The Arizona Senate’s newly created board nominating committee has given its recommendation to one of Governor Katie Hobbs’ appointees after lengthy and controversial hearings, but opinions with public health policy have risen. Rejected another person due to differences in

Dr. Teresa Cullen, former Pima County Public Health Director, was named by Hobbes as the new director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. But her appointment was derailed after panel Republicans voted not to confirm her because of actions she and the Pima County Board of Supervisors took during the pandemic to curb the spread of COVID-19. It seems that.

The new commission, which exists solely to review the people Hobbes has appointed to head dozens of state agencies, is led by Senator Jake Hoffman, a Queen Creek Republican who heads Arizona’s Liberty Caucus.

The group, formed last year, far-right US House Liberal caucuses intended to push ultra-conservative policy Outside the usual Republican policy agenda. Earlier this year, the Arizona Freedom caucuses said: was going to sue Hobbes A lawsuit has yet to materialize, but over her use of executive orders.

Hoffman pressured Karen at a committee hearing, blaming her for an increase in “depression” and “suicide” among children due to school closures early in the pandemic. Hoffman also claimed that “thousands” of jobs have been lost due to a Pima County program that requires businesses to comply with COVID-19 regulations.

Research on the impact of closing and not closing schools Showed inconsistent resultsand researchers still under discussion
How future influences will or will not affect our children. Although research has shown that children in poor socioeconomic status experience some learning loss, most students experience minor setbacks that they may be able to recover. increase.

“I don’t have a good reaction to you. I just know there were a lot of moving parts and I was making decisions about what I believed was best to save lives.” Asked by Hoffman about implementing school closures, Karen claimed Hoffman had a “complex” problem of depression and suicide.

Hoffman also raised the issue PimaReady.com
Websites likened to the “scarlet letter” for business. Listed restaurants following COVID-19 guidance and conducted restaurant inspections.

Cullen claimed he was “directed” by then-Pima County administrator Chuck Huckleberry to allow the website to be created. But Hoffman was not satisfied, claiming he “didn’t have a say” as the county health department’s top executive.

“I had a voice. My department had a voice. It was clearly ineffective in bringing the website down,” Cullen said in response to Hoffman. Cullen said only one of his complaints led to the closure, and his other 11 were referred to the Liquor Commission. She said the overwhelming majority of companies that violated the regulations, 168 in total, responded to the education.

Karen also faced criticism for the curfew introduced in Pima County during the pandemic. ruled in violation of state lawHoffman and Senator Janae Schamp, R-Surprise, both called Karen “arrogant”, with Hoffman adding that she felt Karen treated businesses as if they were “below” her.

Hoffmann and Shampoo Strong opposition to COVID lockdownvaccines and other pandemic public health measures.

Commissions and the public also opposed Karen on the following issues: health equity, some claimed it was a vicious or “racist” scheme. Health equity is a way of looking at health disparities in socioeconomic, racial, disability, or other factors to determine how those disparities affect health outcomes.

Cullen gave the commission an example of how Pima County used health equity to determine that individuals over the age of 85 were more likely to die from COVID-19. .

“The only way to improve overall health is to identify the causes of unequal access, unequal care and unequal outcomes,” says Cullen.

One person who testified against Cullen called health equity a “stealth race agenda” and compared it to “affirmative action.” Other speakers criticized conspiracies, such as comparing the pharmaceutical industry to a “global secret society” and questioning whether Karen contributed to a “global agenda” that seemed to refer to anti-Semites. brought up an argument.globalistconspiracy theory.

Karen also had defenders.

“She wants to do the right thing. Dr. England said.

He said Pima County is unique. Because that public health department is “the only place where the local health director isn’t at the top,” and the policy maker. Englund defended her Cullen, saying certain decisions, such as the curfew and her PimaReady.com website, were not entirely within her control.

But that didn’t sway the commission.

“My biggest concern is that decisions made at the county level will be replicated and magnified at the state level,” said Senator Sine Kerr of R-Buckeye.

Democrats on the committee applauded Cullen’s body of work, a retired Rear Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service, and lamented that he didn’t do more on the committee.

“You have been very patient and very polite in a very difficult situation,” said D-Mesa Senator Eva Birch. “I’m sorry I couldn’t speak more about you on this committee.”

Birch added that he would like a public health director like Karen who is dedicated to public health ideals.

“I think these measures have reduced the number of deaths,” said Mr. Birch, lamenting a series of questions by his Republican colleagues. “You are either a team personal liberty or a team lockdown… nobody got it right during the pandemic.”

Republicans used this time to attack Hobbes, claiming that he had not “prepared” Cullen for the commission and had not brought in enough candidates for the position.

“I don’t think this reflects you and your career as a person,” Carr said, dissenting. I sincerely believe that I did not.”

Hoffman called Cullen an “extreme candidate” and Schamp said her nomination did not demonstrate the “transformative leadership” that represented the Hobbes administration.

Hobbes gave to twitter She expresses her dissatisfaction with the committee’s decision, which called it “partisan politics.”

“What we witnessed today was a political drama exercise, and it is unfortunate that Arizonans have to suffer for it,” Hobbes’ statement said, adding that she would support her nomination. Her dedication and vision to make our state as healthy as possible is exactly what Arizona needs right now.”

A spokesperson for Hobbes’ office said the governor had not yet decided how she would proceed.

The committee recommended Angela Brooke-Rogers, who was already serving as director of the Department of Economic Security last week, for her position. He also worked as a policy advisor under