guidance to ease its inclusion. 

I will ensure that SAMHSA continues to update and disseminate tools describing 

best practices, informational materials, and fact sheets addressing aspects of response and recovery. I will explore and evaluate grant programs that address needs 

which cannot be met in other ways and make sure that lessons from those programs 

guide our best practices and inform disseminated materials as well. I will also support evidence-based early intervention programs that SAMHSA has overseen in the 

States. I will support ongoing technical assistance to States as they seek the best 

and most appropriate interventions for their communities including education about 

serious mental illness, recognition of potential illness, and how to access resources. 

I will continue to encourage healthcare-practitioner education and explore mechanisms for increasing the number of psychiatrists, physicians, and allied providers 

who are trained to provide mental health services in communities. I will openly and 

actively endorse recovery supports including psychiatric medical care for those 

struggling with serious mental illness. 

Question 6. Recent research has shown that there is a link between childhood exposure to trauma and subsequent substance use problems. 

In what ways can you ensure that issues related to child and adult trauma are 

part of substance use disorder and opioid programs that you will oversee in your 

role as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use? 

Answer 6. SAMHSA has provided significant leadership in the area of child and 

adult trauma. Screening tools, interventions, and informational materials, and a 

framework for addressing trauma and implementing a trauma-informed approach in 

multiple health and human service systems has been well-articulated with increasing uptake in different sectors. This framework and associated interventions can 

more intentionally and systematically be implemented in our substance use disorder 

and opioid specific programs. Further, substance use disorder treatment programs 

must include evaluation of both substance use and mental disorders (as well as assessment of physical illnesses) given the high rates of co-occurring mental disorders 

in those with primary substance use disorders (approximately 40 percent). Assessment for mental disorders should include assessment for trauma and trauma-associated mental disorders. SAMHSA can use its existing training programs, such as the 

Providers Clinical Support Systems and the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers, 

to disseminate best practices in these areas. Further, SAMHSA can prepare and disseminate special topic trainings in this area. SAMHSA has a strong record of highquality presentations with national experts that are well attended by practitioners 

and the public. 

Question 7. Mental Health America’s recent launch of a national certification program for peer support specialists shows that creating a workforce of peers will be 

a key ingredient in the future of mental health and substance use care delivery. 

Do you support an effort to add peer workers to the care workforce and, if so, how 

would you support this effort? 

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Answer 7. I believe that for those with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who experience hallucinations and delusions—which 

are prominent symptoms in these disorders and which can be associated with behaviors that can cause serious harm to the people affected and/or others—medical 

treatment including psychotropic medication and psychiatric care must be available. 

There is a large evidence base supporting medication treatment, and it is the standard of care for those with these types of symptoms associated with serious mental 

illness. However, I also strongly support psychosocial interventions including peer 

support to provide encouragement, assistance in getting services needed, and to provide a model for recovery instilling hope (all of this is predicated on the idea that 

the peers are supportive of medical care recommended for the individual). I do not 

believe that either medical interventions or peer support alone provide for all of the 

needs of persons affected by serious mental illness. Therefore, I will continue to encourage partnerships between medical services and recovery-support services—indeed, I see medical services as a recovery support. 

SENATOR WARREN

Medicaid 

As the Nation’s first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use 

Disorders, you will play a central role in efforts to guarantee and expand access to 

behavioral health services. In combination with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid 

expansion have provided critical guarantees of access to behavioral health services. 

Medicaid covers a disproportionate share of individuals with individuals with mental illness—22 percent of adults with mental illness and 26 percent of adults with 

serious mental illness received Medicaid coverage in 2015. 

President Trump has supported legislation that would cut Medicaid by more than $700 billion, converting it to a per capita cap or block grant system. His budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 (FY 18) also proposed an additional cut to Medicaid of over 

$600 billion. 

You have previously emphasized the role of the ACA and Medicaid expansion in 

reducing barriers to addiction treatment. 

Question 1. Do you agree that Medicaid plays an essential role in ensuring that 

individuals with mental health and addiction disorders can access medically necessary treatment? 

Answer 1. Yes, Medicaid provides access for eligible people with mental health 

and addiction disorders to receive medically necessary treatment. 

Question 2. Do you agree that hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid 

would have a negative impact on the ability of individuals with mental health and 

addiction disorders to access health care? 

Answer 2. I support the goal of ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable coverage that best meets the needs of themselves and their families, including 

mental health services. I see a significant part of my role as Assistant Secretary for 

Mental Health and Substance Use as being an advocate for those with mental and 

substance use disorders and to address their treatment and recovery service needs. 

Opioid Epidemic 

At the core of the opioid epidemic has been the over-prescribing and misuse of 

addictive and dangerous prescription painkillers. CMS reported that generic Vicodin 

was prescribed to more Medicare beneficiaries than any other drug in 2013—more 

than blood pressure medication, more than cholesterol medication, more than acid 

reflux medication. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that over 

70 percent of adults who misuse prescription opioids get the medication from friends 

or relative, so efforts to reduce the amount of unused medications in the home is 

a powerful new tool to tackle prescription drug abuse. The Comprehensive Addiction 

and Recovery Act, passed in July 2016, includes a bipartisan provision that I 

worked on with Senator Capito which empowers patients to talk to their physicians 

and pharmacists about partially filling their prescription medications in order to reduce the amount of unused opioids in circulation. 

In Massachusetts, more 2,000 individuals died from opioid overdoses in 2016. The 

illicit distribution, sale, and increased use of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid 

that is more potent than heroin, has further contributed to this public health crisis—particularly in New England States like Massachusetts. A November 2016 

study by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found that of the opioidrelated fatalities in the State in which toxicology screens were available, 74 percent 

of individuals tested positive for fentanyl. 

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Question 3. Do you believe that reducing the number of unused medications in 

the home is an important tool in tackling the misuse of prescription medications? 

Answer 3. Yes. Providing education to both prescribers and patients is important 

to reduce the number of unused medications in the home and the risks of misuse 

that come with it, especially with regard to opioid medication. 

