February 10, 2020 via text, every answer is printed here as given by the former Secretary with edits indicated in brackets. The former Secretary was asked 7 questions in the order printed below.

About the former Secretary :

Vita served as HHS Secretary of Virtual Congress from January 19th, 2020 to February 10th, 2020. He is an Independent representing Puerto Rico.

---

You have resigned as Secretary of Health of Human Services today, citing fundamental disagreements with President Starro. Can you elaborate what factors influenced your decision?

Vita: Sure. I believe Starro’s primary defeat and the impending conclusion of his administration has caused him to behave rashly in a number of ways. As I stated in my official resignation announcement, recent episodes – including the confirmation of a SCOTUS Justice via a loophole in our server constitution, the eleventh hour enactment of several unconstitutional Executive Orders (renamed ‘Star Orders’ no less), and your abrupt firing as Chief of Staff – had convinced me that the President is not willing to engage in good faith with other members of the executive and legislative branches. The arbitrary and sometimes dismissive nature of his words and conduct in recent days has also made working with him intolerable, and I did not see a willingness on his part to rationalize his behavior as of late.

What had been your expectations for your position before you took office and how much were they fulfilled?

V: I was nominated by and took office under President CollinMatthew, who had proven himself to be a dignified Commander-in-Chief well-liked by both sides of aisle. Given the deference he gave to his fellow Cabinet members, I expected to have a relatively broad degree of freedom to send my own proposals to Congress while advising him on executive policies and server management. While my autonomy in that sense did increase as a member of Mr. Starro’s Cabinet, I did not feel as those he was adequately competent or active enough to take our duties seriously. I recall requesting that he sign my Girding Accessibility of Insurance Networks (G.A.I.N.) Act four times because he had not been online often enough to witness its passage and ended up signing bills that were passed after it. In that regard, I would say my expectations were dramatically less fulfilled in my time serving Mr. Starro these last couple of weeks.

Based on your experience, you have gathered further insight into the differences between President Starro and President CollinMatthew. Has your view of the highest political office on this server changed because of that insight?

V: Not exactly, no. I believe the Presidency – both on this server and more importantly IRL – should be respected for its collective powers and limitations, no matter the inclinations of its current occupant. By holding ourselves to the same high standard for every successive President regardless of their affiliations or ideology, we are better disposed to defend an ideal model of government in this country.

Do you have any plans of serving in another higher position or are you content serving as Congressman?

V: I would be honored to continue serving in the capacity of Secretary of Health and Human Services in [the] future and look forward to any opportunity that arises. I am not seeking higher office at this time, however, and am content at present with getting new reform packages through Congress.

Can you elaborate on what reforms you seek to propose?

V: My legislative priority at the moment is completing the third phase of the healthcare rollout that I originally intended to get passed while still HHS Secretary. The bill aims to stabilize state healthcare marketplaces and reform the ACA tax credit system, but the details are not yet finalized. I am also planning to draft an incentive bill for BHPs, a spending bill to advance the sustainability of Medicaid & Medicare, and a separate bill dealing with allowances on limited duration plans. I also have some ideas for Executive Orders that I may be able to recommend to the next President should I be reconfirmed and reinstated as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

As you discuss the next President, what are your hopes for the new administration?

V: Simply put, I hope healthcare remains a top priority on its agenda. We should not be afraid to be bold with reform.

Besides healthcare, what is your highest legislative priority?

V: Getting comprehensive reform on fossil fuel use/production and rapid incentivization of green energy growth in the name of combatting climate change is arguably my second highest legislative priority, and I’m glad to see such unanimous consensus on the issue in this server.

Anything you would like to say before the interview is finished?

V: I just want to thank both CollinMatthew and Starro for giving me the opportunity to serve as HHS Secretary; I trust their judgement, if not always their actions. I would also greatly appreciate such consideration for my former role by the current presidential candidates, and look forward to future opportunities to advance a comprehensively consumer choice-friendly, affordability-focused healthcare agenda. Thank you for doing this interview with me, McKenna. May America prosper.