Senate Rules, Resolutions & Memorials

I prayed about it and you know I've had an opportunity to speak with Dr Romero. My objections to to the confirmation of doctor Romero center around not only. Okay. But. My objections have to do with several things and number one I think it's very apparent to many of the decisions over the last years is related to some of the restrictions have been placed on I had many many calls from around the state some in my district and some outside of my district which complained about the treatment that they had under the leadership of Dr Romero. and. Even though we would bring things to his attention he never seem to to take the time for his staff to take the time to listen closely to what the objections were. It was only frankly when I called on governor Aissa Hutchinson did it did anything ever happen related to that one of the most key is pastor Fort Smith Arkansas they were hassled continuously about singing in the church and I do think governor Hutchinson for finally stepping up to say that this is out of line. And he innovate. And that's the only thing it turn that situation around. In addition to that I don't feel that his temperament is good for the position. I have no confidence in his leadership because we've I've been down here for a decade. Dealt with many leaders in many people that we may disagree more often than not on policy issues. But never have I had the experience that I have a doctor tomorrow. It was totally different indoctrinate Smith you had the position who did wonderful in that position I felt like it some people here disagree with some of his decisions as well but not the Naismith was always the kind of person that you can sit down and talk with about that. It's so I'd just not appreciated it it's definitely I guess when you had Dr Nick Smith and his style of leadership I have appreciated leave the lack of leadership that I've seen there the other thing is that as was reported in the paper. And. We're not gonna have time in this committee but I've got a lot information that's been sent to me over the past several months that are issues that needed to have been spoken to. About decisions that were being made. I object to the fact that. Dr Sander young at the Conway human development center. She actually reached out to Dr Romero who by the way was the medical consultant and I think they even calling the director for the Conway human development centers the titles wrong somebody can correct that but he is the camp was the consultant for them. So Dr young many of you heard her testify in our committees she reached out to say she wanted to help trying to save lives in the Conway human development center. Which she reached out and put that in writing to Dr Romero with the Department of Health. In asking if the time as you recall that this is been an ongoing issue with the pandemic she was seeking support for trying to you something there was nothing at the time except hydroxy court when by the way however Mactan had not come on the scene. You saying what can we use. And he wrote back to her said that you're not going to be allowed to treat those patients now she's a doctor she's a physician. And then he testified in our committee under oath by the way. That she could not use Hydroxychloroquine he had just stated and testified in our committee that he had never told a physician or pharmacist that they could not use Hydroxycut or. When she presented in an email to us that was provided by the bureau of legislative research it is in writing from him and I even gave them an opportunity in committee and I wish she was here today. So that he could respond again but you could go watch it on the tape in the committee I ask him about the email thinking perhaps that he would say I'm sorry I forgot if I misstate the might do something he he absolutely refused to be accountable at all for the interaction. You had a physician quit in the middle of a pandemic because she was so concerned about the fact that she was being told that she couldn't take actions to save the lives of people at that time in that clinic. And I think that's a problem the other thing is that I address multiple times and I address this with the governor that I'm being get I'm getting calls and I know some of you did patients that would call and say that my doctor prescribed me medication and the pharmacist will not release it to me. And I said where is the root of all this and they said it is the information that the department of health has posted. About the use of other medications. And so I think that's bad. I don't want to be too harsh. But are there some people in Arkansas that might be alive today had they not put out a directive that was keeping people from getting help from their doctors. I don't know but that's a fair question to ask especially when some of those doctors have told me personally individually that they were saying people that we're improving when they were utilizing and I don't wanna say there's people here at this table that will tell you that they improved because of use of medication that doctor Romero says was not effective it would not be useful. The other thing is is that many of us don't really know he chairs a committee at the CDC. And he's absolutely got a direct connection to doctor found G. and all of that. I just it just bothers me. We should have had a working relationship with the department of health rather than feel like an adversarial relationship and natural. I went through this myself I don't wanna tell a story on I went through it myself I lost a grandfather during this pandemic in. Four people died. But