Question 4. What will you do to work with other agencies and the physician community to address the overprescribing and misuse of addictive prescription medications, while still ensuring that patients who need pain medication can receive it? 

Answer 4. Secretary Price has made the opioid epidemic one of the Department’s 

top clinical priorities. I look forward to working across agencies to ensure that physicians are educated on the clinical guidelines for the prescribing of opioids. I have 

worked for a number of years at the interface of pain management and addiction. 

I was the former medical director of SAMHSA’s national training and mentoring 

program, Providers’ Clinical Support System for Opioids (PCSS–O). I have worked 

with patients and their families on reducing unsafe opioid use in the context of ongoing pain. 

I believe SAMHSA has a major role to play in educating providers and the public. 

I would welcome the opportunity to work with Congress on this important issue. 

Question 5. How will you work with States, physicians, pharmacists, and patient 

groups to increase awareness about partial-fill policies? 

Answer 5. I look forward to coordinating across agencies to ensure that States, 

physicians, pharmacists, and patient groups are aware of partial-fill policies. 

Question 6. You have advocated for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as an 

important evidence-based addiction treatment. How will you work to ensure that 

other influential health officials in the Administration understand the value of this 

treatment? 

Answer 6. I know that HHS is committed to bringing everything the Federal Government has to bear to address the health crisis opioids pose. The first pillar of the 

HHS opioid strategy is to improve access to treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and all health officials in the Administration understand the value of this treatment. I look forward to working with both 

my Federal colleagues as well as members of the HELP Committee to continue to 

advance MAT as a component of evidence-based addiction treatment. While MAT 

alone is not enough, MAT addresses tolerance and withdrawal and gives many people the ability to participate in counseling, psychotherapy, and other necessary recovery supports that form the basis of a comprehensive recovery program. 

Question 7. As Assistant Secretary, what specific steps will you take to build on 

HHS’s efforts to support communities that are dealing with the impact of fentanyl 

use on the rise in fatal overdose rates? 

Answer 7. I will help coordinate HHS’ efforts to assist States and communities 

to identify synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths including potential clusters and 

respond with prevention and treatment strategies. 

Syringe Exchange Programs and Supervised Injection Facilities 

Syringe exchange programs are locations where individuals can go to get sterile 

needles and syringes and safely disposed of used items, as well as get education on 

safer practices and even treatment for other medical, social, or mental health needs. 

The CDC, the Institute of Medicine, among other scientific organizations, report 

that needle exchanges are ‘‘highly effective in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.’’ 

Question 8. As Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, would 

you advocate for the use of Federal funds to support syringe exchange programs? 

Answer 8. People who inject drugs are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV, viral hepatitis, and other blood-borne infections. The opioid epidemic 

has focused attention on the dangers of sharing needles, as evidenced by the HIV 

outbreak in rural Indiana in 2015. Under current law, in some jurisdictions, people 

who inject drugs can access sterile needles and syringes through syringe services 

programs (SSPs) and through pharmacies without a prescription. In addition, current law gives States and local communities, under limited circumstances, the opportunity to use Federal funds to support certain components of SSPs. I look forward to working with Congress on this issue and other avenues to address the 

health crisis opioids pose and to improve the health of intravenous drug users. 

Question 9. Research has also shown the benefits of Supervised Injection Facilities 

(SIFs), where people can use their own drugs, under medical supervision. Research 

indicates that SIFs help reduce HIV and hepatitis transmission risks, prevent overHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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1McCance-Katz, Elinore, ‘‘New Hope for the Mentally Ill,’’ National Review (November 22, 

2016) (online at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/442382/donald-trump-mental-illnessneeds-more-aggressive-treatment). 2 ‘‘Peer Support: Why it Works,’’ National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (April 2014) 

(online at: https://www.ncmhr.org/downloads/References-on-why-peer-support-works–4.16.2014 

.pdf). 3McCance-Katz, Elinore, ‘‘What is SAMHSA’s Role in Today’s Healthcare System?’’ SAMHSA 

(May 29, 2014) (online at: https://blog.samhsa.gov/2014/05/29/what-is-samhsas-role-in-todayshealthcare-system/#.WYHieoTytGo). 

dose deaths, and increase the number of people seeking out addiction treatment. 

Would you commit to advocate for studying safe injection facilities as a tool in the 

fight against the opioid epidemic? 

Answer 9. I am aware that the American Medical Association (AMA) approved a 

resolution calling for the development of pilot SIFs, and that there are sites proposed in Seattle, San Francisco, and New York, to name a few. There is much we 

don’t yet know about the effectiveness of SIFs in saving lives and/or in encouraging 

people who use intravenous drugs to seek treatment, and what little research data 

is available does not, at least at this time, appear promising in the role of these 

programs to assist people to treatment. 

Peer Support 

You have said before that ‘‘SAMHSA has supported programs that provide little 

help to those in greatest need,’’ giving the example of SAMHSA putting ‘‘a major 

emphasis on developing a ‘peer workforce,’ through which individuals with mental 

disorders offer support to those experiencing an acute episode of mental illness.’’ 1

However, literature reviews have shown the effectiveness of peer support programs 

for individuals with mental health and addiction disorders.2

Question 10. Why do you believe that peer support is not helpful in treating mental illness? 

Answer 10. I believe that peer professionals will, over the coming years, become 

a standard resource available to individuals struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders. I think they have a role in the continuum of care. However, 

as a practicing psychiatrist for 30 years who has run the Rhode Island State hospital system for the last 2 years, I can say with great certainty that those with serious and persistent mental illness—a population that receives little attention yet suffers greatly and, untreated, can be at substantial risk to themselves and sometimes 

others—need evidence-based psychiatric interventions to assist them in their recoveries. Peers are a part of the recovery process, but peers cannot impact psychosis, 

hallucinations, and/or delusions. I am committed to embracing the spectrum of recovery services including medical treatment for those in need along with the use of 

peers as appropriate. 

Question 11. Do you believe that peer support is helpful in any context? 

