HE can be the health secretary or a practicing physician—but not both. This was the unsolicited advice of Gloria DLC. Cabrera, vice chairwoman of the House Health and Welfare Committee, to Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider whose personnel action reportedly has not been processed to make his salary commensurate to his position.
“As a secretary of health, Dr. Hofschneider now serves at the pleasure of the governor. However, his current full time employee status and salary are dictated by the statute and not by the governor. Given the shortage of physicians and our current economic woes, the most practical way to resolve this issue is for Dr. Hofschneider to decide under which position he wants to serve the people,” said Cabrera, in an interview last Friday.
Hofschneider was unavailable for comment.
Based on the payroll list from the Department of Finance, Hofschneider is receiving an annual salary of $140,073.44 which is the rate for his service as a physician. But based on section 513 of P.L. 9-25, the salary ceiling for a secretary of health should not exceed $80,000.
Cabrera said that if Hofschneider chooses to be the secretary of health, “his new personnel action should accurately reflect that title and the salary that is allowable under P.L. 9-25.”
Should he take the position of maintaining his current salary, Cabrera said Hofschneider “must give up his appointed position.”
