Was it your decision to not have her . No. Etary azar sda ann was there. Mr. Doggett not the disease expert who was the truth expert, not the out on tuesday, especially drawing the president s attention, in saying will see communities spread in the United States. Its not a question of if this will happen. Is a question of when and how many people in this country will illnesses. Do you agree with her statement . Secretary azar first, i know doctor extremely well, over decades. I have the highest respect for we believe no. Mr. Doggett do you agree with the fact . Secretary azar communities spread mr. Doggett do you agree with her or not . Context azar theres need. Community spread could be in a town, a locality, or could be nationwide like china. Have but day could before in Northern California let me ask you ecretary azar could be a community case. We dont know. Mr. Doggett in saying disruptions to everyday life may severe, but people might want to start thinking about this now. L with her on ith that . Secretary azar that was a statement of a range of possibilities. Yes. Were dealing with there are elements. Mr. Doggett the question is hether or not the administration is moving based on this serious concern or just face on this y that will go away when the spring flowers come out. Secretary azar thats a misrepresentation. Some of the specific things the administration is and is not doing in that regard, beginning question of facemasks. m sure you saw the story that the n95 mask thats important to those who are health care that many hospitals only had a week supply. Of what is the administration assure that theres an adequate supply of those masks . Secretary azar were asking you masks. Us buying mr. Doggett i see. So we dont have them now. Of large chain pharmacies also say that theyve ad theyve run out of masks for the public in general. On the question of lab tests. Know, last friday, the association of Public Health laboratories said that only had the capacity to test people for the virus and in the ase of what might be First Community spread in california, its taken four days that person whether had coronavirus. ve had this experience in san antonio where for anyone to determine whether those people the ocean liner in apan who are now at Lackland Air Force base, we have to send the test off to atlanta to get an answer on that. Testing people on the base, transporting them town. Congressman castro and i wrote you about this back in on 13. Uary despite numerous calls, touests, its been deifficult get any answers on that, though my staff advises finally in the of this hearing some message came through from you about that. Our localities, even considering to put people in recreational vehicles to keep they have the f coronavirus in full. City of san antonio has not eceived any reimbursements to date. Its unclear whether the administration has in place a lan to send extra reimbursements to localities problem. H the this is not only serious, it can be deadly. In the approach. Mr. Neal i thank the gentleman. Let me recognize the gentlelady walorski, to mrs. Inquire. With mrs. Walorski thanks for seeing a good hoosier face in this committee. Willette me correct the record good friend, mr. Pascrell. I have not seen or heard heard any i have not evidence that any senior official is lying about coronavirus. Say that, you know, i think we need to be very factual when we talk about this. Secretaryu have been, azar. I think its important for the American People to know this is priority one at the administration. I have not seen any evidence theres anybody lying about whats happening with just want to ut i roceed by seeing 10 years ago democrats rammed obamacare through the Congress Based on the slogan if you like your plan it. Can keep if you like your doctor youll be able to keep your doctor. That slogan, of course, turned out to be a lie. Fact, it was rated as olitifacts lie of the year in 2013. Fast forward to today, and a majority of House Democrats 1384, the d h. R. Medicare for all act, which outlaw all lly private insurance plans, all the coverage and force every a rican into onesizefitsall government plan. From just 10 years we went if you like your plan you can keep it to if you like your bad, its gone. What a difference a decade makes. Contrary to what my colleagues the other side of the aisle might say, americans do like insurance. Te a recent gallup poll found 71 rate their private coverage as excellent or good. The American People and the hoosiers that i represent want that Health Insurance that they like. Want that Health Insurance taken away and replaced with a massive new especially rogram, one that would require massive ew taxes on workers and families. Secretary azar, can you talk about the Financial Impact for all and what kind of impact it has, potentially, on seniors and middleclass serve in that i indianas Second District . Secretary azar it would be absolutely devastating. We have 180 million americans get their insurance through their employer or importantly union. Their insurance would be taken away. Collective bargaining rights that they have given up in for insurance would be taken away without compensation in wages. Seniors in on medicare, a third of them depend on private insurance, medicare evermore popular private option with added often dental, vision benefits and benefits for them, taken away as part of this. It would be devastating for seniors. Mrs. Walorski the rising rate of Maternal Mortality