HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. names Mark Cruz, a Klamath Nation member, as special adviser

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the appointment of Mark Cruz, a member of the Klamath Nation, as a special adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a recorded statement produced by the department.

Mark Cruz, introduced by the secretary during the recording, repeated an oath and said the role will include coordinating with other agencies to change policies affecting tribal health. "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States," Cruz said. He added, "Native Americans suffer more than any other population from the epidemic of chronic disease," and said part of his job "is gonna figure out all kinds of different ways that we can interact with the other agencies to change policies in order to provide the finest health care to . . . our Native American population."

The recorded announcement was brief and contained no date, formal swearing-in venue, or discussion of any external confirmation processes. The statement concluded with an acknowledgment that the recording was "Produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." No votes or formal approvals were recorded in the statement.

The appointment positions Cruz as an adviser focused on Native American health issues, according to the remarks in the recording. The recording did not specify the adviser’s official duties in writing, salary, reporting chain, whether the position requires any external confirmation, or an effective start date.