Answer 11. I believe that peer support is an important component of recovery. As 

a physician, I can provide medical care onsite which lasts for a very brief period. 

Peers can be far more available as part of a treatment team and as supporters in 

the community. They can help patients to obtain the medical, psychotherapy interventions, and other recovery resources recommended. They provide emotional support and, through their own recoveries, can provide hope. The value of such services 

cannot be underestimated. 

Question 12. You have been supportive of other community-based programs in 

treating behavioral health disorders at SAMHSA.3 Which community-based programs do you believe are useful? 

Answer 12. I support the integration of behavioral health and primary care and 

the integration of treatment for mental disorders and substance use disorders. I 

support programs that provide case management and wrap-around services including assistance with vocational/educational needs, housing, and assistance with legal 

issues as needed. I support opioid treatment programs that expand to provide primary care and mental health services. I support recovery housing and programs for 

pregnant and post-partum women with opioid use disorder. I support crisis intervention programs designed to avoid emergency department visits and hospitalizations. All of these programs could involve peer specialists. 

Question 13. Would you commit to further studying and considering the usefulness of peer support programs? 

Answer 13. There is accumulating data on the value of peer support programs 

and, yes, I would commit to further controlled research studies aimed at deterHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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mining the usefulness of peer support programs—for who and under what conditions. 

RESPONSE BY JEROME ADAMS, M.D., TO QUESTIONS OF SENATOR MURRAY, SENATOR

SANDERS, SENATOR CASEY, SENATOR FRANKEN, SENATOR BENNET, SENATOR

WHITEHOUSE AND SENATOR WARREN

SENATOR MURRAY

Question 1. Earlier this year, a woman in Nevada died from an infection that was 

resistant to all 26 antibiotics that are available in the United States. The Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have estimated that antibiotic resistant 

infections infect over two million and kill 23,000 Americans each year. A recent report found that if we don’t take action, drug-resistant infections will kill more people worldwide than diabetes and cancer combined by 2050. Do you agree that antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to human health, and if so, how will you 

work to reduce this threat as Surgeon General? 

What role does the Surgeon General’s office play in ensuring antibiotics are used 

effectively and appropriately? 

Answer 1. The issue of antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health 

and clinical care. HHS has been a leader across the government in implementing 

a range of interventions. I am prepared to work to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria with my colleagues across the Administration to continue to advance these efforts. In particular, I believe the Surgeon General is well-positioned to engage with 

the medical community to encourage antibiotic stewardship and appropriate antibiotic prescribing, and to help patients and the public understand how to appropriately use antibiotics. 

Question 2. In December, the Surgeon General issued a report that concluded use 

of e-cigarettes by youth and young adults is a public health concern. It found that 

use of e-cigarettes by youth is now more common than use of regular cigarettes and 

that e-cigarettes come in a wide array of fruit and candy flavors and are marketed 

in ways that appeal to youth. Yet, last week, the Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA) announced they would delay current deadlines for review of these products. 

Do you share the view that e-cigarette use by young people is a public health concern that requires action at the Federal, State, and local levels? Do you agree that 

FDA has an important role to play to reduce youth use of e-cigarettes? What can 

CDC and other Federal agencies do to address this public health concern? What role 

should the Surgeon General play in raising awareness of this problem and spurring 

the adoption of policies and programs that will reduce youth use of e-cigarettes and 

all tobacco products? 

Answer 2. Protecting and improving public health is at the core of the Department’s mission. While serving as the Indiana State Health Commissioner, I have 

overseen Indiana’s tobacco cessation efforts. I look forward to working with the 

FDA, CDC, and other Federal agencies to protect our children and significantly reduce tobacco-related disease and death. 

Question 3. Do you plan to continue the efforts of the National Prevention Council 

and implementation of the National Prevention Plan? 

Answer 3. As Surgeon General, my commitment is to prevention. I believe it is 

the best way to improve the health of Americans and decrease the burden on our 

health system. Once in the office, I will work with stakeholders and Department 

leaders to evaluate the National Prevention Council and National Prevention Strategy to ensure goal alignment with the Department to better serve the American people. 

Question 4. How will you support CDC’s Office for Smoking and Health and ensure they have the capacity to continue with and optimize their prevention and cessation efforts, particularly their extremely successful Tips from a Former Smoker 

campaign? 

Answer 4. Recognizing the important role of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, 

I will work with the CDC Director, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, to collaborate and communicate the available scientific information on tobacco use and related diseases to 

the public, consistent with my role as Surgeon General. 

Question 5a. For the first time in two decades, life expectancy in the United 

States has declined. Death rates among middle-aged Caucasians in the South are 

increasing, largely due to drug overdoses, liver disease, and suicide. Deaths due to 

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chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease have also stopped falling after 

years of improvement. These conditions are all fully preventable. 

How will your office work with the CDC and others within the Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS) to address these preventable conditions? 

Answer 5a. I believe it is critically important for all of the agencies within the 

Department to work together in a coordinated fashion to address preventable conditions. I look forward to serving as Surgeon General and working to bridge the efforts 

of the various agencies to improve the health of Americans, consistent with my role 

and responsibilities. 

Question 5b. How will this work be challenged by the current budget environment, 

considering the proposed deep cuts in the President’s budget to the CDC and the 

repeated threats to the Prevention and Public Health Fund? 

Answer 5b. It is important that the Office of the Surgeon General support efforts 

to prevent disease and encourage individuals to make informed choices about their 

health. I am committed to working hard in my role to advocate for prevention at 

HHS. 

Question 6. Many health conditions and significant racial and ethnic disparities 

are heavily influenced by various social and environmental factors that typically 

exist outside of the health care context. For example, sub-standard housing that promotes mold, moisture, and pest infestations can trigger asthma. As Surgeon General, how would you help make sure HHS is a leader in actively bridging the divide 

between clinical care and community conditions? 

