HHS committee hears three advisory appointments; appointees stress rural workforce and long‑term care needs

Sen. Brian Harden, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, presided over appointment hearings that included a Zoom presentation by David Owens and in‑person appearances by two rural health nominees.

David Owens, a professor of dermatology, pathology and cell biology at Columbia University, told the committee he has served two three‑year terms on Nebraska’s Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee and supports seed grants that “leverage stem cell biology in downstream therapeutic applications.” Owens said he lives in Connecticut but has been a committee member for six years and cited the value of flexible, early funding for young investigators.

Jim Ulrich, CEO of York General (York, Neb.), described 38 years in health care and a background that began as a CPA and included work auditing rural hospitals. Ulrich said workforce is the biggest challenge for rural facilities: “Just having those talented professionals that we can recruit is key,” he said, and urged protection of programs such as loan‑repayment and rural provider incentive funds.

Tracy Zamora, administrator at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk, testified she has worked in senior care for more than three decades and highlighted RN staffing and recruitment concerns for long‑term care. She said her community’s facility has received consistent five‑star ratings from CMS and that maintaining funding to retain staff remains a priority.

The committee did not take a vote on the appointments during the hearing; each nominee answered questions from members and the panel recorded the testimony for the official hearing record. The committee moved on to scheduled bill hearings after the appointment segment.