crew: hhs: regarding rogers-related non-profits: 4/14/11 – hhs responsive documents

8/7/2019 CREW: HHS: Regarding Rogers-Related Non-Profits: 4/14/11 HHS Responsive Documents

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RECEIVED Feb07,201110:11:49WS#20OSNUM: 020720111010OFFICEOF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER

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Februttry 3.2011n,oHOllombloKalhleen SebolJusSeCRlttuyU.S. Dopat1mont ofHealth andHuman Services200 Independenco Avenuo,S.W.W88Idn,gtoJl. D.C, 20201Door SeCRltarySobeJlus.It lias eOll10 toourattontlon lhat PJaluled ParenthDod clinics In Iowa 8fO ush18telemedloJno orlelohealtl. vldeoeonforonoil18melhods todispense mlfep1'1slOIlO, tllO abortion dnlS commonlyknown asRU.486, topallcnfa wlthotlt Jlftvh)ga doetor Pl'CBent. We 81'0 concerned that tblspraotlce oftltelen\cd abol'llons" mayhave received taxpayer t\mdJng 8ud we O l cOllcemed tllotshnllt", programs may receive taxPlt)'01' f u n ~ l n 8 l n tho ftltUfe, despite Cedelld laws tbat prohibittaxpayer ftllldlliB forabortIon, Jffederal d o l J a r ~ 111'0 used fortelomed a b o r l l o l l ~ 11 would makoAlDmOftl1 t8xpftyora c O l ~ p J l c l t In\Ioderwrlling the deslructlon ofltmoccmt unb01'n obJldreUl\lldsupporting organizations tllal endllngerwonton's JIves and health by Intentionally olrcumventlngFDA guidelines for dispensing RU-486.Tho Food andDl"8Administration (FDA) lequlres that RU486 "bopl'Ovlded byorunder thesuporvlslonofapbyslofRn whomeets tho followJng qualifications: abIlIty toassess thedllrationofJJ1'08IlftIIOYbUlly 10 dlagllose ecloplo pregnonoies; obmt)' toPl'OVktO surgical Intervention Inoosus of JnCQrnpJote abortion 01' sovere bleeding.,. II We beliovedispensing RU486 vialolomediolne violates FDAprotocols and puIs womon'a sllfety and beaUh atrisk.According to tbo A8sooiated Press. tho 1l11\111lfacull'erofRU486,Danco Labol'lltorles, says "it[RU-486J cftectlvo abollt 95Jlcrcent oCtho time, with surgical pmcedtn'CSneeded inmost oftllO otbor 08808 to Gnd the proglll'lllOy orstop heavy bleedblg.... Planned Paronthood, qtlotfng theAmorlclIl1Coflego ofObatetrlo1all8 and Oynccologlalsaoknowledges,"about 92percent ofWOJJlen wJ11 conlplete their IRtJ.486I1tdllced]abortlou wlUtont theneed Col' awcumnIlsplmtlofl.,,1 meaning IlOar1yono 111 tonwolltonwho lako RU486 w1U R!'l,dl'O sUI'SlcalIntervention by a dootor to c:oI\lplete ' l "00)1101\, Adoctor dispensing RU486 over theilltcmc(ft'Oll1 a location bundredsorovelltllollS8llds ormiles away laclearly unablo to provide aurglcnlIntorvontlon I"cases ofsovoro bleeding.RU-486is adllllgerol18 dm8tbat 1188 beenassoolated williatleast 11 deaths and thousands ofCa8CS ofoxcosslvo bleeding andInfeotlon. BvRdlug FDA guldeUoos bydispensing RU-486

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Ihnmgh telolnedichlohastlto potenlial toIn01'ease compllcatloll8 and fatalltlos associated with itsuse, We cannot allow taxpayer dolJal'lJ tobe lISed to llUppolt telell1cd abol1lolls.Most recently, InFIscal Year 201O. COIIS1'eSS provided thoDCpaJ.1fllCnlofHealtlumdHUlllanServlcest Health ReSOU1'CCS andScuvlces Administration (HRSA) with SII.61l11l11on forItskllchcalth l1rogrem. While telemedlchl0 nlay bea positivemeansOfpl'Ovldlng oo11alnhealthselvicos. aOO11101\ lanothealthcare, and dispensing ltU486withollta doctol' present is both risk)' .to thumother and deadly toUl0 \111bo1'n child, U.S. taxpayers should notbeforced tounderwriteaborllons, norshould Americans' tax dollars be\lBcd toclrculnvent FDA guidelines regardingRU486.Wumepartloularly conoerned tl1at affiliates orthoPlatUled Pal'entbood Pedoratlon ofAmodoo(PPFA). the lal'g08t abortlo1l1'l'Ovldor IntheUnited Slates.may bereceiving federal 1lll1d'ng audt1811lS fedemlly fimded cq\1lpluent tofaollltate tclcl1ted abortion, - meaning federal taxpa)'orsarct\mdlng abOl11oJl8, It has come toOlll' attention tbal: 'o Plallned Parenthood ofUtab Islisted nsa grant reclplenlll1the HRSA 20072008Office for tile Advancement ofToloheillthOl'tmteoDh'ectory; ,

o Pleillled Parenthood of the H e a r l ~ a l l d InIowa Isknown toprovlde telell1edlcllloRU486 abortions;o Planned Parenthood olinlcs lit10locations InWisconsin received a fedol'alglll11ttoJ>IIY tor teJemedlcJne video phenes whloh cost $15,000 eacb3;o PPFAVicc President 01'. Van08sa CtdlhlS said "Thea'o are lUany [Pl)FA) affiliatestbllt aro carcfillly considering [Celemcd aborlloll}4;11 and ' ,o A J\1I102009 l"podbyTIdes Illd the California Endowmont wroteof thellnprecedented oppol1mllty duo to now ftlllding forhealtltlnformntion, teoimolo8Y atthefederal lovel, listing nineCllllfomla Planned ParenthoodsascoJllulunltyclinics fOl' whioh telelned grants llllght beavallable."s .

lit lightof those concenlS, we rospect(l1l1y request a l'08POIlSC tothefollowing q\tcsllollS nolaterthlUl M01'cl\ 2,201 J:1. In total. how l11uol1 federal filllding hilS been ftl)pl'Opriated for telcmedlclne lind wI.alportion oftlaosuAUlds have been used to lllll'OllOSO tclcmedicino equll>ffient?2. Havo auyaddltlollal funds other thall those d e s ~ r l b e d htquestion (I) beennsed to ftll1dtelemedloJllo? (B.g. have flmds that WCl'O notspecifically designated for toiemedtcillobeen \lsed tosnpport lolol11edloJne.)3. Hfts tho Planned Parenthood FederationofAmerica (PPPA), Itsaffiliates, 01'clinicsl'Ocolved any toicmedlclllo f\lndillg? Irao, pleaso provldo a listofPPFA affiliates andcUnlos that received f\mds for telollledicino Rnd indicate tho amo'tlll otfunding provIdedtoeaeb, (Include both l'rlntllry grantees ftltd subgt'tlotees.) .4. Have any odiCi' fftclllilos tllat pCl'form abortions received telemediolno ftmdlng? Ifso,1)101186pl'ovldo 8 lIat ofthefacUlties llnd Indicate tho amO\ll1t of ftmdiug provided toeaell.(Include bothl)1'Jmary grantees and SUb8l'ltlltees.) , .

