of the decision made for the second round of this funding and towards that end a-- senator capita kunz, myself and senator mansion have a bill called the targeted opioid funding act to change the funding to make clear what kind of priorities we should give to per capita death the states and i would love the committees attention and collaboration on the bill, but even if we fix this formula under the act, we know the money right now is only for two years and we know there's no quick fix for this epidemic. we desperately need funds to fight this epidemic. we need the administration to tell us what supplemental resources is proposing to turn the tide and i was appreciative of the doubt the white house in october when the presidents declared this a public health emergency, but so far we've not seen follow-up to the declaration we have seen no proposal from the administration for the funds we need to tackle this epidemic everywhere in our country, and epidemic not only taking lives, but in new hampshire cost us over $2 billion in our economy, so have you had conversations about the need for

senator kunz and i have introduced legislation to end that by taking it out of the calculation. i think that will expand access and exposure. would you help us with that? mr. azar: i would be happy to work with you looking at that. it is an issue i haven't focused on. i had not known of that concern before. sen. isakson: thank you very much. >> thank you, senator. senator franken. sen. franken: thank you, mr. chairman. congratulations on your nomination. i would like to ask a few short questions, yes or no. are you aware that the aca required health plans to cover evidence-based preventive health services free of charge? mr. azar: there's a provision -- those are part of the essential health benefits, if i understand the framework correctly. sen. franken: are you aware that hhs commissioned the institute of medicine and the independent nonpartisan organization of experts on health and medicine to review what preventive services are necessary for women's health and well-being? the institute of medicine recommended coverage for all fda approved birth control methods free of charge