Answer 6. Tackling disparities such as these is always a challenge, especially 

when taking into account social and environmental factors that exist outside of the 

health care context. As I said in my opening statement, we need to get out into our 

communities and learn about their obstacles and successes, share best practices, 

and help empower them to implement local solutions. I am committed to working 

with partners at the Federal, State, and local level to end disparities. 

Question 7. Surgeons General have often depended on the Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans (DGA) to promote healthy eating for families across the country. Do you 

support development of the evidence-based DGAs? As you know, the DGAs are currently under review and the review process might be subsequently changed. Do you 

support the current process in place to review the evidence that is the underpinning 

for the DGAs? How would you optimize communication of the DGAs to the American public? What do you feel the appropriate role for industry and other stakeholders is in the process of developing the DGAs? 

Answer 7. The Dietary Guidelines are science-based recommendations that give 

Americans advice on building healthy eating patterns that can help prevent chronic 

diseases and promote and advance their health and well-being. The focus of the Dietary Guidelines is on preventing diet-related health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rather than treating these and other diseases. 

The Dietary Guidelines should be grounded in the strongest available scientific 

evidence and represent our current understanding of the connections between food 

and health. The development process includes input from an independent group of 

nutrition and medical experts and practitioners to inform each edition of the Dietary 

Guidelines, public comment, and exhaustive systematic review of the literature and 

current science. 

Question 8. At your confirmation hearing you stated that ‘‘guns and gun owners 

aren’t inherently a public health problem, but the violence that results absolutely 

is.’’ What public health interventions do you think are needed to address gun violence and, as Surgeon General, how would you work to promote such interventions? 

Answer 8. When addressing the challenge of violence in our communities, we 

must look at the underlying issues—such as untreated mental illness—and address 

them. As I reiterated in my opening statement, I share the Secretary’s urgency of 

addressing untreated mental illness, especially serious mental illness. I will work 

to ensure that we are identifying indicators of violent behavior so as to promote appropriate interventions, consistent with my role as Surgeon General. 

Question 9. Infant mortality is often an indicator for the health of a society and 

the efficacy of its policies. According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate in the 

United States in 2014 was 6.1. This means that 6 out of 1,000 infants born will not 

live to see their first birthday. The rate is the higher than 25 other developed countries. This is an unsettling statistic. You have been very involved in efforts to reduce 

the number of infant deaths in Indiana, which had one of the highest infant mortality rates for individual States. How would you translate these efforts to the FedHELPN-003 with DISTILLER

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eral level? Maternal mortality rates in the United States, while improving overall, 

have also fallen behind those of other countries. If confirmed as Surgeon General, 

how would you work to improve the maternal mortality rate in the United States? 

Answer 9. As Surgeon General, I would draw upon my experience in Indiana to 

build relationships across HHS, the States, and local communities to identify strategies that are working to improve infant and maternal mortality. Many States, much 

like Indiana, are facing a multitude of health challenges that are reflected in these 

rates. I am committed to working with all levels of government and impacted communities to better address these two important health concerns. 

Question 10. The African-American infant mortality rate is twice the white infant 

mortality rate. In 2013, the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality included in the National Prevention Strategy a recommendation on this topic. What 

recommendations would you offer clinicians to address this health inequity in the 

African-American community? 

Answer 10. This issue is of great concern to me as a physician and a parent. I 

feel one important step to improving infant mortality in any community, but especially the African American community, is collaboration and engagement across the 

community. By leveraging interagency, public-private, and multi-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships, we can work together to identify targeted strategies to 

reduce infant mortality in the African American community. This is a multifaceted 

problem. Clinicians cannot fully address this problem without the help of other partners. To achieve any level of success, it will require clinicians working together and 

with other stakeholders across all disciplines to identify models and best practices 

appropriate for the communities we serve. 

Question 11. There unfortunately has been a history of reproductive coercion in 

this country, particularly among Black and Latina women. The Surgeon General’s 

office frequently makes recommendations on ways that Americans can improve their 

health outcomes. Do you have any recommendations to make sure that all women 

have the ability to choose the birth control—and provider—of their choice? 

Answer 11. As Surgeon General, I would look forward to ensuring that women 

and men can obtain the health care that they need at an affordable price. 

Question 12. When you committed to me that you would stand up for vaccines, 

you told me that you will stand up for science where the science is settled. You also 

said there are topics on which people think the science is settled but it is not. Can 

you please elaborate on what those topics are and what the outstanding questions 

are? 

Answer 12. As Surgeon General, science will always guide and be reflected in my 

efforts. I will also convene and work with partners to make sure that, where there 

remains scientific debate, we can talk to each other, and come up with a direction 

that is best for, and accepted by, the American people. The Department has a responsibility to ensure that the American people are receiving the most up-to-date, 

science-based information, and also to make sure we listen to and work with all citizens—not just the ones we happen to agree with. 

Question 13. For decades, the Surgeon General has been an outspoken voice on 

the health risks posed by smoking, particularly among children and teens. As noted 

above, the Surgeon General has recently spoken out about the risks posed by e-cigarettes. In Indiana, you have led several public campaigns to warn of the dangers 

of tobacco, stating ‘‘quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your 

health.’’ Yet, according to your Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e), 

prior to your nomination you were invested in some of the largest manufacturers 

of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes: Altria Group Inc., British American Tobacco PLC, Philip Morris International Inc., and Reynolds American Inc. with holdings totaling between $5,005 and $75,000. Please explain how you reconcile the past 

work from the Office of the Surgeon General—and your own work—about the public 

health risks posed by tobacco with your decision to hold stock in some of the world’s 

largest tobacco companies? 

Answer 13. The majority of my investments are held in managed accounts with 

the investment decisions made by the account managers. I hold several smaller investment accounts where I control the investments with the advice of my financial 

advisor. My advisor and account managers make decisions that they deem best for 

my portfolio, and which are unknown to me. Following my confirmation, all of my 

accounts will be moved to accounts under my full control. As you mention, my commitment to tobacco prevention and cessation is well-documented. 