across the country is something i have been and mely concerned about im glad to see the Trump Administration is actually tackling this headon. Your budget describes the improving Maternal Health in america initiative, aimed at mproving Maternal Health outcomes through evidencebased programs. Ow do you see the maternal, infant, and early Child Home Visiting Program fitting into the departments Maternal Health initiative . So that Program Gives pregnant women and families, particularly those risk, necessary resources and skills to raise children who are physically, emotionally healthy and ready to learn. So its a very important part of Maternal Health initiative. Mrs. Walorski i appreciate your efforts. Let me bring attention quickly administrations proposal to strengthen tanf andses on work and families direct alignment with the republicans job for success success act. Are you worried about a lack of accountability in tanf . Secretary azar i absolutely am about the lack of accountability in tanf. We have dozens of states who are work ing their participation rates without contribution to it. Its been perverted from the tanf which ning of is to get people to work, get them trained. We got to create real again. Ability mrs. Walorski i appreciate it, mr. Chairman. I yield back. Recognize thet me gentleman from illinois, mr. Davis, to inquire. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Chairman. For ecretary, thank you being here today, and thank you testimony. Granted y of 2019, you South Carolina a waiver of federal antidiscrimination to allow miracle jews, nistries to reject catholics, persons of other nonreligious persons, and lgbtq individuals from being caretakers of foster youth. Statement of administration of is to n and families promote the wellbeing of hildren and families and the director of the Childrens Bureau is to act in the best nterest of the children in its care. The waiver prioritizes the an gious beliefs of organization over the best interests of abused and children. Contrary to the stated mission of the administration for families. Nd as secretary, your position is it is acceptable for miracle heal to use health and Services Provided funds to persons ws, catholics, f other faiths, nonreligious lib any lgbtq from being mentors of our caretakers correct . Youth, secretary azar so, first, to larify, the coalition for Jewish Values as well as the Roman Catholic diocese of charleston is supportive of the taken. H we have we have to support the prompt placement of children in loving homes according to the best child and we he need as many providers, aithbased and nonfaithbased as possible to participate. We should not be in the business of kicking out faithbased provide roviders who are the backbone of our foster care placement. Mr. Davis so the question is correct . Isretary azar your question not an appropriate question. You stated it as if we are as are encouraging that. We are encouraging more providers, not fewer providers, the priority is kids getting placed, not who the providers are. Davis let me ask you, as chair of the subcommittee for urisdiction over programs critical to helping families and children in need, this budget is deeply disturbing and destructive to the health of the our vulnerable members of nation. At a time when the republicans windfalls to the wealthiest corporations and individuals, be slashes 200 billion childrensid and the health program. Cuts childcare assistance for families. Thes nearly 2 billion from temporary assistance for needy amilies program, or tanf, eliminates the social Service Block grant, undermines adult services, meals on wheels, Substance Abuse rural s, programs in areas, and mentoring. That these sure us cuts are not going to negatively or take away Services Members most vulnerable of our society . Secretary azar so to achieve ur budget targets and the Overall Administration caps agreed with congress, we had to make some very difficult choices to eliminate programs that are less effective, invest in priority mostly those port hat provide direct services to individuals. Your microphone on, dan . R. Davis so the answer is were cutting programs that are vital to the wellbeing of these vulnerable populations, because e had to make some tough, hard choices . Secretary azar were removing programs that are ineffective, results andt proven also focusing on those that most deliver direct services instead of those that provide support. Cture mr. Davis thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back. After we recognize mr. Lahood, well recognize ratio members on the democratic side. Mr. Lahood is recognized. Secretary, mr. Welcome. Our country and Health Care System is well served by your leadership. You testified yesterday for almost seven hours. You did the press conference and youre here today for three, four hours. Thank you. Want to talk about Rural Health Care. Before i do that i listened to mr. Doggetts comments. A different watched press conference than i watched last night because i objectively watched that entire press i think it nd couldnt have been more reassuring to the country. He team of physicians, researchers, medical personnel that were put in place by this administration and under your gave confidence to the country. I know he mentioned, talked a ittle bit about Community Spread. I wonder if you can just comment on that for a second. Secretary azar thank you. That exchange could unnecessarily worry the american public. , when the