Issued November 13, 2017
WASHINGTON—SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement following the Trump Administration’s nomination of Alex Azar to replace former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price:
“The working women and men of SEIU have fought tirelessly to ensure that everyone in America has affordable, comprehensive healthcare and to protect the essential services that Medicaid delivers to one in five seniors, children and people with disabilities. If Alex Azar refuses to stand up for these principles, we will make our voices heard in opposing his nomination to be Health and Human Services Secretary.
“Azar’s record of cheerleading for big drug companies means Americans should question if the Trump administration understands the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mission to protect the health of all people, not corporate profits.
“As the nation’s largest union of healthcare workers, SEIU members know how much the health and well-being of one person affects not just their family, but their entire community. We will be watching Alex Azar’s confirmation process closely, and will hold senators accountable to ensuring working families, seniors, children and people with disabilities have a HHS secretary that cares about all Americans."