Senate confirms surgeon general
October 29th, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS | Posted by Rebecca Neal
Senators unanimously confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin Thursday as the next U.S. surgeon general.
Benjamin is the founder of the Bayou Le Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., a fishing village, and has served as its chief executive officer since its founding in 1990.
Benjamin has rebuilt the clinic several times, including after Hurricane Georges in 1998 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Atlanta neurosurgeon and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta was rumored earlier this year to be Obama’s first choice for surgeon general, but Gupta pulled his name from consideration, citing his desire to spend more time on his current work.
Obama names his pick for surgeon general
July 13th, 2009 | Agencies HHS Transition | Posted by Rebecca Neal
Dr. Regina Benjamin, an Alabama physician, speaks after President Barack Obama announced her nomination for surgeon general Monday in the Rose Garden. AP photo
Dr. Regina Benjamin, a family practice doctor who works with the rural poor in Alabama, is President Barack Obama’s choice for surgeon general, Obama said Monday.
Obama praised Benjamin’s commitment to health care and to providing access to care for those who can’t afford insurance. She is the founder of the Bayou Le Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., a fishing village, and has served as its chief exective officer since is founding in 1990.
Benjamin has rebuilt the clinic several times, including after it sustain heavy damages by Hurricane Georges in 1998 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Benjamin, 52, received her bachelor’s degree in 1979 from Xavier University of Louisiana, attended Morehouse School of Medicine from 1980 to 1982, and earned her doctor of medicine degree in 1984 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Her medical schooling was paid for by the National Health Service Corps, a federal program where medical students pledge to work in underserved areas in exchange for paid tuition, earning one year of free tuition for ever year of service.
Atlanta neurosurgeon and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta was rumored earlier this year to be Obama’s first choice for surgeon general, but Gupta pulled his name from consideration, citing his desire to spend more time on his current work.
Benjamin’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Tags: Barack Obama, HHS, surgeon general, Transition
Congress to approve $7.7 billion for flu
June 11th, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS | Posted by Rebecca Neal
House and Senate conferees reached an agreement late Thursday on the $105.9 billion war supplemental bill, which includes $7.7 billion to respond to pandemic flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and the Health and Human Services Department will receive $1.5 billion in additional fiscal year 2009 appropriations, as well as $5.8 billion for a contingency fund for expanding detection efforts, increasing federal drug stockpiles and developing and administering vaccines. President Barack Obama had requested $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2009 funds and $2 billion in contingency funds.
In addition, the supplemental provides $350 million to help state and local governments prepare for and respond to a pandemic. It also includes $50 million for global efforts to track and contain the spread of pandemic flu. Obama did not request funding either of those efforts.
The bill now goes back to the chambers for consideration, with leaders stating they’re eager to pass the final bill quickly.
Obama names new CDC director
May 15th, 2009 | Agencies HHS | Posted by Rebecca Neal
Dr. Thomas Frieden, commissioner of the New York City Health Department, will be the new director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, President Barack Obama announced Friday.
He will replace acting CDC Director Dr. Rich Besser, who will return to his role leading the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.
Please visit Federal Times for updates on this story.
Tags: Barack Obama, CDC, HHS
Senate confirms Sebelius for HHS
April 28th, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS | Posted by Rebecca Neal
The Senate voted 65-31 Tuesday evening to confirm Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services, filling the last vacant Cabinet post in Barack Obama’s administration.
Sebelius will take over the agency as it responds to worldwide panic over swine flu, which has sickened more than 60 in the United States and possibly more than 200 in Mexico. None of HHS’ 18 agencies has political leadership in place, with career employees and temporary leaders steering the agencies.
Sebelius, the Democratic governor of Kansas, faced considerable opposition from Republicans who were displeased with her pro-choice views. They also criticized her failure to timely disclose accepting donations from George Tiller, a prominent Kansas doctor who performs late-term abortions.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was President Barack Obama’s first choice to lead HHS. He stepped down from consideration in February after revelations that he owed nearly $144,000 in back taxes for use of a car and driver.
More nominations head to Senate floor
April 28th, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS Homeland Security Transition | Posted by Rebecca Neal
The Senate could vote this week on more of President Barack Obama’s nominees.
