Pelosi Statement on Reported Closure of HHS Regional Office in San Francisco

Washington D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the Trump Administration’s reported decision to close the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region 9 Office in San Francisco:

“The HHS Region 9 office in San Francisco directly serves the needs of millions of Americans in the Bay Area, the state of California and beyond. By closing our regional office, the Trump Administration would choose to put the health and safety of Bay Area residents and all Californians in jeopardy, gut vital public health initiatives like the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and potentially axe hundreds of career civil servant jobs held by hardworking Californians.

“This shortsighted office closure would lead to critical service slowdowns for San Franciscans to get the resources they need and detrimental impacts to our public health response capabilities – all in the name of so-called ‘government efficiency.’  It is notable that this reported decision was made by the Trump Administration’s leading vaccine denialist, Secretary Kennedy, whose extreme views on public health are out of step with the vast majority of the American people.  

“Make no mistake: the reported plans to restructure HHS and close the San Francisco regional office would directly harm our most vulnerable communities and make America sicker.  In coordination with my colleagues in the Congress, I am examining all possible avenues to fight back against these irresponsible cuts – and I strongly urge the Administration to reconsider its plans to devalue the public health of our constituents.”