The Senate Appropriations Committee, Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee Hearing on “FY 2020 Budget Request for the Health and Human Services Department” in which HHS Secretary Azar testified on behalf of the Department’s budget request.
Both parties supported the fight against opioid addiction, and Sec. Azar expressed his willingness to work with Congress to develop legislation, such as including Jessie’s Law in the SUPPORT Act. With increasing rates of e-cigarette usage among youth, Sec. Azar committed to address tobacco use by potentially adding more regulation but called upon manufacturers to better control the sale of their products. A majority of the hearing focused on how HHS is handling unaccompanied minors at the border, health coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, and Title X family planning funds.