when you got a department of health issues refusing to listen and you've got doctors and pharmacists all of the state that were complaining about the directive they put out which by the way I'll think governor Hutchinson on that again it wasn't until I got that governor Hutchinson to listen. That they went back and made an attempt. To try to clarify their position and he spoke from one of his public announcements not saying Dr Romero spoke to say okay we're not tell anybody they can't do this what what about all those months beforehand the other thing that I take objection to and there's information obtained through four yet to be able to talk about this and I believe it was doctor Smith that was in charge at that time but Dr Romero was part of the discussions. There was a discussion internally that there was a dentist here in Pulaski County who in the early days of the pandemic simply put out information on his public social media that said we don't know exactly what to do for you right now but here's some information that may help you. And they literally had a conversation in their emails that somebody needs to complain file a complaint if the medical board and the dental board because that man simply shared information on these on social media Page about some of the options that were being discussed I just feel that's and that's was unnecessary and unfair. And again had not to remember Coleman said you know what we made some mistakes and we're all we're under pressure trying to get things done that would have meant a lot to me he could come and said that here today. But when somebody is obstinate. And refuses to be accountable. And refuses to accept that yes maybe some mistakes were made I've got a problem knowing. That that is the person in charge of the entire health department and everything that falls under the authority of the secretary of health. And if I had a conflict of interest in any of this I would definitely develops that to anyone it wouldn't even be speaking on this it wouldn't vote on this if I had a connection with with that department that I felt was a conflict but I don't. But I'm telling you that that that absolutely is a problem for me with doctor Romero and so that therefore I will be voting form everyone votes their conscience if you vote your conscience that's fine but I absolutely and am not going to be able to vote for confirmation that's all I have to say. Thank you Senator Rapert is Senator Garner you're recognized to speak on this. Thank you Mr chairman. At a host of questions I want to ask Dr Merrill I think are important state. Such as well my brother is mentally and physically disabled at DHS facility because a department health. Can't stay overnight. For yes be courting again for seven days even know he's both had COVID and backs and. Or ask why Arkansas is woefully inadequate faxing distribution parable to other states. I want to ask if we have another pandemic in the future. What we the roll the legislator with the Department help would come to us and ask for approval before we do another mass mandate for do any kind other regulation that severely changes our way of life. And if you to answer those questions adequately. Honestly. I'm a check before yes I was truly undecided FOR walked in day. Then I sit down this year. What I sit in this chair. Because the man who should have been sit in this chair didn't show. Forget the Department health forget all that think about what your role is as senator. And what the president you're setting today. This is a man who's a bureaucrat by nature. Pardon pointed by one man the governor to do our job is accountable to no one but the governor into the men and women in this room. We are effectively his only check and balance for the whole state of Arkansas. He should have shown up and have the respect to come here and answer a few simple questions about the job he's asking us to give him that's the reality we don't confirm him he no longer has to keep the job at the federal level this happens routinely were members coming from the Congress or the Senate confirmed. If you set the precedent today. The Department hand could blow us all. Not be held accountable not sure what from whom we ask not sit here and ask tough questions not do that come to ask for the job we ask he wants to do. It tomorrow we have a different governor whoever that may be a different apartment health head. And they start pushing things like. Transgenderism the Department of. Some issue we can fight over legislatively they start changing vaccinations across the board what I kids have to take. One day there be issue you care about that one of these department heads what do and because you didn't stand up to date not vote against him because qualifications or you don't think you can do the job but do it because he didn't show up to show you the respect you deserve. The one I have is tomorrow or in the future. We will have a leg to stand on. Stand up for the institution. And the power and our job is Senator. Today that's what we don't know thank you for divorce right let me see if Mr. Thank you senator garner anybody else have anything they'd like to share. Senator Bledsoe you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman first of all I want to say I don't feel like I have a conflict of interest. And works in a department at the health department but to many times your past and cross and he certainly hasn't influenced me I just happen to know. The best the doctor. And it really bothers me. That we would be so prideful in so arrogant that we would take it out on him for not showing up input if what could he