Senator Hassan Questions Trump Nominee on HHS Hiring and Fentanyl Policy

Fentanyl Crisis and Naloxone Funding

• 💡 Senator Hassan questioned Mr. O'Neal on the importance of first responders having access to Naloxone, an overdose reversal medication.
• 🎯 Mr. O'Neal publicly advocated for the approval and legalization of Naloxone for years and agreed that first responders need it readily available.
• ⚠️ Hassan raised concerns that President Trump proposed to eliminate a program that arms and trains first responders with Naloxone, urging O'Neal to advocate for reversing these cuts if confirmed.
• 📉 O'Neal acknowledged the critical need for federal partnership in funding Naloxone for first responders, especially as state budgets can be sparse.

Controversy Over HHS Employee David Geier

• 📌 Senator Hassan expressed deep concern over Secretary Kennedy's decision to hire David Geier, who was disciplined for practicing medicine without a license on children with autism.
• 🔬 Hassan submitted a Maryland state complaint detailing allegations of Geier injecting an 8-year-old with a testosterone suppressant as a treatment for autism.
• ❓ Hassan asked O'Neal if he would advise the secretary to fire David Geier, to which O'Neal responded that he had no communication with Geier and would rely on the secretary's judgment.
• 🗣️ Hassan urged O'Neal to look into Geier's record, stating he has no place at the country's premier health agency.

Concerns Regarding Secretary Kennedy's Actions on Autism and Caregiver Support

• 🧩 Hassan criticized Secretary Kennedy's comments about children with autism, suggesting he understands little about individuals with disabilities.
• 💔 Kennedy's administration has been accused of shutting down programs and firing staff who provide critical support for families with disabilities, such as firing staff who ran the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
• 📈 O'Neal stated that the secretary prioritizes autism research and that the causes and rise in autism are still unknown, but doing away with caregiving support will not help families.