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5. Hoe tboDopnt1menfofHoallbmid H"mllll So,vlC(ls (okonllny mcaslll'08 toCltlSUt'O dtlltfcdol'ft! ntlldJIl8 Co)' lolomo"lolno 8ml equlpltloll( Isnot\lsed tofhollllntolololUodabortions? Ifao.l,IOlIIOpl'OvJdo 8 COlty otony momos 0\' 8111dlltlco Issued (0 lIotbSlIllld88t111l8t 1 ~ 1 l 8 ) ' o r ftmdlt\8 for toIcnuxl nbol110n.Wo npprculnlo y ~ u r nltonlloll toIblB Illalfer nnd look tbl'word to YO\lf ro:qloJlllOo

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WASHINGTON OFFICEo 2406AAYBURN IlOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGWllSlI.NGTON.1lC 20515-17001202)22&-


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DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH &. HUMAN SERVICESBureauofClinician Recruitmentand Service

JUl 12. 20m

Health Resources and ServicesAdministrationRockville. MO 20857

All redactions on this page are withheld under (b)(6).

TheHonorableHalRogersMember,U.S. House of Representatives55I CliftyStreetSomerset,Kentucky 42503DearRepresentativeRogers:Thankyou f o r Y . . Q . ~ L t f . : ~ ! ~ L o n behalfofDr.t. ..." . " " " ~ ..~ ~ ~ ~ ....-' Youwrote insupportof'Dr.l,.... . . .Japplication to the FacultyLoanRepaymentProgram (FLRP).Thisyear applications to the FLRPreachedan all time high. We receivedapproximately400 a p P . l i ( , ' : ~ 1 i 9 I I ~ J m d have thefunding to awardabout 22 contracts. Please be assuredthat Dr.] 'applicationwillreceiveequitableconsideration.I hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,h ~ . h , r d . ~ ; n - ~

~ ~ ~ P i t z g o ' T ( fT -Associate Administrator


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001MAIN S'ml!ETtlJIZIIRD,KY4no 1t80S1439-07!l4

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... .. . RECEIVED'"May 27.201009:26:10WS#20OSNUM: 052720101005OFFICEOFTHE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTERAll redactions on this page are withheld under (b)(6).

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Please respond back to me and advise meof the status ofl ...mmwJlpplication andany deelsinns or determinations in process or expected. ...

Please forward any correspondence in this regard to my District Office in Somerset. Yourcooperation andassistance in this matteris appreciated. I remain,

OL OGERSMember of Congress


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rJanuary 25,2010Page2

" 'RECEIVED'"Feb 01,201016:36:10 WS#20OSNUM: 020120101012OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCE

CONTROL CENTER

HealthCanada's advocacy m the FCTCto adopt as a recornmendanontlns sweepingbancannotbe justified as a health-related or a youth smokmgprevention measure, and ItWIll be veryharmful to significant portions of our state's economy We urge the GovernmentofCanada tobemmdful of this Impact and the ImportforU S - Canadarelations

F/d I / ~ ~EdWhItfieldMemberof CongressSincerely, t ~ en ChandlerMember of Congress',- --' - - ' - ' ~ ~ - ~ - ~ ' ~ - ~ ~ 0P-

~ Brett GuthrieMember ofCongress MemberofCongressCC ]he Honorable TomVilsack, Secretaryof theDepartmentofAgriculturey'The HonorableKathleen Sebehus, Secretaryof the Department of Health and HumanServicesThe Honorable RonKIrk, UmtedStatesTradeRepresentativeThe Honorable StockwellDay, Munster of InternationalTrade andMinister for the AsiaPacific Gateway Enqumes Service (BCI)The Honorable GaryDoer, Ambassadorof Canadato the Umted States ofAmenca- - - - -- - - - - - - - - ~ -


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THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESWASHINGTON. D.C. 20201

JUl - 6 2009The Honorable Harold RogersRanking Member, Subcommittee on Homeland SecurityCommittee on AppropriationsU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515Dear Representative Rogers:I am writing to invite you to attend the Department ofHealth and Human Services' HINIInfluenza Preparedness Summit on Thursday, July 9, in Bethesda, Maryland.The HINI influenza continues to spread nationally, The Department ofHealth andHuman Services (HHS), acting in concert with Congress, the President, and other federalagencies and departments, has worked since the very beginning of this outbreak to protectthe health ofour citizens, and continues to study the severity and progression of the virusto help inform future critical policy decisions related to vaccines and mitigationguidelines. In anticipation ofa possible fall wave of the HINl virus in the U.S., HHSand its partners have developed a National Framework for Response, which outlines thefour pillars of the Administration's overall flu preparedness strategy: medicalsurveillance; communitymitigation; vaccination; and communications.Next week's HI Nl Influenza Preparedness Summit, which I will host at the NatcherConference Centeron the campus of the National Institutes ofHealth, will bring togetherkey leaders in federal, state, and focal govenunent to discuss the steps we will need totake at every level to prepare for the fall. The goals ofthe summit are to demonstrate thefederal government's commitment to both novel BINI and seasonal flu preparedness andcall on state and local leaders to work in partnership with us to ensure they are preparedto take all appropriate measures to reduce the health and societal impact of influenza. Wewill review lessons learned from the spring HINI flu outbreak, discuss best practices bystate and local governments, provide an update on the effort to develop and potentiallyadminister an H1N1vaccine, and examine strategies for effectively communicating withstakeholders and the public. The most recent version of the draft agenda for the summitis enclosed for your review.Given your role as a leader in Congresson these issues, the summit would benefit greatlyfrom your involvement. If the busy congressional calendar precludes you from attendingin person, we.hope that you are able to send a senior representative from your staff.Thank you for all you have done to ensure our nation is prepared for health emergencieslike the ongoing HINt flu outbreak. Congress has been and will continue to be anessential partner in this effort. I look forward to working closely with you in the weeksand months ahead to protect the health of the American people.

Kathleen Sebelius


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PRlNTEOON RECYCl-EOPAPER. ~

May 21,2009

As the new leader of the Department responsible for enforcing conscience protection laws, we are writingto you regarding PresidentObama's recent comments to graduates at the University ofNotre Dame. Asyou know, the President expressed his support to allow pro-life health care providers the right to r e f u s ~ toparticipate in procedures they find morally reprehensible. '\Although federal law has long forbidden discrimination against health-care professionals who refuse toparticipation in an abortion or provide referrals for them, late last year regulations were issued requiringinstitutions that receive federal funding to certify their compliance with laws protecting conscience rights.The regulation also promoted education within the medical community regarding their rights andprovided an avenue of recourse'in the event ofdiscrimination through the Office ofCivil Rights' withinHHS.

. RECEIVED -May 28,2009 14:58:22WS 22

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We respectfully request that you honor the deeply held convictions ofmillions ofAmericans and rescindthe review of the current conscience protection regulation. In the absence of guidance and ieducation, \cases of discrimination may go unchecked and professionals may continue to leave their fields,exacerbating the health care workforce crisis that is already plaguing our country. Additionally, we urgeyou to commit to defending conscience protections in future rulemaking that affects both individual andinstitutional health care providers. W look forward toworking wjth you in protecting the consciences bfhealthcare workers across the country.incerely, 17 , ~ l l ~ ~

Honorable Kathleen SebeliusSecretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesHubert H. Humphrey Building200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Dear Secretary Sebelius:

, ' " . ICongratulations on being selected and confirmedasSecretaryof the Department of Health and HumahServices (HHS). ,In this role, you are entrusted with important responsibilities, We wishyouthe best o f 'luck as you work with Members of Congress and the Administration to protect the health .ofallAmericans, .