do he we are. We have a chance to push back. In and it just it it it it grieves me that we would act this way in the as far as to. Dot two zero is in a new position he's never been head of the health department for he's not a politician he's trying to balance what the CDC says with with Arkansas C.. And that's hard and and I mean it takes a while to get used to to being what you are what you've been appointed to and and I think she has made some mistakes. But as a physician he would know that he could not over right eight eight eight eight. If the private physician one that has a patient on its own you wouldn't tell that physician I don't know what is happening in the conversation but he wouldn't say to that physician you can't you can't describe this what he has said in the past is that is not recommended. But he hasn't stopped these physicians from doing that that the the departments standard Wallace we don't recommend to. In so I think we have. Done a disservice to dot and I had kind of a list of the. Some of his qualifications his his he's internationally known. And he does sit on the I don't know let me see all right of. He does have a position on with the CDC but again he tries to balance all the. He doesn't micro manage of the physician's treatments of any disease but he's obligated to relate to anyone physicians including what the Arkansas directives and guidance is. The Arkansas Health is made mistakes we hear some. But they've been in good faith and what I want to say most of the ladies and gentleman that we absolutely need doctor. We needed to continue as the of his of the health department and and not to allow him to continue with the not only a travesty to him with the Arkansas into the into the people of. He he at like I said he has an impeccable for. History he he works very hard. he is well thought. Medical circles and all over the United States and like I said. Of an international reputation. And he needs to be able to perform is still in force not here I think that was problem is that the. I didn't want to calm I didn't allow him to come he works for the. And was appointed for the word for the state and so I just feel like. This is just not right to do this to this bill. And I'm just asking that you I don't know what it has to was that it has to happen but for him to leave would not be a good thing we we are we are really blessed to have that kind of me and you he's trustworthy he's honorable to my knowledge there's never been a fight against his reputation. And I just feel like that to. There has been some miscommunication and probably some mistakes but when you knew to like he has been going to the states have made a lot of the state. And I've been doing this if I live to. The end of the session it will be to decadence. And the. Have made a lot of the states that do this to good and and con man I don't see the Iranians. And I just I think it would be a terrible mistake Arkansas and I'm just asking you. Two please. Gets to the. Thank you senator Bledsoe agenda Senator Rapert you're recognized yes. Well I have written information to rebut the fact that he said that this being stated he never told anyone not to do anything. This is actually an email that was written June the twenty first twenty twenty from Jose Romero to Dr Sandra young copying Dr Nate Smith subject COVID nineteen cases it C. H. T. C. again I'm a committee where this is to be happy to put it on the floor on every single desk. And I read in total so that there's no taking out of context today dear Dr young thank you very much for taking the time to research this aspect of COVID nineteen care as you know the Arkansas department of health has updated its guidance regarding the use of hydroxy Clerk when the Clerk when. The New to newest guidance points out excuse me the newest guidance points out that the FDA has rescinded its a you a approval for these drugs and use therapy of COVID nineteen. That means that they had once approved it. They were treating people in the COVID nineteen unit by the way where I was and at in Conway Arkansas with hydroxy Clerk when previous to my admission and then they switch to room disappear which became the the alternative which which what I had. Well it may be argued that prophylaxis is not truly therapy prevention just trying to keep you from getting it is what is referred to eighty H. considers it to be within the same scope there for. Eighty H.. Cannot endorse. The use of this medication. For the use of therapy in COVID nineteen patients although the dose of hydroxy Clerk when for prophylaxis may be less than that used for therapy no clinical trials have been conducted to show that a lower dose is associated with fewer or no complications in patients with COVID nineteen who receive it I believe that the unit clinical trials with a combination of hydroxy Cork one in sync have been conducted and show efficacy. Comma I cannot recommend or endorse its use for patients and staff at the con way development center warmest regards Jose Romero. That's his own riding. And that was presented to him committee while it was under oath. Giving him an opportunity to clarify we all right emails maybe use words you could clarify that rather than do that he got upset and angry and continued to stone wall Dr young who was there in person that day to discuss it as well again you know what sometimes mistakes can be made but it cannot be said that the man never told anybody not to do that by the way that was followed up I spent at several and it says here since July the fourth twenty twenty. From Jose Romero to Nate Smith speaking of Dr young Nate Dr young is a