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Violation of the 210-day Limit Imposed by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998--Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

B-326794 Nov 25, 2015
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Highlights

Pursuant to section 3349(b) of title 5 of the United States Code, we are reporting a violation of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (herein "the Vacancies Reform Act" or "the Act") at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with respect to the Assistant Secretary for Health position. The Assistant Secretary for Health is a Presidential appointment subject to Senate confirmation, and thus is subject to the Vacancies Reform Act. 5 U.S.C. 3345(a). Specifically, we are reporting that the service of Dr. Karen Bollinger DeSalvo as Acting Assistant Secretary for Health from February 28, 2015, until March 26, 2015, was in violation of the Act. As there is no current violation, we believe no further action on this issue is necessary at this time. Nonetheless, we will continue to monitor this vacancy until the position is filled.

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