Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Health and Human Services

2008-02-20Executive Order 13461
Signed by: George W. Bush
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Headline: Establishes Succession Order for Department of Health and Human Services

What it does: The order directs the listed officers to act as Secretary in the stated order if the Secretary dies, resigns, or cannot serve.

Real World Impact:
  • Determines who will lead the Department of Health and Human Services if Secretary cannot serve.
  • Bars officials serving in acting positions from becoming acting Secretary under this order.
  • Revokes an earlier Department of Health and Human Services succession order and a prior designation memorandum.
Topics: succession planning, department leadership, health services, federal government operations

Summary

This order establishes who will take over as acting Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services if the Secretary dies, resigns, or is unable to perform the job. It lists specific department officers in a set sequence to determine who steps in.

It also says officials already serving in temporary 'acting' roles cannot become acting Secretary under this order, allows the President to choose someone else when the law permits, and revokes an earlier Department of Health and Human Services succession order and a prior designation memorandum.

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