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Question 14. You have spoken extensively about your experience with the opioid 

epidemic and the resultant HIV outbreak in Indiana. You testified before Congress 

that ‘‘[t]argeted marketing by the pharmaceutical industry encouraged providers to 

use opioids more aggressively to treat chronic, non-terminal pain’’ and you called on 

the pharmaceutical industry to be held accountable for its role in expanding access 

to opioids. Yet, according to your Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 

278e), prior to your nomination you were invested in companies that are some of 

the largest manufacturers of opioids in the country, including Allergan, Pfizer, and 

Novartis. In fact, the State of Ohio recently brought a lawsuit against Allergan, 

among others, for their role in the opioid epidemic. Please explain how you can reconcile your work speaking out about the dangers of the opioid epidemic, specifically 

your calls to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable, with your decision to 

hold stock in some of the Nation’s largest opioid manufacturers? 

Answer 14. The majority of my investments are held in managed accounts with 

the investment decisions made by the account managers. I hold several smaller investment accounts where I control the investments with the advice of my financial 

advisor. My advisor and account managers make decisions that they deem best for 

my portfolio, and which are unknown to me. Following my confirmation, all of my 

accounts will be moved to accounts under my full control. As you mention, my commitment to combating the opioid epidemic is well-documented. 

SENATOR SANDERS

Question 1. As you know, this Nation has been and remains plagued by health 

disparities. These disparities not only are well-documented as it pertains to health 

status and health outcomes, but also in the stark differences that exist between different populations in access to reliable, affordable health care. These disparities not 

only carry a significant human health toll, but a financial one, as well. As Surgeon 

General, please share in detail how do you plan on leveraging the influence of the 

office to help make significant strides in ongoing efforts to reduce and even eliminate some of our most pressing health disparities? Also, please share how you plan 

to work to reduce health disparities while President Trump is seeking to cut or 

eliminate the very programs that are vital to this effort. 

Answer 1. As Indiana Health Commissioner, one of my main areas of focus was 

on health disparities impacting health outcomes, such as infant mortality disparities 

by race and geography. As Surgeon General, I would ensure health disparities continues to be an area of focus through my communication and convening platforms. 

I would spotlight community and employer engagement on evidence-based programs 

and policies that are reducing health disparities across our Nation in order to increase their reach. 

Question 2. There are dire and often immediate public health challenges that can 

be direct results of the lack of access to screening, treatment and care for substance 

abuse, HIV and other STI testing, and needle exchange programs. These are issues, 

as you know, that hit rural communities extremely hard, and were highlighted 

when Scott County, in your own State of Indiana, experienced an HIV outbreak that 

has since been linked to opioid misuse and needle sharing. As you know, when this 

HIV outbreak occurred, then-Governor Pence refused to support needle exchange 

programs. Additionally, more than 60 percent of rural counties—including Scott 

County—did not have enough physicians qualified to prescribe buprenorphine—an 

FDA-approved medication to treat opioid use disorder. In detail, please share your 

perspective about the importance of the Federal Government’s support for programs 

like needle exchange and HIV screening, as well as the Federal Government’s role 

in assisting States and local communities to expand access to treatment for substance use disorders in rural, underserved areas, like Scott County? Additionally, 

in detail, please share your thoughts about the impact that defunding Planned Parenthood—which provides not only HIV and STI screening and testing, but also mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment to millions of vulnerable 

Americans—will have on efforts to prevent what happened in Scott County from 

happening in other rural communities across the country. 

Answer 2. Our Nation is in the midst of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. I 

share Secretary Price’s tremendous sense of urgency to combat this public health 

threat. As Secretary Price outlined in April 2017, HHS is implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose, including the 

provision of comprehensive services such as substance abuse treatment, testing for 

HIV and hepatitis C, and, where appropriate and effective, access to sterile syringes, 

consistent with Federal, State, and local laws, for people who inject opioids and 

other drugs. Building on my first-hand experiences addressing these complex issues 

in Indiana, I look forward to advancing these efforts and helping communities to 

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implement local solutions to their toughest problems. I also look forward to working 

with partners across HHS to leverage community health centers in this effort. This 

critical resource plays a vital role in health care delivery, especially in rural communities. 

SENATOR CASEY

Question 1. In your opening testimony at the August 1 hearing you stated the importance of prevention activities to address many of the public health problems in 

our country. As you know, the Affordable Care Act has a significant prevention fund 

that has been targeted for defunding by the Administration. How will you advocate 

for continuation of this program and funding within the Administration? 

Answer 1. A primary focus of the Surgeon General is prevention. I look forward 

to getting into my position and evaluating programs that are already in place. As 

you mentioned, I am eager to ensure that prevention is a key focus. 

Question 2. Over the last several months, I have sent multiple letters to HHS 

about the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act through executive action. HHS has failed to provide responses to 

many of my letters. If HHS has responded, the response letters have been wholly 

inadequate and have not been responsive to my requests. If you are confirmed, do 

you commit to respond in a timely manner to all congressional inquiries and requests for information from all Members of Congress, including requests from Members in the Minority? 

Answer 2. As Surgeon General, I look forward to working with you and Members 

of Congress on both sides of the aisle. I am eager to maintain an ongoing dialog 

with Congress as we work to improve the health of all Americans. 

SENATOR FRANKEN

Question 1. Can you explain why it is essential and in the best interest of the 

Nation’s public health to have an independent Surgeon General whose sole focus is 

promoting and advancing evidence-based public health practices rather than the political agenda of the administration in which the Surgeon General serves? 

Answer 1. It is important for a Surgeon General to be an independent and unbiased authority. 

Question 2. The Surgeon General’s office has produced landmark reports over the 

years that have been tremendously influential, including last year’s report on addiction. What would your priority issues be and how do you intend to utilize previous 

work of the office to advance your goals? 

Answer 2. As detailed in my submitted confirmation testimony, my priorities will 

be (1) addressing the opioid epidemic, (2) promoting wellness and prevention, and 

(3) engaging the business community to improve health. All of the previous reports 

of the Surgeons General will have relevance to and overlap with my priorities—particularly previous reports on addiction and smoking. My intent is to buildupon the 

work of previous holders of this position, to make America healthier. 