physician at C. H. D. C. she's known to quote unquote be anti vaccine. So she is known to anti vaccine sentiments and other non mainstream ideas. Was he not tearing her down. She sent me an email about the Hydroxychloroquine zinc a few weeks back asking me to authorize and I replied a copy on you know the sad thing is that Dr Romero basically was turned down a whole swath of doctors in Arkansas who were out there saying that we are seeing patients helped. So. I'm sorry and I know it's always difficult to oppose someone. But you know what this isn't about me. Individually. It's about the fact that a doctor who had worked for probably over thirty years. I felt she had to quit because she was told based on the words that were sent to her I can't use medication to help trying to save these kids lives in here right now. She said I don't want to do it. So the other thing the last thing is on that is that on the same email this by the way. I was from a email this was a reply he had sent. When Dr young copied Jose Romero Nate Smith Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe it goes on through a whole list of doctors and people involved at the department of health and nobody came to her defense. So there you have it. Thank you Senator Rapert senator Bledsoe you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman. Apparently doctor says Dr Romero said he could not endorse it is that not the same thing is not recommended he didn't say don't do it he said he could not endorse it. And and to me that's the that's like saying I don't recommend. And he didn't say in that email that he you know. Thank you she couldn't do it he just said he does he could not endorse. Just like I said he he would say to people I can't recommend that did the health department doesn't recommend one of the things I got an email from the from Washington regional hospital and over and fail for the numbers of code that were very kind. And he endorsed committee just praised Dr Romero's leadership and getting him through getting them through the covid and it was a glowing record of what Dr Romero had done. In in helping them get through because and I'd be glad to share that it could some point. So I mean I just feel like there has been a lot of misunderstanding in a I think they've been some mistakes but I think If if there had been mistakes I believe it's because duck to remember a few at his job he's not a politician. And I would just ask that you consider that thank you. Thank you senator Bledsoe any other comments from the Committee. If it's not is there a motion your comment. I like to have the opportunity to comment okay hold on a second flowers of recognized senator urban and then we'll go to you thank you thank you. And I think. You know I'm I'm gonna speak on the I've I've had. There have been mistakes in there continue to be mistakes at the department of health. it does not I separate those out from this confirmation but I do think that it's important that we acknowledge. The mistakes that have happened in that currently still continue to happen. And it's a problem with me I'm gonna say that has nothing and and and I am very Dissatisfied with the Department of Health. And there's reasons why. And. One is we had facilities that and I think it's fair for you all this here this and say this because I've been dealing with this since last last summer. And I'm still going to vote to confirm. But I want to say this for all of you to know that. Last summer we had a pandemic we have medical facilities that said against what president Donald Trump he made an executive order to allow for ambulatory surgery centers and other medical facilities to become a temporary hospital facilities. Why we need to beds right we all needed need more hospital beds we need ICU beds we needed ventilators we needed all of those things in order to care for our COVID patients and for patients that could not get elective surgeries that it was a horrible situation for hospitals. So the federal government CMS said yes you can apply to become a hospital without walls program and temporary hospital facility. And the federal government said no matter whether the state says yes or no you can still do that but these folks said no we better go through the department of health and make sure that we can do that well the applications that on somebody's desk for two weeks. I mean it's it's it's ridiculous that somebody in our position has to blow up phones in order to get them to react to a situation that was important to me and to our citizens in the state of Arkansas. That continues because on Friday afternoon last Friday the just issued your temporary is automatically suspended. As a temporary hospital facility without no heads up without no warning without anything. And that was completely unfair to these people who stepped up I had to run legislation I'm having to follow another bill today because of it. These people stepped up to try to help become a temporary hospital under the federal hospital without walls program the federal government recognizes and CMS recognizes and CMS says you need to suspend your and relax your hospital rules and regulations to allow these people to step up and help us we need you across the country but here. You know someone just send them an email going to bad are you know we don't care if you have patients schedule next week we don't care how this messes you up we hope care and now here we are having to work through that situation and I'm just if it there is just a disconnect sometimes with what's happening in the real world and what with what we're dealing with with our patients