Special Report: The letter that launched federal ‘obscenity’ audits
The letter that launched federal obscenity’ audits
Thompson writes to Rep. Mark E. Souder
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The following letter, written by Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, was the Bush administration’s first step toward investigating all federally funded HIV prevention programs. Here’s a verbatim reprint of the letter, which AIDS Alert obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services, including bold-faced highlights that were included in the source:
The Secretary of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC
Nov. 14, 2001
The Honorable Mark E. Souder
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Souder:
On September 12, 2001, I provided you with an initial response to concerns you raised regarding a cooperative agreement issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At the time I advised you that I had asked our Office of Inspector General (OIG) to review this matter, and that I would provide you with the OIG’s findings once they became available. I am attaching the OIG’s report.
Among the OIG’s findings was that the activity under review ". . . did not fully comply with the cooperative agreement and other CDC guidance." The OIG also found that the CDC requirement for review of materials by a local review panel was not followed, and characterized some of the project activities as "inappropriate." You will also note that the OIG concluded that ". . . CDC funding was used to support all Project activities."
Although CDC has taken preliminary remedial actions in response to the OIG’s findings, including notifying all grantees about the need to adhere to all guidelines, I believe that more must be done to rectify problems identified. Consequently, I am taking a series of actions as follows. First, now that the preliminary OIG study is finished, I have asked the OIG to determine what additional measures associated with the violations they uncovered are permissible and appropriate. Second, as I mentioned in my earlier letter to you, at my request our Deputy Secretary, Claude Allen, will conduct an examination of all Department funded HIV/AIDS activities. As part of this review, I have asked the Deputy Secretary to assess the need for enhanced accountability and performance measures in these activities. Third, the OIG will conduct a more comprehensive review of CDC’s HIV/AIDS program activities focusing specifically on appropriate use of Federal funds, effectiveness of the programs, and whether program review panels are carrying out their duties as prescribed.
Once again, I want to thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and please call me if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Tommy Thompson
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