Question 3. As Surgeon General, you will help lead the Public Health Commission 

Corps. What plans do you have to utilize this group to fight the opioid epidemic and 

other public health crises? 

Answer 3. The USPHS Commissioned Corps is comprised of approximately 6,500 

licensed, public health and safety professionals (doctors, nurses, mental health providers, etc.) trained to respond individually or as part of a larger Federal disaster 

response. As Surgeon General, I look forward to working with the Commissioned 

Corps to advance the President’s and Secretary’s public health agenda and to protect the health of all Americans. 

Question 4. The President, while on his campaign echoed the concerns raised by 

anti-vaccine organizations. What will you do to educate the President, his administration, and the public about the importance of vaccines? 

Answer 4. There is no doubt that vaccines have played a significant role in improving public health in our country. I will work to ensure that patients have confidence in the immunizations recommended by the Department. 

SENATOR BENNET

Question 1a. I was recently in Otero County, CO where drug overdoses have been 

increasing. The entire community was engaging to address the rise in opioid abuse. 

This included coordinating hospitals, the courts, schools and foster care services. 

Even when we see a decrease in prescription overdoses, it is usually countered with 

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an increase in heroin overdoses. In the 1960s, more than 80 percent of heroin users 

started with heroin. In contrast, currently, about 80 percent of heroin users first 

started using prescription opioids. 

What are practical steps you plan to take to address the opioid crisis? 

Answer 1a. The opioid epidemic is one of the greatest health threats in recent history. To be successful in ending this crisis, we must focus on a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying drivers of the epidemic and brings together public 

health, public safety, community members, faith-based organizations, and many 

other elements of society. As Surgeon General, I would build on my experience in 

Indiana, to partner with the medical community to increase the use of evidencebased addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, and support individuals in recovery. A key aspect of this work is communication and convening, 

and the Surgeon General is well-positioned to bring stakeholders together on this 

pressing issue. I look forward to carrying out these efforts. 

Question 1b. How can we ensure that Americans are not becoming addicted in the 

first place while making it easier for people who currently have an addiction to obtain access to treatment? 

Answer 1b. Prevention is a key part of the strategy to combat the opioid epidemic. 

As Surgeon General, I would build on efforts already underway at HHS to support 

community-based prevention programs, and work with the medical community to 

improve opioid prescribing—too often a starting point of addiction for many Americans. At the same time, the data are clear that most people who have opioid addiction do not receive treatment for it. Thus, to turn the tide on the epidemic, I would 

advance efforts to expand access to treatment, including the full spectrum of medication-assisted treatment. 

Question 2. Many chronic diseases are preventable or better managed when 

caught early. When they are not, there is a large cost burden on our society. The 

American Diabetes Association estimates that the economic cost of diabetes was 

nearly $250 billion in 2012, a 41 percent increase since 2007. In Medicare, 15 percent of the sickest enrollees that often have multiple chronic conditions, account for 

50 percent of Medicare spending. 

What is your strategy around prevention so that certain chronic diseases are 

avoided or better managed in order for us to improve outcomes and save Medicare 

dollars? 

Answer 1. The Office of the Surgeon General’s primary function is to translate 

science to ensure the American public is aware of the most practical and evidencebased information to prevent disease. For example, the Surgeon General’s Call to 

Action on Walking and Walkability focuses on increasing physical activity. The Office also highlights active living and healthy eating as standards to improve chronic 

diseases. The Healthy Aging in Action report (HAIA) developed by the National Prevention Council addresses best practices for longevity and improving health costs for 

seniors. I plan to carefully review recommendations such as these and determine 

the best way during my tenure as Surgeon General to promote prevention of chronic 

disease. 

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE

Question 1a. You are well aware of the toll the opioid epidemic has taken on families across the country. Evidence shows that medication-assisted treatment can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms among people suffering from opioid addiction, and help them stop using opioids and get back to living productive lives. Despite this evidence, Secretary Price has claimed that medication-assisted treatment 

is ineffective, just substituting one opioid for another. 

Do you agree with Secretary Price’s statements about medication-assisted treatment? 

Answer 1a. There are many years of rigorous research documenting the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment. Like Dr. Price, I am committed to ensuring 

that people struggling with opioid addiction have access to evidence-based care, including the full spectrum of medication-assisted treatment. 

Question 1b. What do you see as the role of medication-assisted treatment in combating the opioid epidemic? 

Answer 1b. To turn the tide on the epidemic, we must have a comprehensive 

strategy. A critical component of that is to expand access to treatment, in particular 

all forms of medication-assisted treatment. I am prepared to use the role of Surgeon 

General to help educate providers, patients, and the public about opioid addiction, 

what treatments are available, and how people can access treatment. 

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Question 2. You have referred to antibiotic resistance as ‘‘one of the biggest health 

threats we face’’ and have encouraged the responsible prescribing of antibiotics. The 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that two million people develop antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States every year, resulting in at 

least 23,000 deaths. As Surgeon General, will you prioritize combating antibiotic resistance, preventing healthcare-acquired infections, and raising awareness about 

this public health threat? 

Answer 2. HHS has been a leader across the government in implementing a broad 

range of activities to curb antibiotic resistance. As Surgeon General, I will work 

with my colleagues across the Administration to continue to advance these efforts. 

In particular, I believe the Surgeon General is well-positioned to engage with the 

medical community to encourage antibiotic stewardship and appropriate antibiotic 

prescribing and to help patients and the public understand the appropriate role 

antibiotics play in our health and health care system. I look forward to helping raise 

the visibility of this important issue. 

SENATOR WARREN

Reproductive Health 

The U.S. Surgeon General, the Nation’s top doctor, is responsible for offering 

Americans ‘‘the best scientific information available on how to improve their health 

and reduce the risk of illness and injury.’’ Reproductive and sexual health are critical components of overall wellness. 