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fCongrt)) of the 1 t n i t t b ~ f a t t . i '1 ! 1 0 U ~ t of l \ t P r t ~ t n t ~ \ ~ t ~ G _b. a ~ b i n g t o n , ll(t 20515

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-RECEIVED-Aug 96,2008 12:13:44WS# 22OSNUM: 080620081047OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER

The Honorable Michael LeavittSecretaryDepartment ofHealth and Human Services200 Independence Ave, SWWashirigton, D.C. 20201

..Dear Secretary Leavitt,In 2004, Congress approved language included in the FY05 Labor, Health and Human ServicesAppropriations bill protecting the right of health care entities, including hospitals and insuranceproviders, to refuse to perform or refer for abortions. Specifically, the language, often referred toas the Hyde-Weldon provision, states:

None o fthe funds made available in this Act may be made availableto a Federal agency orprogram, or to a State or local government,ifsuch agency, program, or government subjects any institutional orindividual health care entity to discrimination on the basis that thehealth care entity does not provide, payfor, provide coverage of,or refer for abortions. .

As you know, this language has been included in four consecutive appropriations bills and wasintended to provide much-needed protection against documented state and local efforts, inAlaska, New Mexico, New Jersey and elsewhere, to force hospitals and other healthcareproviders to perform abortions. Unfortunately, due to the absence offederaJ regulations guidingthe implementation and enforcement ofthe Hyde-Weldon provision, many of these institutionsremain vulnerable.We strongly urge you to initiate and complete the rule-making process implementing theseconscience-protecting safeguards as soon as possible. Failure to implement the language leavesinstitutions and governments under a cloud of ambiguity regarding its application andenforcement, particularly in the face of regulations that have been interpreted as being in conflictwith the Congressionally approved language.It is our understanding that the delay in implementing Hyde-Weldon was in part due to ongoinglegal challenges to the language. While we would have preferred that regulations be issuednotwithstanding the litigation, now that all legal challenges have been dismissed, we trust that

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HHS has had ample opportunity to thoroughly examine the scope of the policies that need to be :altered in order to fully comply with the law..

~ 'Z,C:!:.vis, ~ t o n g >WlJI!JthMember ofCongress

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

This week, the NewYorkTimes reported that regulations regarding the series of conscienceprotection laws enacted by Congress over the years have been drafted and include broadprotections for the rights of conscience for medical professionals and institutions. I If thesereports are accurate, we applaud you for drafting regulations that require institutions toproactively certify.that they will not discriminate against those exercising their rights ofconscience in refusing to participate or refer for abortion. . R E C E I V E D ~ 'Aug 06,200812:13:44WS# 22OSNUM:060620061047OF F THE SECRETARYNDENCECONTRa ENTERSincerely,. - - - ~Dave Weldon, M.D..~ s BartStupakMember ofCongress

-1Abortion Proposal Sets Condition on Aid. July 15,2008. The New York Times . .http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07!15/washington/15ruJe.html?scp-1&S9-AboI1ion%2QProposal%20Sets%20CondItion%20on%20Aid&si=cse . .


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THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESWASHINGTON. D.C. 2 0 ~ O l

The Honorable Harold Rogers2406 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-1705Dear Representat ive Rogers:Thank you fo r your l e t t e r regarding proposed regula t ions from theDepartment of Health and Human Services (HHS). I wil l provideth i s response to th e o th er Representatives who co-signed yourl e t t e r .Health ca re p rov ide rs should not have to choose betweenpracticing medicine and following the i r conscience. I t i s myin tent ion to ensure tha t the conscience r ights of heal th careproviders are a p p r o p ~ i a t e l y protected.Recently, HHS issued a f inal regulation intended to raiseawareness of exis t ing Federal laws that defend the r igh ts ofhealthcare providers . to refuse to perform or refer pat ients forabortion or other act iv i t ies that might violate the i r re l ig iousbel ie fs or moral convictions. These laws include the ChurchAmendments, the Public Heal th Serv ice Act, and the WeldonAmendment.My s t a f f reviewed comments received during th e p ub lic commentperiod for th i s regulat ion. For the most par t , the publ icdiscourse over the l a s t few months has shown tha t great confusionexis ts and tha t such a regulation is necessary. The f in al ru lerepresents a balance between pat ient access to l eg a l s er vi ce s andprotect ing the conscience o f h ealth care workers in accordancewith Federal law.Please fee l free to contact me i f you have any fur ther thoughtsor questions.


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.GEOFF DAVIS4TH DISTRiCT,KENTUCKY COMMITIEE ON ARMED SERVICESSUBCOMMITTEE ON AIRAND lAND FORCES

SUaCOMMllTEE ON OVERSIGHTAND INVESTfGATCONS

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.. . RECEIVED .. .Apr22,200810:51:28WS# 20OSNUM: 042220081036OFFICEOF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contactus ifwe can be of further a s s i s t ab ce . .Sincerely,~ 4 I ~eo s HaroldRogersMember ofCongress Member of Congress

A l i L ~ j ~ ~d Whitfield ., - IMember ofCongress

. Ron LewisMember ofCongress

/ J M I . ~en ChandlerMember of Congress


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources andServicesAdministrationRockville, MD 20857

MAY 1 2008

The Honorable Harold RogersHouse of Representa t ivesWashington! DC 20515Dear Mr. Rogers:Thank you fo r your l e t t e r to Secre ta ry Leav i t t regard ing theDepartment of Health and Human Services! (HHS) Federal Reg is te rnot ice of proposed rulemaking fo r "Designat ion of Medical lyUnderserved Popula t ions and Heal th Profess iona l Shor ta g e A r ea s. "Secre ta ry Leavi t t has asked me to respond on h is beha l f .On February 29, 2008, HHS p ub lis he d th e not ice of proposedrulemaking (73 FR 11232) to rev ise and consol idate th e c r i t e r i aand processes fo r designat ing medical ly underserved popula t ions[MUPsj and hea l th pro fess iona l shor tage areas (HPSAs). HHSp rov i.ded a 60-day publ ic comment per iod , with wr i t ten commentsto he received on or before Apri l 29, 2008. HHS and th e Heal thR e s o ~ r c e s and Serv ices Administrat ion have rece ived re qu es ts fo ran extension of the comment period . In cons idera t ion of thesereques ts , HHS has extended the comment per iod an addi t iona l 30days, with a new c los ing date of May 29, 2008. The extens ion i snoted in the A pril 21, 2008, Federal Reg i s t er (73 FR 21300) . Aniden t ica l l e t t e r has been sen t to the o ther s i gna to r i e s .Thank you fo r your commitment to underserved communit ies.

Sincere ly!L UJAyLE l i ~ ~ t h M. DukeA d m i ~ i : ~ r a t o r


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The Honorable Secretary Mike LeavittU.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, DC 20201

- - RECEIVED - -May02,2007 11:54:55WS# OlPLEASE RESPOND TO:OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYC O R R E S P O N D ~ C E WASHINGTONOFFICE:CONTROL CENtl!'R 2406RAYBURNHOUSEOFFICE BUILOINGWASHINGTON,DC20515-170512021225-4601

HAROLDROGERS5THDISTRICT. KENTUCKV- - " ~COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

CHAIRMANSUBCCMMITTEE ONTHEDEPARTMENTOFHOMELANDSECURITY

SUBCOMMITTEE ONTHE DEPARTMENTS OFCOMMERCE. JUSTICE,STATEANDJUDICIARYSUBCOMMlmE ONTHEDEPARTMENTS OFTRANSPORTATION AND TREASURY. ANDINDEPENDENT AGENCIES

SELECT COMMITTEE ONHOMELANDSECURITYQ:ongrtss of tht ilnitcd ~ t a t t s

lItousr of '1R.tprtsrnmtiots~ a s h i n g t o n , 1)0: 20515-1705

April 24, 2q07

DISTRICT OFFICES:0 551CLIFTYSTREETSOMERSET, KY42501(608'879-8346OR1-800-632-85880 601MAIN STREET

HAZARD, KY4170100

(606) 439-G794~ ~ ..... 119COLLEGE STREET:::::t3:n e::::t = , ROOM212P ' lE.. KY41501C:::P1 ::::;:: f f l 4 3 2 - 4 ~. .=: '0 :x:o-0"""1"1 -< ( ')r r : ~ ~ I m_::x:~ 0 r r 1 -"'z t f l ""0.