The Senate Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee approved two nominations by voice vote Monday: W. Craig Fugate for Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator and John Morton for assistant secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Senate may vote this week on their nominations, which aren’t controversial. No vote has been scheduled.
Meanwhile, senators are debating the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for secretary of Health and Human Services Tuesday, with a vote expected later in the day. The vote on her nomination has been delayed almost three weeks, as some Republicans have taken issue with her pro-choice stance and her acceptance of campaign contributions from a Kansas doctor who performs late-term abortions.
She must receive at least 60 votes for her nomination to pass, part of a compromise reached by Senate Democrats and Republicans late last week. She’s expected to have the needed number of votes, but not by much.
Tags: Barack Obama, Congress, FEMA, HHS, ICE, Transition
WH defends swine flu response
April 27th, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS White House | Posted by Rebecca Neal
Not having a secretary of Health and Human Services isn’t hurting the federal response to the swine flu outbreak, said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs Monday.
“Our response is in no way hindered or hampered by not having a permanent secretary at HHS right now,” Gibbs said after a reporter asked how the agency is faring.
Gibbs said he hopes the Senate will act quickly to confirm Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the nominee for HHS secretary. The Senate has scheduled debate on her nomination for Tuesday with a vote possibly later in the day.
Gibbs said interagency coordination for flu outbreaks and other public health issues is entrusted to the Homeland Security Department, headed by Janet Napolitano.
Gibbs credits the career staff at HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control, for helping with the response to swine flu, which has sickened more than 40 in the United States and more than 26 in Mexico.
“There are professional staff over there as we speak helping to coordinate this. I’m sure many of you all have called public affairs over there and gotten your questions answered … we feel confident with the team that is there now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress has already scheduled oversight hearings on swine flu and the federal response. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled a 10 a.m. Wednesday hearing, while the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health has a 10 a.m. Thursday hearing.
Tags: Congress, HHS, swine flu, White House
Obama's Cabinet nearly complete
April 21st, 2009 | Agencies Congress HHS Transition | Posted by Rebecca Neal
The Senate Finance Committee voted 15-8 in favor of Kathleen Sebelius for Health and Human Services secretary, clearing the way to complete President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.
Sebelius’ nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote, the date of which hasn’t yet been announced. Sebelius had a confirmation hearing before the Finance Committee two weeks ago, but Republicans wary with her stances on abortion and Obama’s health care reforms delayed a vote on her nomination until after Congress returned from a two-week recess.
Republican senators Pat Roberts, from Sebelius’ home state of Kansas, and Maine’s Olympia Snowe voted in favor of Sebelius.
Sebelius, currently governor of Kansas, was Obama’s second choice to lead HHS. His first choice, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, stepped down in February after he acknowledged owing more than $140,000 in back taxes for use of a car and driver.
Tags: Barack Obama, Congress, HHS, Kathleen Sebelius
No Sanjay Gupta in Obama administration
March 5th, 2009 | Agencies HHS Transition | Posted by Rebecca Neal
Television personality and neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta has pulled his name from consideration for surgeon general, according to a statement by CNN.
Gupta appears frequently on CNN as a commentator on medical and health issues. CNN U.S. President Jon Klein said Gupta made his decision to spend more time on his medical career and CNN career, according to a statement on CNN’s Web site.
Though a distinguished Atlanta neurosurgeon and professor, Gupta is best known to most Americans as a prolific television commentator. However, he served as an adviser to the Clinton White House, helping craft health care speeches and policy for Hillary Clinton. He was first rumored for the surgeon general post in January, with CNN all but confirming he’d been selected.
Tags: HHS, Sanjay Gupta, Transition
Obama to name Sebelius as HHS leader
March 2nd, 2009 | Agencies HHS | Posted by Rebecca Neal
President Barach Obama will formally annouce Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services later this afternoon.
This marks Obama’s second attempt to appoint a leader for HHS. His previous nominee, former Sen. Tom Daschle, pulled his name from consideration in February after revelations that he’d failed to pay more than $130,000 in back taxes.
Daschle was also named as the leader of health care policy for the White House, a role that Sebelius likely won’t hold. The “health care czar” is expected to help lead the White House’s revamping of health care policy this year.
Tags: Barack Obama, HHS, Kathleen Sebelius