HDMA COMMENDS PRESIDENT OBAMA ON THE NOMINATION OF GOVERNOR SEBELIUS AS HHS SECRETARY

Arlington, VA – March 3, 2009 –The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) commends President Barack Obama on the nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

 “We applaud the nomination of Governor Sebelius as HHS Secretary,” said HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray.   “If confirmed, she will preside at an historic time at the Department, where challenges such as healthcare reform, drug safety and administration of Medicare and Medicaid will require strong, bold leadership.  As a governor, former insurance commissioner and state legislator, Governor Sebelius brings an array of unique and valuable insights on health care programs.  We believe these insights will be important in creating the collaborative atmosphere necessary as Congress prepares to enact meaningful healthcare reform.”
 
“HDMA’s member companies – the nation’s primary healthcare distributors – are committed to developing healthcare policies that improve the safety, affordability and accessibility of patient-focused healthcare.  We look forward to working with Governor Sebelius and the Congress to help shape the future of healthcare delivery. We are dedicated to working with lawmakers across both sides of the aisle, as we focus on efforts toward positive healthcare outcomes,” continued Gray.

About HDMA
The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is the national association representing primary, full-service healthcare distributors. Each business day, the member companies of HDMA are responsible for ensuring that more than eight million prescription medicines and healthcare products are safely delivered to 145,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, clinics, government and other providers in all 50 states. This essential public health function is provided with tremendous efficiency, saving the nation’s healthcare system nearly $32 billion each year. HDMA and its members are the vital link in the healthcare system, working daily to provide value, remove costs and develop innovative solutions to deliver care safely and effectively.