October 1, 2010
The Commissioned Officers Association of the US PHS (COA) notes the Surgeon General’s update dated September 30th. The Surgeon General’s correspondence to the Commissioned Corps has generated much interest and many inquiries directed to national COA headquarters.
COA acknowledges the Surgeon General’s words on behalf of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Deputy Secretary Bill Corr stating their support for, and commitment to, the Commissioned Corps.
The Association is encouraged to learn that Deputy Secretary Corr’s has assumed personal leadership for the Corps’ transformation and ensuring the implementation of the Affordable Care Law (PL 111-148) provisions that pertain to the Commissioned Corps.
COA and all PHS Commissioned Corps officers look forward with great anticipation to seeing these assurances become actions in the very near future. Specifically:
– Immediate lifting of the “pause” in new calls-to-duty as Commissioned Corps officers.
– Implementation of the Ready Reserve Component including provisions to reinstate the Inactive Reserve or replace it with an Individual Ready Reserve component within the overall context of a Ready Reserve. Obtain funding for a Ready Reserve as necessary in the FY 2011 appropriations process.
– As directed in the Affordable Care Law, immediately transfer funds from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to OSG to begin implementation of the Public Health Science Track.
– Realign OCCFM and appropriate sections of OCCSS under the Office and authority of the Surgeon General.
– Take the necessary steps to ensure that the 450+ officers commissioned into the new Ready Reserve since March 23rd under the special Presidential authority are fully eligible for promotions in the upcoming promotion cycle.
The COA Board of Directors has been working tirelessly on behalf of our members to assist DHHS throughout this six-month process:
o Providing an alternate means to assist DHHS in communicating the status of these issues to Corps officers;
o Helping to provide factual information, dispel rumors and address the growing concerns of officers throughout the Corps; as well as candidates for commissions in the Corps affected by the “pause”;
o Building support on Capitol Hill and elsewhere for the Corps;
o Providing our own independent management review to assist in that process.
Along with the Surgeon General, COA is also committed to fully transparent administration and management processes for the Corps. In that spirit, we urge the immediate and full release of the OMB tasked management review to Corps officers in the interest of their professional development and open and good communication.
We again offer COA’s full and enthusiastic support and continued cooperation with OSG and DHHS in moving the Corps forward as provided for, and in full accordance with both the letter and the intent of all provisions in the Affordable Care Law.
The COA Board takes this opportunity to remind our members to remain steadfast to our oath of office throughout this time of transition. Our energies should be focused, as we know they are, on our daily duties and responsibilities as commissioned officers and on the patients and programs for which we are responsible. We are the manifestation of the transformed Corps.
In the words of Rear Admiral David Rutstein, “your spirit of service must remain constant…Your unity of purpose and commitment to the public trust will enable you to overcome any ephemeral difficulties this transition may impose.”
COA and our affiliated Foundation are organizing a retirement ceremony and farewell reception in honor of RADM Rutstein. A date and venue will be announced shortly followed by invitations. Individuals wishing to contribute financially to support this event are encouraged to do so. To date, we have collected $4,000 to support this well deserved recognition for RADM Rutstein’s long and distinguished service to the Corps and the nation’s public health. Contributions may made by check payable to the COF annotated “RADM Rutstein retirement.” Other donations may be made by contacting the COF office at 301-731-9080.