or with our constituents and everything and I'm frustrated and I think I want to say that because it's been a frustrating situation so there has to be some level of real dialogue real engagement with the Senate and with the representatives and what the legislature. And I don't think that necessarily is all under Dr Romero but it's the department of health. And and and they have made mistakes but they continue to have to make mistakes in my opinion because I'm dealing with this from last week and I'm having a follow bill about it today. And it also affects hospitals who are trying to do at home care with patients under the relax federal guidelines to try to take care of patients so that they don't have to come in the hospital so they don't have to catch covid yada yada yada so. I'm frustrated and I think it's fair to be frustrated however that's not going to affect my decision about the vote on Dr Romero but I do want to say I'm frustrated and that's a fair thing And I hear the frustration I don't agree with actually what Senator Rapert is putting forward on that issue however it's his prerogative to bring it forward it has provocative and it's all of our programs free of Ford and I I think it's fair. A fair criticism that it's something that I think is separate from Dr Romero but it's something that he needs to understand he's the person at the head of the department of health and all the people that work under him our research he's responsible for them to and so the last thing we need is a bureaucratic nightmare when we're trying to solve problems for the people we represent. And I think that's a fair thing to say but again I am going to can vote to confirm him but I I wanted to say that because I'm frustrated because I continue to deal with these issues in these problems so thank you Mr chair. Thank you senator senator flowers you're recognized. Yes. Yes nomination by the governor I think the governor. Yes thought out and review these qualifications I think the circumstances that we're in now with this pandemic. has caused a lot of fluid situations beginning with The last year when we first realized that we were in a pandemic and having to figure out how to resolve the issue of so many people being sick. In this country in the world. I think it was a lot of unknowns I think we can all agree to that I think it wasn't helpful of that last. Administration of the city put forth beans that were not. Scientifically appropriate. And a lot of things for. Put on the table and then taking office that just got drunk C. Clore Quinn I think the doctor as a medical professional which I am not and I don't think anybody in the room is. Did the best he could under the circumstances It may be a bureaucrat but I think his main focus is that of a medical professional and we ought to respect that I think we ought also respect the governor's review of his qualifications and his appointment and nomination of doctor real. I think going forward we still have some ups and downs and blocks. Going through and trying to get out of this pain Inc. But I think he's the best person for the job. And I'm going to vote to confirm him as well. That's all I had. Thank you senator. Any further comments Senator Stubblefield you're recognized. Thank you Mr yeah thank you to a question about the the power and the authority of power I would say in and the money that's involved with big pharma all of this country you can go after senators or congressmen how big how big how much of a role that big pharma plays and in Washington the same they will all admit readily admit that they're very powerful lobbying group no questions. You what troubled me was during this whole period of two thousand twenty we heard doctors from all over the country. That were using therapeutic slot hi doctor Clark went in and dexamethasone along with vitamin E. and at some other things in and they were taken they were testifying they had great results with it especially those that we're using those therapeutics in the early stages of COVID and get it when I was in these committee meetings over a big mac it just saying and we we kept asking are you suppressing the use of the therapeutic we never could get a clear answer. Whether or not they were suppressing them not so I went home and I start talking some of my doctors whether they were nurse practitioners empties and pharmacist they'll tell me basically the same thing we were afraid to to prescribe these drugs based on the recommendations that were coming out the health department in Little Rock even though we knew that they could possibly help some of the cases that were in the early stages of covid. Now if that's not suppressing. The use of a therapeutic drug that has been around for sixty years with very few side effects almost less side effects than the drug AstraZeneca has put out the vaccine but now they're finding out that people are having blood clots from that this drug been around for sixty years. And they later we find out that other countries have been using giving out packs of ivermectin which I have used for fifty years on the farm. And they explain how the government and broke down the molecules of the coronavirus and actually killed. But none of that was ever brought to the forefront because all these other drugs that were that were recommended by our health department and the CDC. We're very very expensive drugs Senator Rapert knows that because they a bag of rent disappear is three thousand dollars. Versus a twenty dollar prescription of eye drops in Portland I'm not here to say Hydroxychloroquine can cure covid I don't know that. But it's not going to