Hobbs’ 3rd pick to lead Arizona Department of Health Services preliminarily approved by lawmakers

State legislators gave preliminary approval to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ pick to lead the Arizona Department of Health Services — her third nominee for the post in four years.

Hobbs’ nominees to lead state agencies must be approved by the Republican-controlled state Senate.

Debbie Johnston is the latest in a string of people Hobbs has tried to shepherd through the chamber. The governor’s first pick, Theresa Cullen, stepped down in 2023 after being grilled in a Senate committee hearing, where Republicans criticized her response to the COVID-19 pandemic when she served as health director in Pima County. Hobbs’ next choice, Jennie Cunico, resigned before facing the same Senate committee.

On Thursday, Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) grilled Johnston on COVID-19 and pushed her to state that the state’s response was overzealous and mishandled.

“I think what we need to do is have a better understanding of how to, you know, how to talk to folks about infection control, and not force folks to do things that they’re going to resent. I mean because those government mandates do breed resentment,” Johnston said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights is investigating the state Department of Health Services following claims by a Christian organization that DHS pushed providers to perform services that go against certain beliefs.

The Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative nonprofit, filed the complaint last year.

Hoffman also pressed Johnston on that matter, which she said she hasn’t been involved in.

Despite Hoffman’s opposition, all other senators on the committee — Republicans and Democrats — pushed her nomination through in a near-unanimous vote. She still must be confirmed by a vote of the full Senate.

Lawmakers are at the end of the legislative session — the last of Hobbs’ four-year term as governor. According to state law, nominees can’t serve for more than a year without Senate confirmation.

Several of the governor’s nominees have been rejected, or not considered by the Senate at all.

Arizona OEO nominee no-shows

At the same Thursday committee hearing, lawmakers rejected Hobbs’ pick to lead the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

Mary Foote, the OEO interim director, didn’t even show up to the hearing.

Hoffman accused her of not respecting the Senate process and questioned why Foote didn’t disclose that she served on the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona Board of Directors.

By not telling lawmakers that she worked with it while listing her civic experience, Hoffman said Foote told a lie of omission.

“How are we to trust anything that comes out of your mouth thereafter?” Hoffman said.

DIFI director gets unanimous approval

Lawmakers also approved Charles Bassett, Hobbs’ nominee to lead the state Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

He fielded concerns from Hoffman about his history as a former vice president at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona — a health company that contracts with the state. Pamela Kehaly, a top executive at BCBS, is known to be friendly with Hobbs.

Bassett told lawmakers his previous employment is a none issue.

“I don't understand the concern because any regulation will take place as it has before. The director is not involved in the day to day details of insurance regulation,” Bassett said.

Bassett also said he’d recuse himself when necessary.

Ultimately, he passed the committee hearing with unanimous support.