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...-RECEIVEO-May 02,2007 11:54:55 WS# 06OFFICE OF THESECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER

Thank you for your consideration of the application for Kentucky Highlands InvestmentCorporation qr;H A R O L D R ~ R S

Member of CongressHR:jh


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- - - ..._.__ ..._---....., , ~ , , " V I : l . f .

/ + ' 4 ~ ' " DEPARTMENTOF HEALTH &.HUMAN SERVICES".....,,,;,t.....,..q

A D ~ I N I S T R A T I O N FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIESOffice of the Assistant Secretary, Suite 600370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447

MAY 182007The Honorable Harold RogersU.S. House ofRepresentativesWashington, DC 20515-1705Dear Representative Rogers:Secretary Leavitt has asked me to thank you for your letter supporting the application submittedby Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC) and to respond to you directly. Thisapplication was submitted under the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF)Community Economic Development (CED) program. .CED grant awards are made based on the program policy and selection criteria as published onthe ACF website located at: www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.Anintegral part ofthat process includes acomprehensive review of each application by a panel of independent reviewers, which will assistACF inmaking funding determinations, Please be assured that all applications will receive fairand full consideration, and a copy ofyour letter will be added to the applicant's file.I hope this information is helpful to you. Please call me if I can be of further assistance.

~ -Daniel C. SchneiderActing Assistant Secretaryfor Children and Families


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HAROLD ROGERS5THDISTRICT. KENTUCKYCOMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

CHAIRMANSUBCOMMITTEE ONTHEDEPARTMENTOFHOMElAND SECURITYSUBCOMMITTEE ONTHEDEPARTMENTS OF

TRANSPORTATION. TREASURv.JUDICIARY. ANDHUD

- RECEIVED - -Oct 03,200614:49:41 WS# 06OFFICE OFTHE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTERSEP 2 6 2006b ( ~ ~ t / {/ J; 4'C/ A r'Y\

Q:ongr[ss of th[ CJlinitnI ~ t a t [ Silous of1RtprrsmtatiofSimlashington, B - ( ) 7 9 4o 110RESOURCE COURTSUITE A

PRESTONSBURG. KV..6531 6 ( 6 ) ~

September 15,2006

- - t .

'j,:",

.j

Dear Dr. McClellan:vJ


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.". . !

6Ill MAIN STREETHAZARD. ICY 417011_1439-0784

DISTRICT OFFICES:651 CUFTYSTREETSOMERSET. ICY42501(608) Il7IH1348OR1_4688

;0mom-


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.\.laVlc'I.r

( ~ l b " DEPARTMENTOF HEALTH ANDHUMAN SERVICES'-'. J!-4''''01111

JUN 07 2006

TheHonorable HaroldRogersU.S.HouseofRepresentativesWashington, DC 20515DearRepresentative Rogers:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIESOffice of the Assistant Secretary. Suite 600370 t:Enfam Promenade, S.W.Washington. D.C. 20447

Secretary Leavitt has askedme to thankyoufor yourletter supporting the applicationsubmittedby the KentuckyHighlandsInvestmentCorporation and to respond to youdirectly. This applicationwas submittedunderthe Administration for ChildrenandFamilies' (ACF)CommunityEconomic Developmentprogram.Grantawardsare made on thebasisof theprogrampolicyand selectioncriteria aspublished on theACFwebsite locatedat: www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.Anintegral part ofthatprocess includes a comprehensive reviewofeachapplicationby a panel ofindependent reviewers,which will assistACFinmakingfundingdeterminations, Pleasebe assured that this applicationwill receivefairandfull consideration,and a copyof yourletterwill be added to the applicant's file.I hopethis information is helpful to you. Pleasecallme if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

t/>:)C\ WadeF. Hom, Ph.D.l Assistant SecretaryforChildrenand Families


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- R E c E I V ~ Q - O 278 P. 1Ocl 21:2005 12:40:32 WS# 06OFFicE OF THE S E C R E T A R ~ A $ e RESPOND TO;CORRESPONDENCE WASHINGTONO f l ' l ~ E :CONTROL C E f 5 E ~ RAYBURN HOUSE O ~ A C l l 8 U I I . O C N Q"'I'lSHiNGTON, DC2G51&.171l5. ( m l ~ e o '

OCT. 20. 2005 4: 36PMHAROLD ROGERS

rn I DfS'tllJC1, IIDI1VCKYCOMMlme ONAPPROPRIATIONS

ClWnMANSUDCOMMrneON'DiEDGPA1'ITMENT Of~ O M r ; L l l N D SECUAITV '

SU6COMMlmiQH tHE DEPARTMENl&OFl1tl\NSPOR1AlION,TIIIiAS\IRV.JUDICWlV,ANDWUIl

HO N HAROLD ROGERS

(iongrms of the: ilnittd ' ~ t a t f Sl!\ousr of RqJftsflJtatiufll

WashingtDn, i)Q: 20515-1705October20,2005

ooo

DISTlUCTOFRCES:lIIllcum STREETSOMEllSET. KYQlDI, 1 ~ B 7 ~ D R, ~

TheHonorableMichaelLeavittSecretaryDepartment ofHealthandHumanServicesHubertHumphreyBuilding,Room'615F200 Independence AveSWWashington, DC 20201,FAX (202) 690-7203

'n


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OCT. 20.2005 4: 36PM HaN HAROLD ROGERS N O . ~ ~ i ~ l V E e P - 2Ocl21',2005 12:40:32WS# 06OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY'CORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER

SecretaryMichaelLeavittOctober 20) 2005Page2

In addition, we areconcerned thatwe do not have a significantstockpile of theFDAlicensedanthraxvaccine forpre-exposure vaccination'ofour first responders aridotherswhomightbe,called upon to respond to an attack. TheDefenseDepartmenthas learnedthatmilitarypersonnel want FDA-approvedvaccines anddrugs andarehighlyresistanttotaking experimental therapies. .You. and theDepartmentare tobe commendedfor a policyofpursuingmultipletechnologies andmultiplemanufacturers of pandemicandannual influenzavaccinesandsmallpoxvaccines for the stockpiles. Likewise) theDepartmentthroughCDCexecutesmultiple contracts with. all the childhoodvaccine manufacturers for the VaccinesForChildrenand state immunizationprogramsto assurean adequatesupply andchoiceofproducts. Thereforeit does not seemto make sense for theDepartment topiace such aheavyrelianceon developmentof one. early-stageexperimental vaccineagainstanthrax,which ~ i puts atthe top of their biological threat list.Given.all of our "lessons learned"from recentvaccineshortagesand the need formultiplemanufacturers, we stronglybelieve theDepartmentshould adopt a strategyof .multiple procurements frommultiple suppliers) forboth licensedvaccine andnextgenerationvaccines) underBioShield. WhiletheDepartment's recentprocurement of 5milliondosesof theFDA-approvedanthraxvaccine is a positive step, it does not resolvetheneed for greaterbalance in the largersupplyfor the StrategicNational Stockpile., 'Wewouldgreatly appreciateyourpersonallyreviewingthismatter andprovidingUS witha planonhowthe Departmentintends to addressthis apparent gap in our preparedness ..Wewould also like to see anexplicitexplanation for thesingle-supplierprocurement foranthrax 'vaccine, noted. above. .

