APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, sent a letter (PDF, 82KB) to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC) supporting the confirmation of Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, PhD, to be the assistant secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Evans said: “Dr. Delphin-Rittmon is exceedingly well qualified for this position given her expertise in behavioral health ranging from service delivery to health care reform and her experience as commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)…Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was instrumental in leading Connecticut’s response to the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that those living with a mental health and/or substance use disorders were not left behind.”
APA’s support for Delphin-Rittmon is based on her expertise related to addressing health equity and her commitment to promoting recovery-oriented, integrated, and culturally responsive services and systems that foster dignity, respect, and meaningful community inclusion. Her past experience as a senior advisor to SAMHSA will enable her to immediately dive into enhancing behavioral health services across the nation as the U.S. continues to address the ongoing and long-lasting effects of the pandemic.
In response to the letter sent to Senate HELP Committee leadership, Sen. Suzanne Collins (R-ME) submitted a request for questions to ask during the confirmation hearing of Delphin-Rittmon. APA responded, recommending questions related to Delphin-Rittmon’s views on incorporating population health into her work, focus on health disparities and promoting equity, ensuring that cultural competency is addressed in all aspects of programming related to recovery-oriented care, and more. APA’s chief advocacy officer also provided the nominee with resources to prepare her for questioning during her confirmation hearing.
For more information, contact Aaron Bishop.