Cooper makes two appointments; says he’s working with GA leaders to ease confirmation

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper made two more appointments Friday and said he’s talking with legislative leaders in an effort to ease the confirmation process.

Cabinet appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, says a provision in the state constitution. Cooper has filed a lawsuit challenging that part of a law enacted in December by the General Assembly.

On Friday he tapped Dr. Mandy Cohen for secretary of health and human services and state Rep. Larry Hall for secretary of veterans and military affairs.

“We have been staying in constant contact with the leadership of both Republican and Democratic members in the House and the Senate,” Cooper said. “Before I make any appointments, I call all four of the leaders in both chambers to let them know who I am appointing and providing them information about them.”

Cooper said he also expected his appointees to visit legislators, especially legislative leaders, and answer their questions.

“As you know, the secretary of health and human services is frequently called to the General Assembly to talk about a myriad of issues,” Cooper said. “I think Dr. Cohen will excel in this type of arena. She will get the job done, and I feel good about it.”

Cooper said Cohen is a good manager and someone who understands health-care policy. “Clearly we’re going to be entering difficult times in the area of health care,” Cooper said.

Cohen is currently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) chief operating officer and chief of staff. She has held other posts at CMS and was executive director at Doctors for America. She has been deputy director at the Department of Veteran Affairs, and an internist at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center.

“I think that it is a positive that Dr. Cohen has experience where she has,” Cooper said. “Clearly we do not know what the future of health care will be, not only in North Carolina but in our country.

“We have a department that’s maybe one of the most difficult to manage in the state, and it will require significant skill to do that,” he said, adding that she gets positive reviews from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

Cohen said she was excited to be on the team to help implement Cooper’s health-care vision, including Medicaid expansion.

“I know how critical it is for folks to have access to affordable, high-quality health care,” Cohen said. She said she wants to help the state’s most vulnerable residents, including children, older adults, and those with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Hall, a Democratic state representative from Durham County, previously served as the chambers minority leader. He is also an attorney.

“He is a 16-year Marine and Marine reservist,” Cooper said of Hall. “He understands the importance of our military bases to the economy of North Carolina.”

“One of my great loves is the veteran population and the military population in North Carolina,” Hall said. “We have over 600,000 veterans and military in this state.”

Friday’s announcement leaves Cooper with three Cabinet posts to fill — natural and cultural resources, revenue, and information technology. His office said he would probably fill those posts next week.