Committee interviews Dr. Timothy Rehrig for reappointment to Board of Health and Welfare

Dr. Timothy Rehrig, nominated for reappointment to the State Board of Health and Welfare, told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Jan. 22 that his academic and board experience inform his work advising the department.

Nut Graf: Rehrig, a BYU–Idaho professor who said he has served on the board since 2018 and chaired it for about two years, described involvement with sensitive issues including pandemic-era policy and family-policy work at national and international forums. The committee heard testimony and will vote on his reappointment at its next meeting.

Rehrig told senators he represents District 7 on the health districts and that his academic work focuses on marriage and family studies, parent-child relationships and family policy. He described consulting and speaking engagements at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and said he has advised countries on how strong families can support several Sustainable Development Goals.

When asked whether an advisory board is necessary for the Department of Health and Welfare, Rehrig said he believes the board is necessary and helpful "just so long as it's clear that this board is in a very unique capacity" between advisory and decision-making roles. He said the board had sought counsel from the board's assigned attorney and had worked to clarify roles for newer members.

Rehrig also reflected on lessons from the COVID-19 period, saying he observed increased polarization and urged decision-makers to consider nuance and evidence. "If we really want to make informed decisions, we need to hear all perspectives on it," he told the committee.

Action: No final committee vote was taken at the interview; the chair said the reappointment would be voted on at the committee’s next meeting.

Ending: The committee thanked Rehrig for his testimony; a committee vote is pending.