Arrieta and his team have been under enormous pressure inside and outside the administration after HHS ordered hospitals in July to circumvent the CDC while reporting certain coronavirus data.
The transition has been the focus of congressional media reports and probes, with Democrats claiming the Trump administration is seeking to conceal information, including data on coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, of the public. Meanwhile, Arrieta’s bureau advised to implement the new system amid scrutiny, and watchdog groups have complained that the move away from the CDC has raised new concerns about inconsistent data.
Arrieta, a career officer, told reporters that the transition was an attempt to improve coronavirus reporting data and insisted the data would remain public. He also confided to colleagues that he was surprised by the political spotlight on what he believed would be called a technical upgrade.
HHS Protect is at a “point where it is fully functional and only some minor technical issues need to be addressed,” Arrieta told Federal News Network. “We have been transparent with data and boundaries pushed. The leadership in technology is ready to lead us through this fall.”
He added that he planned to spend more time with his children.
“He’s just exhausted by everything,” said an HHS official working with Arrieta.
A former colleague praised Arrieta’s efforts at HHS.
“José is one of the most dynamic and innovative leaders in government,” said Brett Bruen, who served as director of the White House in the global administration during the Obama administration, where he worked with former officials Arrieta. “His loss will be felt deeply not only by HHS, but the very interagency, because he was groundbreaking use of new technology in these and previous positions that drove the public sector to work more efficiently and effectively.”
HHS and Arrieta did not return POLITICO’s requests for comment.