Sincerely,


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/'-f-. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES\ , : : i ~

FEB 16 2006The Honorable Harold RogersChairman, Subcommittee on Homeland SecurityCommittee on AppropriationsU.S. House ofRepresentativesWashington, DC 20515-1705Dear Chairman Rogers:

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Assistant Secretary forPublic Health Emergency Prepare


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Page 2 - The Honorable Harold Rogers

In November of2004, following a full and open competition, HHS awarded a contract for $877.5million to VaxGen, Inc. (Brisbane, CA) for 75million doses of an rPA anthrax vaccine. TheRequest for Proposals was open to all technically qualified companies. VaxGen, Inc. met strictU.S. Government requirements to be considered for this contract. The evaluation consideredtechnical factors, costs, past performance and small disadvantaged business participation.A highly qualified panel of experts from industry, academia and government performed thetechnical evaluation of proposals. HHS maintains a commitment to develop a next-generationrPA anthrax vaccine. In addition to this contract, HHS continues, through the National Instituteof Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), to support funding for rPA anthrax vaccinedevelopment with contracts to VaxGen, Inc. and Avecia Biotechnology.While pursuing and supporting development of this next-generation vaccine, HHS and theWeapons ofMass Destruction Medical Countermeasures Subcommittee also recognize theimportance of filling immediate needs and continually evaluating requirements. TheSubcommittee therefore supported the acquisition of five million doses of the Anthrax VaccineAdsorbed (AVA) vaccine, and HHS awarded a $122.7 million contract to BioPort CorporationlastMay. HHS has stated its intention, subject to the availability of funds, to purchase additionalAVA for the Strategic National Stockpile.HHS is proceeding with deliberate speed to acquire appropriate countermeasures to prepare foran anthrax attack. This balanced acquisition portfolio supports both immediate and futurepreparedness goals. Attached please find specific responses to the questions you posed in yourletter. I would be glad to discusswith you or your staffthe confidentiality of any specificinformation or to answer any further questions. A similar response has also been provided toRepresentative Latham.

Stewart SimonsonEnclosure


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R E C E I V E D ~ "Jun14.200512:31:28WS# 06OFFICEOF THESECRETARYPLEASE RESPOND TO:CORRESPONDENCE WASHINGTON OffiCE:CONTROLCEN19R 2406 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGWASHINGTON.OC2051!H705(2021225-


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THE SECRETARY OF H EA LT H A N D H UM AN SERVICESW A S H I N G T O N . D.C. 2 0 2 ()!

All redactions on this page are withheld under (b)(6).The Honorable Harold RogersUnited States CongressWashington, DC 20515-1705DearMr. Rogers:

Thank you for your letter recommendingDrJ ',0 serve on theMedicaid Commission here at the Department ofHeaItliancfHliiiiaiiServices.We are working diligently to attract highly-qualified individuals, and we thank

you for your help. As we continue the process of reviewing the many resumes received,please be certain that be given every consideration.

Again, thank you for your interest in the future o f the Department ofHealth andHuman Services.

Sincerely,

~ J O . ~ e : t t -v ~ c h t ~ l - ~ . L ; a ~ i ~


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-RECEIVED- NO.1 001 p, 2Jul 01,2004 08:34:36 WS# O ~ L E A S E RESPOND TO'OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY .CORRESPONDENCE wASIl''''CTONOFflCECONTROLCENlSR - 'U ' '2406 RAYBURN HOllSllOffIceBUlUllNGWASHII'I


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DEPARTMENTOFHEALTII AND HUMAN SERVICES

AOMINlSTRATlON FOR CHllORE"l AND FAMIliESOffice of the Assistant Secretary, SUIte 600370 L:Enfant Promenade. S.W.Washington. D.C. 20447

The Honorable Harold RogersU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington,DC 20515-4802

Dear Mr. Rogers:Thankyou for your letter to SecretaryThompsonregardingyour support for theapplicationfor funding submitted by forward in the Fifth, Their application wassubmittedunder theAdministration forChildrenand Families' (ACF) CompassionCapitalFundDemonstration program. I regret to informyou that the application was notfunded.Grantawards are madeon the basis of the programpolicy and selection criteria aspublishedin the Federal Register. An integralpart of that process includes acomprehensiverevi.ew of each application by a panel of independent reviewers. Theapplicationsare then rated accordingto themeritsof howwell the applicant responded tothe reviewcriteria. The applicationswith the highest ratingsare then considered forfunding. Weare in the process of notifyingall unsuccessful applicants, as well assendingthem the reviewers' comments.I appreciateyour interest in the programs administered byACF. Pleasecallme if I canbe of furtherassistance.

Sincerely,

ClarenceH. CarterDirectorOffice of Community Services


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FEB. 24. 2003 8: 58AMHAROLD ROGERS

ITH0It'll\lCT. KENTUCKYCOMIVlI"'!EONAPPFlOPRIATlOIIIS

CIIAIlIMANSUBCOWollTTliE ONTnIlNSJ'OIIT/lTIOHSUllCOMMllTES OMCONMQlCl!. JU611C[.liTAlE.ANDTImJUDICIARV

! l U 8 C O M M I l " T E ~ ONENe/lGV liNDWAT5A lll.vILOPMENT

.. . RECEIVED Feb 25,200310:38:02WS# 05OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY


[ungress of thr tlnittd ~ t a t t s!I-l.oOSf of 'RrpftsmtaDofSilDashinllblD, B 20515-J705

February 20, 2003

NO. 0309oooo

p, 2PlEASEIIEBPOND 10 :WMHINliTON OFACE:tloe ftAV8UllN IUILDINGWASIII1oIG'tON. OC2Oll1!>-nC5110112:1$-4801

DI!lTIlICT OFFIC6:lSI Cl,If1VST1I!!tT1OMEl'ISeT, ICr 4Zl101(1DlI111J-_ ORl 901 MIIIN STRm~ . I t Y " ' 7 0 11M1143I-07tI111COLLEGE &T.SUITE I, ROOM ~ , PlKlIVlI.l.'.I.'f41S01.i0614ft-U18

The Hon. Tommy O.ThompsonSecretary ofHealth and Human ServicesDepartment ofHealth andHuman Services200 Independence Ave.,S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201DearMr. Secretary;

It hascometo myattention thattheCi':y ofBeattyville, locatedinLeeCounty. Kentucky, hassubmitted anapplication for financial aasistance through the Centerfor SubstanceAbuseTreatment's Targeted Capacity Expansion (TGE) program (PA 0 3 ~ O O I ) . I strongly suPPOl1 thisapplication andurgeyourcarefulconsideration.ThepwposeoftheTeE program isto provide localgovernments the resources to expandsubstance andalcohol abusetreatmentservices to underserved communities. ProjectAdvanceis amodelprogram. that assists women wbohavedeveloped substance abuseproblems fromtral1ll1atic experiencesor upbringing, andprovides stabilization, recovery, andtransitional careservices. TheCityofBeattyviUe

is requesting approximately $438,000 to expandProjectAdvance intoLee,Owsley,Breathitt, andWolfecounties, some ofthemostunderserved counties inKentucky Appalachia.Thisprogram basthe unqualified supportof theUniversity ofKentuckyCenter forDrugandAlcohol Research, aswellasKentucky RiverCommunity Care, Inc. I amconfident t h a ~ given thededication ofeveryone involved, additional funds from your programwill goa longway towardmakingProjectAdvance available to thosethattrulyneed help. Asyou review applications, I urgeyou to keepthe significantDeeds of southern and eastern Kentucky inmind.

