June 22,2010

Senate Confirmation of Sherry Glied as HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and Jim Esquea as HHS Assistant Secretary for Legislation


MEMORANDUM 

To:         Reporters and Editors
From:    Scott Mulhauser and Erin Shields for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Re:         Senate Confirmation of Sherry Glied as HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and Jim Esquea as HHS Assistant Secretary for Legislation

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) issued the following statement today after the Senate confirmed by unanimous consent Sherry Glied to be Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and Jim Esquea to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation, both at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  From Chairman Baucus:

“Dr. Glied’s expertise will help provide the Department of Health and Human Services with important analysis and a strong foundation of evidence to inform sound policy decisions.  Mr. Esquea’s wealth of experience in health care policy and legislation will help him create a strong link between Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services to help ensure our government works effectively for the American people.  Both of these individuals will be invaluable assets to HHS as the department works to implement the new health reform law and create the affordable health care system our country needs to thrive in the global economy.”  

As Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Glied will be the principal advisor to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on policy development on a range of issues including health, disability, human services and science.  She will also be responsible for researching the cost and benefits of related policies and programs being considered by HHS and Congress.

As Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Esquea will play an important role in developing the Department’s legislative agenda and in helping the Department enact the new health care reform law.  He will be responsible for working to ensure coordination between leaders in Congress and the Department of HHS. 

The Finance Committee has held hearings to review the nominees and favorably reported both nominations to the Senate. 

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