Good morning. Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, and members of the Committee, I am very pleased to join you today in support of the nomination of Dr. Melanie Egorin as the Assistant Secretary of Legislation at the Department of Health and Human Services.
It is a testament to the exceptional talent of the Ways and Means Committee staff that this is now the second time that I have the pleasure of appearing before you to introduce an esteemed member of the Ways and Means family for a position in the Biden Administration.
Dr. Egorin has served as a valued member of the Ways and Means Committee staff for eight years. And it is on the basis of my personal knowledge of that service that I can without reservation attest to her professionalism, diligence, commitment, and intellect, and I encourage you all to support her nomination.
Dr. Egorin currently serves as Deputy Staff Director of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health and also serves as professional staff member for the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee. As the lead staffer covering Affordable Care Act policies, the Medicare Advantage program, private health coverage, and other health tax-related issues, she has developed an incredible breadth of subject matter expertise that will aid her in this new leadership role at HHS.
Over the years, Dr. Egorin spearheaded the development of several policies that became law, but her steadfast work to protect the Affordable Care Act is arguably her crowning achievement in her time on Capitol Hill. She possesses an undeniable passion for ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality, health care.
Even when working on issues that can invite partisan disagreements, Dr. Egorin consistently conducts herself with integrity and respect for those who hold different views. She likely cultivated this even-handed professionalism during her time as a senior analyst at the non-partisan Government Accountability Office - it’s an attribute that will serve her well at HHS as she works with individuals on both sides of the aisle, both maintaining existing relationships and developing new ones.
It’s also worth noting that in addition to her professional responsibilities, Dr. Egorin also takes time to mentor young Capitol Hill staff. This quiet, meaningful commitment to cultivating the next generation of health policy experts exemplifies her passion for her work and her dedication to ensuring a pipeline of thoughtful leaders in the field.
I am confident that Dr. Egorin will carry this genuine enthusiasm and sense of purpose with her to the Department of Health and Human Services, and I have no doubt that she will excel in her new role there. She will be an honorable and effective representative for HHS with Congress, and I urge you to advance her nomination. Thank you.