kill the patient it is certainly worth a try I would be willing to take it. I mean with history it's the history of safety within the drug itself I would certainly be willing to take it. It in I have to take out of make to now have been taking it for months. Months the same drug we use our cattle I put to see season a bottle of water drink it do I look like I've got don't have to that is. Your. No I'm I'm seriously there's something there's something fundamentally wrong it went wrong in two thousand twenty there's a breakdown somewhere between the CDC the whole departments all over the country and they could not get together and get a clear in a message to the public and I think a lot of it had to do with this. Because this always drives the conversation. Money has always been there. A big pharma has a lot of money. So that's that's my input and I I can't for that reason I cannot vote for. Any other members. I have anything they liked input. We're getting short on time is I would this point I would accept a motion if there was one that we would review this appointment forwarded on to the full body. I have a motion by Senator Hill. Second it discussion on okay second by Senator flowers discussion on the motion. I think this Hey on Senator flowers and center recognized for the following. Well. We made our case is the but I want discussion on the motion to be the last word or something that is out there that you can't be refuted. This is from this article September the first twenty twenty that was reported to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Quoting former part time doctor at the con way Human development center told state lawmakers Monday that she resigned in June because she didn't believe she could prescribe Hydroxychloroquine to the center's residents for COVID nineteen Dr center young of London said she made that judgment based on an email she received from now state department of health secretary Jose Romero. Romero said that while he didn't recommend or endorse the use of Hydroxycut work went to treat COVID nineteen he has it preventing young and other doctors from using the contentious medication that was his response when he was asked about that as they went through that they reported because I'm not going to read the whole article to you but you're all welcome to it it was quoted here. But young said it was her understanding that she was being advised by Romero not to use Hydroxychloroquine at the Conway human development centers she said she also talked with the Conway human development center superintendent Sarah Murphy who indicated we are controlled by the department of health and we have to follow what they say. Afterward with someone else quoted here said that Serra told Dr young that she would he we would excuse me that we should follow recommendations of the Arkansas department of health and the CDC and to consult with our consulting physician that was Dr Romero. Hydroxychloroquine was used at the Conway human development center once earlier in the public health emergency before CDC recommended against it use web set. Websit young and Murphy discussed young's frustration over feeling that she could prescribe the drug after talking with Serra at length share indicated that Dr young seem to feel somewhat better but said she still needed to resign to go ahead and take care of her husband who self health was failing last comments from the article young gave lawmakers a different reason for resigning on Monday. This is for a quote I felt that I could not stay there and watch people get sick and die when I knew I could prevent it or to watch the people that I work with the staff get sick and possibly die in not preventing she said she received the June twenty first email from Romero in subsection quickly decided to quit she said. Course my husband wanted me to quit anyway. So she he came up with another excuse but that Hydroxychloroquine issue was the main reason in quote Dr young said folks I'm not your questioning doctor Dr Romero's credentials his history his care for his own patients over the years but what I'm questioning is his judgment in the way he's handled an executive position. In the way that it's been handled and mishandled with the public. How many business owners that had their business is shut down while people the Department of Health never lifted a finger to keep those businesses open and all those churches when they let lows and Walmart and everybody else continue to have business for that friends look. Thank you for the people of Arkansas. That's I don't have anything against you personally I don't think he he's he's done well as communications. But words matter in our world. In that with that finished thank you senator flowers you're recognized thank you senator. Which. Go ahead I'm sorry with the microphone closer so they could hear you okay I'm simply saying I hope I hope that we can vote to move this nomination to the floor there's nothing that would. Stop debate. And Give this nomination an opportunity to be approved. So that at all ask that you call for the vote okay we have a motion and a second. For reviewing this appointment moving it to the full Senate body all those in favor say aye. All those opposed no no. We have a roll call. Unical rose STURCH hi. Five hours. All right. Our. Yes. Hi. Yes. Okay I count of seven to three The motion carries this appointment is reviewed moved to the full body the Senate during a visit to come before this committee today. So. Today. Well I think what is going to do it today while we have the opportunity waterbodies here's. any other business. Okay then we adjourned.