Rep. Harris Requests HHS Inspector General Review Montgomery County Health Department Actions

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, M.D., requesting an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) review of the recent decision making by the Montgomery County Health Department. Recently, Dr. Travis Gayles twice attempted to unilaterally close all schools in Montgomery County, including private and parochial schools, despite the county’s steady reduction in COVID-19 positivity (2.54% as of August 5th) and hospitalizations. Dr. Gayles’ actions have drawn rebuke from Governor Hogan, who has moved to rescind the Health Department’s authority to close schools through executive action. A copy of the letter is attached.

Congressman Harris made the following statement:

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and specifically the subcommittee that funds all federal health efforts, I have grave concerns that the actions taken by Dr. Gayles may be political in nature and not be in the best interests of Maryland’s children. Millions of federal tax dollars have been sent to Maryland, which are being subsequently distributed to local agencies such as the Montgomery County Health Department. Given the steady decline in COVID-19 case positivity and health system stress in Montgomery County, I feel these repeated actions to effectively subvert a school’s authority to open while following CDC guidelines are merely an attempt to further a campaign against private primary and secondary education, especially in parochial schools. As such, the CDC or appropriate authority within the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General should investigate whether these actions are an abuse of authority and misuse of federal tax dollars.”