. , , ~ - - -

HR:dc


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M a r . ] ~ . 2003 2:06PMa .::::I- DKPAIl'1'MI!NTOI'HEAL'l'lI"HUMANSB1WlCllSFEB 2 7 2003

The Honorable Harold RogersHouse of RepresentativesWashington. D.C. 20515-1705DearMr. Rogers:

No.5029 P.36SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealth ServletaAdministrationCenterfarMental HeBlth SIMCR.Centerfor Substallce AbuPreventionCant8r for SubstanceAbuTreatmentRockville MD 20857

S ~ c r e t a 1 Y Thompson asked me to thank you for your letterofFebruary 20, and to responddirectly to you regarding your support of a grantapplication submitted by the Ciry ofBeattyVille, located in Lee County, Kentucky.Grant applications received by theSubstance Abuse and Mental HealthServicesAdministration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) are reviewed fortechnical merit by a peerreviewgroup composed primarily of non-Federal experts in therelevant fields. Uponcompletion at' the initial review, all scoredapplications are submitted toSAMHSNCSAT's National Advisory Council for a second level review. All applicants arenotified of the review results. Selection for funding is based on the outcome of the review1 theavailability of funds, and othercriteria listedin thegrant announcement. Unfortunately, fundsmay notbe available to fund all scored applications.Please be assured that the application will receive careful and fair consideration. If it isrecommended for approval and selected for an award, you will be notified by theDepartment'sCongressional Liaison Office.If your staff needs further information on this grant, they maycontactMr. J o ~ e p h Faha,SAMHSA's Director of Legislation, at (301) 443-4640. Thank you for your Interest in ourprograms.

Sincerely,,./ .. " . ~ . _.. '")" E ~ .. ' .... : : ~ . . > ... ~ Charles G. Curiel M . ~ ' t : ' \ ' V .Administrator

. CI II RI ~ -"'ICc, ofMllUlllld Can-Of(lllll ofI . . - J ' \ _ of EquII Empfoymem o p ~ u n l l V .. v grn........ '"of'" ned SlIIdl-otnCl ofCammun CItlOnr-wl...../foe or til. Admln'lItfllor-OffiCl 1.....1> r. mlnl l l lnn-MI .... nrPr". ram S.rvicell__J- . IU __ ...... """-,. . , , ~ r _ . . . . . ."...... : IV'


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HAROlD ROGERS5TH DISlRICT.KENTUCKY

COMMITTEE ONAPPROPRIATIONS

CHAIRMANSUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATIONSUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE. JUSTICE,STATE. AND THE JUDICIARY

Sl'BCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY ANDWA.TER DEVElOPMENT

' "RECEIVED' ' 'Jan 02,2003 11:49:44 WS# 05OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER 0

o([ongress of the tinitrd ~ t a t e s 0

lllollsr of Rcprrsrntatiut5 0illlJashington, 16([ 20515-1705

December 18. 2002

PLEASERESPONDTO:WASHINGTON OfFICE

2406 RAYBURNBUILDINGWASHINGTON, DC 20515-1705

(202j 22S-4601

DISTRICT OFFICES;551CLIFTYSTREETSOMERSET. KY42501(606) 679-8346 OR1-80()..632-85BB50' MAIN STREETHAZARD, KV4170116061439-0794119COLLEGE ST.sorrr 2 ,ROOM 212PIKEVILLE. KV 41501e606\ 432-4388

The Hon. Tommy G. ThompsonSecretary ofHealth and Human ServicesDepartment ofHealth and Human Services200 Independence Ave., S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Dear Mr. Secretary:

It has come to my attention that the TaylorCounty Industrial Development Authority, locatedin Campbellsville, Kentucky, has submitted an application for financial assistance through the Center forSubstanceAbuse Treatment's (CSAT) Targeted Capacity Expansion program (CFDA 98.230). I amwriting today to urge your strongest consideration of their proposal.The purpose ofCSAT's Targeted CapacityExpansion program is to provide local governmentsthe resources they need to expand substance and alcohol abuse treatment services to underservedcommunities. The Rural Women's Recovery Project, developed by Taylor County in 2000, seeks to assistwomen who have developed a substance abuse problem as a result of a traumatic experienceor upbringing. As someone who has worked for many years, alongside many concerned citizens, tocombat illegal drug use in southern and eastern Kentucky, I believe that more programs like the Rural

Women's Recovery Project are needed.I am proud to say that the Rural Women's Recovery Project has the unqualified support

ofCampbellsville University, the Campbellsville/Taylor County Anti-Drug Coalition, and the CentralKentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy. I am confident that a grant from your program will go along way toward helping Taylor County broaden its reach to several more counties. As you reviewapplications, I urge you to keep the significant needs of southern and eastern Kentucky in mind.

Again, thanks for your consideration. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contactme or David Connelly ofmy staffat 202-225-4601.

d ~ ~ ~OOERS/Member ofCongress

HR:dcCc: Jeffrey Schuhmann, Taylor County Industrial Development Authority

-------_ _--


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Jan /31. 2003 5:57PM.(J. DEPARTMENTOPHEALTH a.HUMAN S:EllVICESJAN 3 1 ZOO3

No.4877 P.20SubliUlnljletAbu and MemalHealth ServicesAdminilltrationCenterfor Mental H e ~ l t h Stllvice$Center for SubstanceAbusePtellentionCftnterforSub,tanee AbtJII.,TreatmentRoc:kvill" MD20B57

The HonorableHarold RogersHouseofRepresentativesWashington, D_C. 205151409DearMr.Rogers:Secretary Thompson _ asked :me to thank. you for your letter ofDecember 18. 2002, and torespond. directly to you regarding the Taylor County Industrial Development Authority grant.application. .Grant applications received by theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Senric:es Administration's(SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) are reviewed for technical merit by apeer review group composed primarily ofnon-Federill experts in the relevant fields. Uponcompletion ofthe initial review, all scored applications are submitted to SAMHSAlCSAT'sNationalAdvisory Council for a second level review, All applicants are notified of the reviewresults. Selection for fundjng isbased on the outcome of the review, the availability offQnds, andothercriteria listed in the grant announcement. Unfortunately. funds may not be available to fundall scored applications.Please be assured that tho application will. receive careful and fair consideration. I f it isrecommended for approval aDd selected for an 8'W8(d, you wiD benotified by the Department'sCongressional LiaisonOffice.Ifthe staffOf the Taylor County Industrial Development Authorityneed fUrther assistanceconcerning thismatter, they may wish 10 contact Mady Chalk, P h . D . ~ Director, Division ofServices Improvement. SAMHSA/CSAT, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II, 6th Floor, Rockville,Maryland 20857, telephone (301) 443-8796.Thank you for your interest in our programs to eombat substance abuse.

Offlc8 \II Ihe AdmlrlIOIr,10r-O,""" of Applied $tudi....-4lfI. of COmMunio.tlall""Offic. of EQualEITtployment OpllOrlunlly III CI..II lIillhtll-Offl"B of M.negcd c.r -oHlc l l ofMlno rJrt H a l l t ~ l f t c : o of Pelley II Progf.m CcJordlnlllcl)-OfllClll p' Prc>gram S.rvk:n. ' . , ..'.. . '. . . . . . .... ... . ...,. . " . . .. . . . . . . .. .


