Alexander: Confirming Nominees Will Help Ensure HHS Can Deliver on Mission of Protecting and Improving Americans' Health

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 1, 2017 – At today’s confirmation hearing in the Senate health committee, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said, “confirming today’s Department of Health and Human Services nominees will help ensure the department can deliver on its mission of protecting and improving the health of all Americans.”

Today’s hearing is to consider the nominations of Lance Allen Robertson to serve as Assistant Secretary for Aging, Dr. Brett Giroir to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Robert Kadlec to serve as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Elinore F. McCance-Katz to serve as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and Dr. Jerome Adams to serve as Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.

“These nominees come to us with impressive qualifications and will oversee nearly every aspect of our public health system,” said Alexander. “They will manage important programs like Meals on Wheels, help respond to the opioid abuse crisis, and ensure we are prepared for the next public health threat, whether natural such as Ebola or Zika, or a bioterror attack. Confirming these five well qualified nominees will fill all the assistant secretary positions at the Department of Health and Human Services under our committee’s jurisdiction.”

The Senate health committee will meet to vote on Mr. Robertson, Dr. Giroir, Dr. Kadlec, Dr. McCance-Katz, and Dr. Adams on Wednesday, August 2.

Alexander’s full prepared remarks are here.

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