Dianne Feinstein: “I support the nomination of Governor Michael O. Leavitt to be U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Governor…”

“I support the nomination of Governor Michael O. Leavitt to be U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Governor Leavitt has had a lengthy career in public service, having served most recently as the 10th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In 1992, Leavitt was elected the 14th Governor of Utah and was that State's longest-serving Governor. During his three terms as Utah's Governor, he was chosen by the Nation's Governors to represent States in working with Congress on welfare reform, Medicaid and children's health insurance. He chaired the National Governors Association, the Western Governors Association, the Republican Governors Association and Council of State Governments. Governor Leavitt established an innovative welfare reform waiver program focused on increasing family income using an approach that emphasized employment and child support, but also addressed initial problems with families in need such as domestic violence, education, training, language barriers, and substance abuse issues to promote sustainable employment. This year, the HHS Secretary will have the critical task of overseeing the implementation of the first ever drug benefit in Medicare as well as the implementation of several program reauthorizations such as Ryan White, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, all within an ever-constrained budgetary picture.”