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SEP. 26. 2:)02 11 :44AMHAROLD ROGERS5THCISTRI


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..........Cf,J

( DEPARTMENT OFHEALTHAND HUMAN SERVICES,,1-ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIESOffice of the Assistant Secretary, Suite 600370 l:Enfant Promenade, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447

DEC 4 2[02The Honorable Harold RogersHouse ofRepresentativesWashington, D.C. 20515Dear Mr. Rogers:Thank you for your letter of support for the grant application submitted by the Morgan CountyBoard ofEducation for Early Learning Opportunities Act funding.All applications submitted for funding consideration were competitively and impartiallyreviewed by panels composed of individuals knowledgeable in the fields of child care and earlychildhood development, including professionals who work in those fields. Each application wasevaluated on its programmatic and technical merits based on the criteria published in the FederalRegister on April 25, 2002.Funding decisions have been made and I regret to inform you that the application from theMorgan County Board ofEducation was not selected. The funds available allowed us to selectonly the highest scoring applications.Thank you for your interest in our programs. Please be assured that the application submittedby the Morgan County Board of Education received a full and impartial review.

Sincerely,

Wade F. Horn, Ph.D.Assistant Secretaryfor Children and Families


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RECEIVED Sep 11,2002 14:34:47WS#05OFFICEOF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCE 0CONTROLCENTER

HAROlD ROGERS5TH DISTRICT.KENTUCKYCOMMITTEE ON.ll.PPROPR1ATIONS

CHAIRMANSUBCOMMITIEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SUBCOMMITTEEON COMMERCE,JUSTICE,STATE, AND THE JUDIC1ARYSUBC:OMMJTIEEONENERGYANDWATERDEVELOPMENT iongrrss of the


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DEPARTMENTOF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIESOffice of the Assistant Secretary, Suite 60037 0 tEnfant Promenade. S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447

SEP 30 2JGZ

The Honorable Harold RogersHouse ofRepresentativesWashington, D.C. 20515-) 705Dear Mr. Rogers:Secretary Thompson asked me to thank you for your letter and to respond directly to youconcerning your support for the application submitted by the Southem Kentucky EconomicDevelopment Corporation (SKEDe). SKEDe's application was submitted for funding under theAdministration for Children and Families' (ACF) Community Economic Development Program.Applications for funding have been reviewed and evaluated competitively by independentreviewers according to each applicant's responsiveness to the program guidelines andevaluation criteria published in the program announcement. The results of these reviewswill assist ACF in considering applications for funding. Grant awards will be announcedno later than September 30, 200LI hope this information will be helpful to you and your constituent. Please call me if I can be offurther assistance.

Sincerely,

Wade F. Hom, Ph.D.Assistant Secretaryfor Children and Families


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' " R E C E I V E D ' ' 'Ju110.2002 14:33:50 WS# 04OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCE 0CONTROL CENTERHAROLD ROGERS

5THDISTRICT, KENTUCKYCOMMITTEE ONAPPROPRIATIONS

CHAIRMANSUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SUBCOMMInEE ON COMMERCE. JUSTICE.STATE. AND THE JUDICIARYSUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND

WATER DEVELOPMENT tiongrrss of thr tinitro ~ t a t f siRonsr of 'lRrprcsn11ltinrs

Washington, 1.9(i 20515-1705July 2,2002

ooo

PLEASE RESPOND TO:WASHINGTON OFFICE:2406 RAYBURNBUILDING

WASHINGTON. DC 20515-1705(2021 225-4Sll1

OISTRiCTOFFICES:551 CLIFTY STREETSOMERSET, KY 42501('061579-83


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AUG 7 ~ G 0 2

DEPARTMENTOF HEALTH &.HUMAN SERVICES

The Honorable Harold RogersHouse ofRepresentativesWashington, D.C. 20515-1705DearMr. Rogers:

7 SubstanceAbuse and MentalHealth Services AdministrationCenter forMental Health ServicesCenter forSubstanceAbusePreventionCenter for SubstanceAbuseTreatmentRockville MD 20857Secretary Thompson has asked me to thank you for your letter of July 2, and to respond directlyto you regarding your support ofa grant application submitted by the City ofBeattyville.Grant applications received by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's(SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) are reviewed for technical merit by apeer review group composed primarily ofnon-Federal experts in the relevant fields. Uponcompletion of the initial review, all scored applications are submitted to SAMHSNCSAT'sNational Advisory Council for a second level review. All applicants are notified of the reviewresults. Selection for funding is based on the outcome of the review, the availability of funds, andother criteria listed in the grant announcement. Unfortunately, funds may not be available to fundall scored applications.Please be assured that the application will receive careful and fair consideration. If it isrecommended for approval and selected for an award, you will be notified by the Department'sCongressional Liaison Office.

If the staffof the City ofBeattyville need further assistance concerning this matter, they may wishto contact Mady Chalk, Ph.D., Director, Division of Services Improvement, SAMHSNCSAT,5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II, 7th Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20857, telephone (301) 443-8796.Thank you for your interest in our programs to combat substance abuse.

Office of the Administrator-Office of Applied Studias-Office of Communications-Office of Equal Employment Opponunity & Civil Rights-Office of Managed Care-Qftice oMinority H ~ a l l h - O f f i c a of Pol icy III Program Coordinatioll-Office of Program Services

._--_._-- ..._--_._--_. ----


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((ongress of tbe Itniteb ~ t a t e ~Uasl)ington.J)14: 20515

October 10, 2001The Honorable Tommy ThompsonSecretaryDepartment ofHealth and Human Services200 Independence Ave., S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Dear Mr. Secretary:

RECEIVED -.OcI15,2001 14:22:57WS# 05OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

CORRESPONDENCECONTROLCENTER

On behalfof all the healthcare providers in Kentucky, thank you for all your hard work asyou address the numerous healthcare issues important to both urban and rural communities.However, we would like to take this opportunity to raise with you a topic of concern to ourconstituencies.It has come to our attention that the Department ofHealth and Human Services (RRS)intends to issue a proposed rule eliminating the 150 percent federal Medicaid upper paymentlimit (UPL) for non-state governmental hospitals. Because Medicaid payments to Kentuckyhospitals have not kept pace with actual costs, this limit is crucial to our providers that treatMedicaid patients. According to the Kentucky Hospital Association, the percent of actualtreatment costs covered by Medicaid has dropped from 93 percent to 78 percent since 1995. Inaddition, according to the most recent MedPac report to Congress, Kentucky ranked tenth lowestamong the states in the percent ofMedicaid cost covered by Medicaid payments. For the currentfiscal year, Kentucky is anticipating a Medicaid deficit of approximately $163 million.In order to cover their Medicaid costs, several states developed intergovernmentaltransfer (lOTs) programs whereby local public hospitals were reimbursed by state governmentsat higher levels so as to claim larger federal reimbursements. Local hospitals were then requiredto return excess funds to the state to help cover their share ofMedicaid costs. While we respectthe administration's goal of curbing abuses committed by some states that previously used excessMedicaid reimbursements for non-Medicaid purposes, we feel that an elimination ofor reductionin the 150 percent UPL would be detrimental to Kentucky's 22 public hospitals. The current rule,effective March 13, 2001, addresses abusive accounting practices promulgated by some state

lOT programs, and recognizes the importance of the 150 percent UPL in protecting the role ofsafety net hospitals in providing essential services and uncompensated care.Kentucky has developed and submitted an lOT plan that is in full compliance with thecurrent rule, and we trust that all federal funds realized from this plan will stay within theMedicaid program. To rescind the 150 percent UPL now would put Kentucky in a precarioussituation as they struggle to meet their responsibilities to its hospitals. Therefore, we oppose any

adjustment to the 150 percent UPL and hope that you will expeditiously approve Kentucky'S lOTplan as provided for under the current rule.

