The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing for three nominees for top jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Chris Klomp to be deputy secretary at HHS, Nicole Saphier to be surgeon general, and Timothy Westlake to lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The details:

Prevention: The nominees noted their work advocating for prevention and the importance of preventing chronic disease, mental health, and substance use.
Harm reduction: When asked whether he would reverse guidance issued earlier this year stating that SAMHSA grantees could not use federal funds to purchase drug test strips, Westlake said, “Harm reduction for me means eliminating the risky behaviors that lead to the devastating effects of the disease process.” The SUPPORT Act reauthorization allows for federal funds to be used on test strips, but Westlake asserted there was no evidence that test strips reduce overdoses and that the latest guidance is lawful.
Treatment and recovery: Westlake highlighted the gaps in care and complex systems Americans have to navigate. He said he recognizes the “powerful roles that family, faith, purpose, and community play in recovery” and that he would aim to “build a culture where recovery is not merely possible, but expected and celebrated. Where the chronic disease of mental illness and addiction will be understood and treated with the same diligence as any other deadly chronic disease. Where the principles of recovery and connection grow to extend beyond the healthcare system and into our workplaces and communities.”
Lived experience: Westlake said he has been in recovery for nearly three decades and spoke about personal connections to overdose deaths. He also discussed his experience as an emergency physician, emergency medical services (EMS) medical director, and SAMHSA official.
Vaping: When asked whether she agreed with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision to allow the sale of fruit-flavored vapes, Saphier said she doesn’t “want anyone smoking anything,” but “if a flavor can entice an adult to quit smoking cigarettes, then maybe it’s something to be considered.” She said she would work with FDA to review the data and “present a clear, concise message to the American people,” which several senators noted was important to prevent youth use. Klomp highlighted the need for collaboration between FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enforce against illegal importation of vaping products that target youth.
Technology: Senators asked about the impacts of social media and AI on youth mental health. Saphier and Westlake noted the risks and committed to studying and addressing them.
HHS cuts: Several senators highlighted abrupt terminations and delays in funding at agencies including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), SAMHSA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as cuts to staffing at the agencies and programs such as the Drug Abuse Warning Network.

Next steps: The committee will vote this week on whether to advance Saphier and Westlake to the full Senate. The Senate Finance Committee will vote on Klomp’s nomination.