A bipartisan group of members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee demanded in a letter that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius provide requested data to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). This information is necessary to respond to a Congressional oversight request made to GAO about HHS programs.
Senators Susan Collins, Tom Coburn, and Claire McCaskill have learned that HHS denied GAO access to information submitted by the states to the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH). GAO has broad legal authority that entitles it to agency information and data unless expressly prohibited. NDNH's statute does not expressly exclude GAO from accessing this information.
HHS maintains the database which is supplied with information from the states. Not only did the Department refuse to comply with Congress' request through GAO, but in April 2010, HHS actually demanded others follow its example by sending an email to the states directing them to deny GAO access to the data. The email directive went on to say that HHS would not pay for "any work expense incurred to respond to GAO's request." The email message was resent in December 2010.
"I am stunned that HHS appears to be thumbing its nose at Congressional oversight and GAO's legitimate investigations," said Senator Collins, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "This Administration pledged transparency and I strongly urge HHS to live up to this promise by complying, and demanding that states comply, with GAO's investigation."
"It is highly inappropriate for HHS to obstruct a congressional investigation. The American people have a right to know how the government is spending their money without having bureaucrats play a game of hide the ball," Dr. Coburn said.
Senator McCaskill said, "The GAO is the federal government watchdog that we rely on to keep an auditor's eye out for taxpayer dollars. No agency should be allowed to stonewall GAO investigations like this. There's no excuse for being anything other than forthcoming when it comes to Congressional oversight."
The Senators' letter to Secretary Sebelius and the email are
linked here.