S i n c e r ~ ~Ron Lewis

PAINTED ON RECVCLED PAPER


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October 5,200 I Thompson Letter, Page 2

Ken Lucas '

" 'RECEIVED-Oct 15,200114:22:57ws# 05OFFICEOF THE SECRETARY



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH &.HUMAN SERVICES.f

OCT 2 2 2001

The Honorable Harold RogersHouse ofRepresentativesWashington, DC 20515DearMr. Rogers:

Health Care financing Administrat

The AdministratorWashington, D.C. 20201

The Secretary read with interest the concerns that you and your colleagues in Congressconveyed. He has asked me to respond directly to you regarding the rulemaking related to the150 percent upper payment limit (UPL) for Medicaid payments to non-state government-ownedor operated hospitals.We appreciate your desire to maintain Federal funding to provide health care services to millionsof low-income and uninsured citizens ofKentucky. The Medicaid program will continue to besuccessful only to the extent that it adheres to that mission and ensures that the funds providedare used appropriately and that the program retains its integrity.Since we issued our UPL rule in January, states and hospitals have expressed concern about theimpact on other health care programs. We share these concerns, and are committed to endinginappropriate use ofFederal funds. We also want to ensure that public hospitals and other safetynet providers can continue to meet their mission of serving Medicaid and uninsured patients.We are considering issuing a notice ofproposed rulemaking that will address the 150 percentUPL for non-state government-owned or operated hospitals. The proposed rule will be open topublic comments, and we would welcome your detailed input. Your views on this issue areimportant to me and will be given full consideration as we evaluatemoving forward with thisissue.We look forward to working with you and your colleagues in Congress in our quest to findcreative, effective and efficient ways to provide health care to those in need. An identical letteralso will be sent to the other co-signers ofyour letter.

Sincerely,( jLThomas A. ScullyAdministratorCenters for MedicareTheHealthCareFinancingAdministration (HCFA) was renamed to the Centen for Medicare& Metlical4Services (CMS). We are exercising fiscal restraintby exhausting our stockofstationery.


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-RECEIVED'"Jun 25,2001 14:57:44WS# 05 PLEASE RESPOND TO:OFFICEOF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCE WASHINGTONOFFICE'CONTROLCENTER 0 2400 RAYBURN BUILDING

WASHINGTON. DC205'5-170512021 225-4001

HAROLD ROGERS!;TH DISTRICT.KENTUCKY

COMMITIEE ONAPPROPRIATIONSCHAIRMAN

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATIONSUBCOMMmEEON COMMERCE.JUSTICE.

STATE. AND THEJUDICIARYSUBCOMMlffiE ON ENERGYANDWATERDEVELOPMENT ([ongfrss of the mnitrd ~ t a t r s

iltousr of 'Rrprcsmtatincs~ a s h i n g t o n , B 20515-1705

June 21, 2001

ooo

OI$TAICT OFFICES:551 CLIFTY STREETSOMERSET.KY 4250'15061679-8345 OR1-800-632-8588601 MAIN STREETHAZARD. KY 4170'16061 439-0794"9 COLLEGEST.SUITE 2. ROOM 212PIKEVillE. KY 4j 5011606)432-4388

The Hon. Tommy G. ThompsonSecretary ofHealth and Human ServicesDepartment ofHealth and Human Services200 Independence Ave., S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Dear Mr. Secretary:

I want to express my unqualified support for the grant application byHazard PerryCounty Community Ministries, Inc. for their "NewBeginnings" program through the Office ofCommunity Services: Administration for Children and Families. I urge you to approve thisgrant, which would provide welfare recipients needed education and employment in thechildcare industry.Lack of accessible and affordable child-care is one identifiable barrier in moving familiesfrom welfare to work and out ofpoverty. This both presents an obstacle for welfare recipientsseeking employment and limits industry expansion and economic development in the region.The Hazard Perry County Community Ministries, Inc. has developed an innovativeapproach entitled "New Beginnings" to provide employment and educational opportunities for

welfare recipients and low income families while meeting the child care and early childhooddevelopment needs ofother potential new industries in Hazard and Perry County, Kentucky. Ibelieve this initiative will provide an opportunity for people to move from welfare to work,blending education withjob training and thereby reducing the traditional barriers facing ruralKentucky families. This organization has already secured nearly $2 million from other publicand private sources. The $500,000 requested in their grant application will make this program areality, while maximizing the federal government's investment.I sincerely hope this grant application is successful and thank you in advance for yow'attention to this matter. IfI can be of any further assistance on behalfofHazard Perry CountyCommunity Ministries, Inc. feel free to contact me or Roger Libby in my Washington office.

A R O L D ~ ~Member ofCongressCC: Gerry Roll, Hazard Perry County Community Ministries, Inc.


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICESADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES370 l'Enfant Promenade, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447

JUl 13 2001

The Honorable Harold RogersU. S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515-1705Dear Mr. Rogers:Secretary Thompson has asked me to thank you for your recent letter, and to responddirectly to you.Thank you for your endorsement of the application submitted by the Hazard PerryCounty Community Ministries, Inc. The application was submitted for funding under ourDiscretionary Community Development Program.All applications for funding will be reviewed and evaluated competitively by independentreviewers according to their responsiveness to the program quidellnes and theevaluation criteria published in the program announcement. The results of thesereviews will assist the Director and OCS Program Staff in considering applications forfunding. Grant awards will be announced no later than September 30, 2001.We appreciate your interest in the programs administered by OCS and we thank you foryour letter of support.

Sincerely,~ C l a r e n : ~ ~ GarterDirectorOffice of Community Services


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-RECEIVED'"Sap 27,2000 09:14:18 WS# 03OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYCORRESPONDENCECONTROL CENTER 0HAROLD ROGERS

5TH DISTRICT. KENTUCKV

COMMITTEE ONAPPROPRIATIONSCHAIRMAN

S U B C O M M I T I ~ E ON COMMERCE.JUSTICE, STATE. AND THEJUDICIARY

VICE-CHAIRMANSUBCOMMITIEE ON ENERGyANDWATER DEVELOPMENTMEMBER.SUBCOMMITTEEON

TRANSPORTATION


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' ' 'RECEIVED-Sap 27,2000 09:14:18 WS# 03OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY


While the clinic was meeting with its board members to determine ifUK could dothe coordination, the university was informed that they needed to either accept the grantwith the 30% reduction or forfeit the grant completely. Still believing there was someway to make the program work with the 30% cut, UK accepted the contract for the grant(# I-D37-HP-00777-01) and received a letter dated June 28,2000 awarding the contract.TheWhite House Clinic later informed UK that they could not afford toparticipate without the on-site coordinator, and the program coordinator for UK said that

the cut can not be spread across the board in order to provide for this position. Therefore,the program is now at risk ofleaving Jackson County. UK was informed by a HRSArepresentative that they could use an alternate site closer to Lexington, enabling them tocoordinate from the university, iftheWhite House Clinic pulled out and the new site wasin an underserved area. This is not UK's preference and would seriously hurt those whoneed this and similar programs to provide health care in Jackson County and thesurrounding underserved area.

I therefore ask you again to reconsider the decision by HRSA's Bureau ofHealthProfessions under your department. This cut is unreasonable and would have devastatingeffects on the people of rural southeastern Kentucky.

CC: Claude Fox, HRSA Administrator