Currently, a key priority of the Surgeon General is the ‘‘National Prevention 

Strategy,’’ which aims to enhance ‘‘health and well-being’’ by ‘‘integrating recommendations and actions across multiple settings to improve health and save 

lives.’’ The National Prevention Strategy includes recommendations for reproductive 

and sexual health and prioritizes support for ‘‘effective sexual health education, especially for adolescents,’’ the ‘‘early detection of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other 

STIs,’’ and the ‘‘increased use of preconception and prenatal care.’’ 

Reproductive health centers—including Planned Parenthood clinics—are critical 

to these efforts. Each year, Planned Parenthood’s 600 health centers serve nearly 

five million people, providing 295,000 Pap tests, 320,000 breast exams, and 4.2 million STI tests. In addition, Planned Parenthood offers evidence-based, medically accurate sex education to 1.5 million teens annually. 

Republicans often claim that federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) could fill 

the gaps in reproductive health care access that would result from a defunding of 

Planned Parenthood. Recent analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, however, demonstrates that this claim is patently false. The analysis points out FQHC sites providing contraceptive care would need to dramatically increase their contraceptive 

client caseloads, taking on an additional two million patients nationwide, in order 

to fill the gap should the Republican Congress choose to cut Planned Parenthood 

health centers out of the family planning safety net. 

Question 1. As Surgeon General, would you continue to promote the National Prevention Strategy, including its recommendations on reproductive and sexual health? 

Answer 1. Reports and strategies often need to be updated to best reflect changing 

evidence. I plan to carefully review all of the recommendations of the NPS and determine the best way during my tenure as Surgeon General to promote reproductive 

and sexual health. 

Question 2. Do you agree that policies demonstrated to increase the number of unintended pregnancies and STIs among teenagers should not be supported by HHS? 

Answer 2. As Surgeon General, I commit to working to decrease unintended pregnancies and STIs among all citizens. 

Question 3. As Surgeon General, would you commit to promoting evidence-based 

programs that improve teenagers’ reproductive health? 

Answer 3. Yes. 

Question 4. Do you agree that Planned Parenthood health clinics are essential to 

Federal efforts to promote effective sexual health education, increase STI detection, 

and improve reproductive health care? 

Answer 4. Women’s health is very important to me. As Surgeon General, I would 

strive to ensure that both women and men have access to the quality health care 

they need. 

Question 5. Do you agree that FQHCs cannot fill the gaps left if Planned Parenthood health clinics no longer received Federal funding? 

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Answer 5. As Surgeon General, I will work to ensure all women have access to 

affordable, high quality health services, consistent with my role as Surgeon General. 

Zika Response 

The Surgeon General is also responsible for offering the public ‘‘facts on emerging 

public health threats’’ and ‘‘list[ing] steps individuals can take to protect themselves 

and their families.’’ The Zika virus is one such ‘‘emerging public health threat’’: infection during pregnancy can result in microcephaly, a severe brain defect, as well 

as miscarriage and stillbirth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ‘‘[o]ffering family planning services, including information and access 

to the full range of contraceptive methods, is a primary strategy to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies affected by Zika virus infection.’’ 

Question 6. As Surgeon General, would you commit to providing the American 

people with evidence-based, scientifically and medically accurate information about 

Zika prevention—including information on ‘‘the full range of contraceptive methods—regardless of any partisan efforts to restrict information on and access to contraceptive services? 

Answer 6. As Surgeon General, I will communicate the full range of evidencebased, scientifically and medically accurate information on all public health topics, 

including Zika prevention, to help patients make informed decisions about their 

health. 

Question 7. As Surgeon General, would you oppose efforts by the Trump administration to reduce access to contraception, including efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health clinics? 

Answer 7. As Surgeon General, my role is to communicate evidence-based health 

information to the public. I would work with my public health and clinical partners 

to raise awareness about evidence-based prevention, including efforts to reduce preventable causes of morbidity and mortality, including infant mortality and teenage 

pregnancy. 

Opioid Epidemic 

The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis. In Massachusetts alone, an estimated 2,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2016. Addressing addiction and 

substance use is one of the Surgeon General’s top priorities. In 2016, the Surgeon 

General worked to promote a national campaign that urged health care professionals and prescribers to talk with one another about best prescribing practices. In 

the same year, the Surgeon General presented a report, ‘‘Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health,’’ which included 

a series of recommendations on preventing and treating addiction. This report also 

provided a look into the country’s current ‘‘treatment gap,’’ which has helped inform 

policymakers as they work to find solutions and slow the rise in fatal overdose rates. 

At the core of the opioid crisis has been the over-prescribing of addictive prescription painkillers. CMS reported that generic Vicodin was prescribed to more Medicare beneficiaries than any other drug in 2013—more than blood pressure medication, more than cholesterol medication, more than acid reflux medication. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that over 70 percent of adults who 

misuse prescription opioids get the medication from friends or relative, so efforts to 

reduce the amount of unused medications in the home is a powerful new tool to 

tackle the prescription drug epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery 

Act, passed in July 2016, included a bipartisan provision that I worked on with Senator Capito that empowers patients to talk to their physicians and pharmacists 

about partially filling their prescription medications in order to reduce the amount 

of unused opioids in circulation. 

In addition to the impact that prescription drug use has had on the opioid epidemic, the illicit distribution and sale of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid that 

is more potent than heroin, has contributed to this public health crisis—particularly 

in New England States like Massachusetts. A November 2016 study by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found that of the opioid-related fatalities in 

the State in which toxicology screens were available, 74 percent of individuals tested 

positive for fentanyl. 

Question 8. What will you do to work with other agencies and the physician community to address the over prescribing and misuse of prescription medications, 

while still ensuring that patients who need pain medication can receive it? 

Answer 8. I firmly believe that most physicians want to do what is best for their 

patients and to relieve suffering without putting their patients and families in 

harm’s way. Ensuring that patients with pain receive high-quality, evidenced-based 

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pain care must be an essential component of the response to the opioid epidemic. 

