Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decries Closure of CDC Ombuds Program

The editorial board of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution disagrees with decision to shutter the ombuds office at the Centers for Disease Control. The AJC acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns about morale at the agency, but said that Congress was "wrong to eliminate the office established to deal with it." The newspaper editors also speculated on what motivated the decision.

The agency's critics, including U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), said they did not believe the office was adequately addressing employee concerns.

More likely, Grassley and his colleagues are still angry that the temporary ombudsmen refused to brief him earlier in the year on what they are hearing from the CDC staff. The ombudsmen cited confidentiality concerns with what they thought Grassley was asking them to discuss. (AJC.)

Related posts: CDC to Make Ombuds Permanent; CDC Ombuds Become Focus of Sen. Grassley's Ire; Atlanta Journal-Constitution Proposes Solution for CDC Ombuds and Sen. Grassley; Congress Shuts Down CDC Ombuds Office.