c. D. C. Says ween the president will quite likely see cases and Community Spread, that could be in one town, a locality. A neighborhood. It could also be nationwide. We say could, could, could. For all o prepare eventualities and we have to public about eventu eventualities. We, responsible stewards, prepare for them. We have this 15th case in could be the first potential Community Spread in the United States. We have to do the epidemiology it. Nd we have been consistent from day one about this messaging across government. F the mr. Lahood thank you for clarifying that. Enjoyed hearing your comments at the beginning on your Rural Health Care task force and utting the governor in charge of that. Appreciate that. I am concerned about Rural Health Care. I have a district, 19 counties, missouri, and nd very interested in this subject. I know as part of your fourpart strategy to transform Rural Health Care, increasing rural is a to health care priority. In illinois over the last five years, frequent mental distress by 14 and suicide now is the third leading cause 1535 h for people ages in illinois. Health care providers in my district are focused on the need for increased Behavioral Health and Mental Illness services to address these troubling statistics. While there are many examples of Innovative Health approaches in my district, i just want to one. Out Unity Point Health in peoria, illinois, is working on broaden accesslp to Behavioral Health providers through community organization, partnerships. Started a ly Nonprofit Organization called unity place, that will work to etter understand the unique Mental Health needs of Rural Communities in my district and how to transform our behavioral to ensure better delivery for these necessary systems and services. I wonder if you could discuss youve the successes seen from some of the programs and how the Department Plans to to programs like the Behavioral Health workforce and work, education, and Training Program zero suicides . Secretary azar we need better behavioral and Mental Health as well asal america all of america. We need to have a Sustainable Business model. Make sure o work to theyre economically viable. We need to look at suicide, health promotion. Third, we have to use telehealth. Elehealth can be an important part of Behavioral Health delivery in Rural America using innovation. Nd we have to get the next generation of providers, whether or primary tioners care or p. A. s and let people of tice with the maximum their will, especially in Rural America. R. Lahood we look forward to working with you on that. Thank you, mr. Secretary. Thank you, mr. Secretary, for being with you. The budgets that have come out f this administration in each year have been truly upsetting, and the budget this year is no different. Before and im going to say it again, that i think are outsidents budgets of touch with the needs and concerns of everyday americans. Once again, the administration putting the wellbeing of the ultrawealthy and corporations that of hardworking american families. And the people that i represent every day would suffer greatly under the devastating cuts that are in his proposal. Mr. Secretary, could you clarify if the administration thinks hat children and adults should go hungry and a simple a yes or do . Nswer will secretary azar so the administration is fully funded congress e what the did previously, the head start program. Ms. Sanchez the question is hether or not he thinks children and adults should go hungry because this dministrations budget is cutting 181 billion from snap over the next 10 years. Also a 500 million cut supplementalis up the nutrition, w. I. C. Were latino. The administration, through these devastating cuts, are millions ofrder for americans to receive help with something as simple as putting food on the table. I might remind you that one isevery five snap recipients a military family at that. Im not sure what your values in the district that i represent, we dont believe in letting kids go in needr those that are go hungry. A country is great and as rich as the United States of america not see Food Insecurity among its population and lashing the budgets of vital programs that provide basic necessarities to human beings in to human cessities beings in this country, those programs should not be on the chopping block. Be ess i shouldnt surprised, though, because this s the administration that puts children in cages so i could see food is not a priority for them. Here i come from, peoples actions are worth a lot more than what they say, than what their lip service is. In his state of the union address, said, and im also g him directly, ive made an ironclad pledge to american families, we will patients with preexisting conditions, and we will always protect your medicare. Why is this administration arguing in favor of a lawsuit that would do the exact opposite. And thats take away protections for people with preexisting conditions. My district has over 300,000 nonelderly people with a preexisting condition. Why is he trying to mess with their health care . These sabotage attempts to our Health Care System and our immigration system are hurting and scaring millions from getting much needed medical care. As much as you want to stand up here and defend the president , this administration has made it more than clear on where they stand with the american public. This budget is not fair for hardworking families in my district or for families across this n