As Surgeon General, I would engage with the medical community, government partners, and State and local stakeholders to ensure that policies and programs aimed 

at reducing opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose do not penalize patients with legitimate medical needs. 

Question 9. You have been supportive of Indiana’s recent partial fill legislation. 

In the role of Surgeon General, would you work with States, physicians, pharmacists, and patient groups to increase awareness about Federal partial fill policies? 

Answer 9. Yes. 

Question 10. Will you support the findings of the report, ‘‘Facing Addiction in 

America,’’ and will you continue to inform the Administration and Congress about 

the need to fight the opioid epidemic? 

Answer 10. It is clear to me that the Administration and Secretary Price have 

taken an early and aggressive approach to combating the opioid epidemic. I look forward to working with partners across the Administration and external stakeholders 

to build on the progress that has been made in recent years. The Surgeon General’s 

Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health can serve as a science-based resource to help 

advance evidence-based policies and programs to reduce the burden of opioid addiction. 

Question 11. What do you believe are the next steps in tackling this opioid crisis? 

Answer 11. At all levels of government and in communities across America, health 

care professionals, parents, people in recovery, first responders, and many others 

are taking action to reduce the harms associated with opioid abuse, addiction, and 

overdose. I look forward to leveraging the Office of the Surgeon General to build on 

these efforts. In particular, I believe the Surgeon General is well-positioned to engage with the medical community to encourage the appropriate use of opioids and 

to advance evidence-based pain care, and to help raise awareness of addiction and 

spur efforts to reduce stigma around addiction among patients, providers, and the 

public. 

Question 12. You have advocated for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as an 

important evidence-based addiction treatment. How would you work to ensure that 

other influential health officials understand the value of this treatment? 

Answer 12. There are many years of rigorous research documenting the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment. Yet, despite the evidence base, the vast majority of people with an opioid addiction do not receive treatment for it. Expanding 

access to medication-assisted treatment is a key part of the response to the opioid 

epidemic. I am prepared to use the role of Surgeon General to help educate providers, patients, and the public about opioid addiction, what treatments are available, and how people can access treatment. 

Question 13. What do you plan to do to build on HHS’s efforts to address a specific 

component of the opioid epidemic, the illicit sale and use of fentanyl? 

Answer 13. The emergence of illicitly made fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, largely 

coming from China, has accelerated the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United 

States. As Surgeon General, building on my experiences in combating the opioid crisis in Indiana, I will work collaboratively with experts across HHS and with our 

partners in law enforcement to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit fentanyl 

and fentanyl analogs in our communities, encourage the broader use of naloxone to 

reverse overdoses, and use the platform of the Surgeon General to reduce stigma 

around opioid addiction—a key barrier to getting people into treatment and stopping 

their drug use. In addition, I will work with the medical community to curb the inappropriate prescribing of opioid pain medications, which was the starting point for 

many Americans now addicted to heroin and illicitly made fentanyl. 

Tobacco 

Tobacco, the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, is traditionally one of the Surgeon General’s top priorities. The Surgeon General’s 2016 report, 

‘‘E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Adults,’’ concluded that the use of e-cigarettes 

among youth and young adults was a public health concern, and suggested a number of policies to impose stricter regulation of e-cigarettes. 

However, in July 2017, the FDA announced that it would further delay deadlines 

for e-cigarettes, cigars, and other previously unregulated tobacco products to come 

into compliance with the 2016 FDA deeming rule that imposed stricter oversight of 

these products. 

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Question 14. As Surgeon General, would you continue to promote the recommendations of the Surgeon General’s 2016 report on e-cigarette use? 

Answer 14. Reports and strategies often need to be updated to best reflect changing evidence. While the aforementioned report is only a year old, at the time of its 

release there was controversy in the public health community about the evidence 

on e-cigarettes. Since the Report’s release, a large volume of research that further 

expands our understanding of e-cigarettes has been published. I plan to carefully 

review all of the recommendations of the 2016 report and this new research to determine the best way during my tenure as Surgeon General both to promote harm 

reduction for current smokers and to prevent smoking initiation, especially among 

youth. 

Question 15. Do you agree that stricter FDA oversight of e-cigarettes, cigars, and 

other previously unregulated tobacco products could improve public health outcomes? 

Answer 15. Protecting and improving public health is at the core of the Department’s mission. While serving as the Indiana State Health Commissioner, I have 

overseen Indiana’s tobacco cessation efforts. I look forward to working with the 

FDA, CDC, and other Federal agencies to protect our children and significantly reduce tobacco-related disease and death. 

Combating Antibiotic Resistance 

The 2014 National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria brought 

together the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Defense 

to declare that, 

‘‘the misuse and over-use of antibiotics in health care and food production continue to hasten the development of bacterial drug resistance, leading to the loss 

of efficacy of existing antibiotics.’’ 

Through this initiative, we’ve made some significant progress establishing policies 

that better protect lifesaving antibiotics. 

There is strong and growing evidence that antibiotic use in food animals can lead 

to antibiotic resistance in humans, yet the use of medically important drugs in food 

animals continues to grow. According to the FDA, 

‘‘Domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobials approved for use in food producing animals increased by 26 percent from 2009 

through 2015, and increased by 2 percent from 2014 through 2015.’’ 

Question 16. Do you agree that curbing the misuse and over-use of antibiotics in 

health care and food production should be a public health priority? 

Answer 16. Yes. 

Question 17. As Surgeon General, what specific steps will your office take to prevent the development of bacterial drug resistance? 

Answer 17. HHS has been a leader across the government in implementing a 

broad range of activities to curb antibiotic resistance. As Surgeon General, I will 

work with my colleagues across the Administration to continue to advance these efforts. In particular, I believe the Surgeon General is well-positioned to engage with 

the medical community to encourage antibiotic stewardship and appropriate antibiotic prescribing and to help patients and the public understand the appropriate 

role antibiotics play in our health and health care system. I look forward to helping 

raise the visibility of this important issue. 

[Whereupon, at 4:45 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.] 

Æ 

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