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MINUTES OF THE
SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONFIRMATION COMMITTEE
Thursday,
January 28, 2021
•
4:00 p.m.
•
110 Senate Building
Members Present:
Sen. Michael S. Kennedy, Chair
Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Keith Grover
Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe
| Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Sen. Todd D. Weiler
Staff Present:
Mark D. Andrews, Policy Analyst
Amy Hawkes, Administrative Assistant
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Kennedy called the meeting to order at 3:59 p.m. |
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| MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2020, meeting.The motion
passed
with a vote of
4-0-3.
|
|
| Yeas -
4 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
3 | |
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. Kennedy
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. E. Vickers
| | Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. T. Weiler
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| 2.Consideration of the Appointment of Richard Saunders as the Executive Director of the Department of Health |
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| Rich Saunders gave an opening statement on his experience and qualifications for the position of Executive Director of the Department of Health, and answered committee questions. |
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| Gopi Krishna, resident, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Robyn Openshaw, business owner in Park City, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Lane Baker, occupational therapist, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Nathan Brown, business owner in Salt Lake County, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Kim Irwin-Pack, health care provider, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Chad Palmer, firefighter medic, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Austin Avett, resident, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Larry, resident, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson spoke in favor of the appointment. |
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| Lane Baker, occupational therapist, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Amber Clarke, resident, spoke in opposition to the appointment. |
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| Governor Spencer Cox spoke in favor of the appointment. |
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| MOTION:Sen. Anderegg moved to favorably recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Richard Saunders as the Executive Director of the Department of Health.The motion
passed
with a vote of
6-0-1.
|
|
| Yeas -
6 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
1 | |
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. M. Kennedy
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. E. Vickers
| | Sen. T. Weiler
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| 3.Consideration of the Appointment of Tracy Gruber as the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services |
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| Tracy Gruber gave an opening statement on her qualifications for the position of Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, and answered committee questions. |
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| Chad Palmer, firefighter medic, spoke to the potential merger of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health. |
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| Rebecca Dutson, President and CEO, The Children's Center, spoke in favor of the appointment. |
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| Elizabeth Garbe, Senior Director of Government Relations, United Way of Salt Lake, spoke in favor of the appointment. |
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| MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to favorably recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Tracy Gruber as the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services.The motion
passed
with a vote of
6-0-1.
|
|
| Yeas -
6 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
1 | |
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. Kennedy
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. T. Weiler
| | Sen. K. Grover
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| MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to adjourn.The motion
passed
with a vote of
6-0-1.
|
|
| Yeas -
6 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
1 | |
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. Kennedy
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. T. Weiler
| | Sen. K. Grover
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| Chair Kennedy adjourned the meeting at 5:24 p.m. |
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