Close the Loopholes in Whistleblower Protections

As spotlighted in today’s Washington Post, once these hardworking employees become whistleblowers no one wants them. They “reside in a whistleblower black hole.”

Just ask PHS whistleblower Paul T. Hardy. He blew the whistle on defective breast cancer devices and was fired for his role in helping to protect women’s health. When Hardy went to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) for help, they left him out in the cold.

PHS and NOAA employees play key roles in protecting our public health and in researching global warming. It is critical that these employees are free to do their jobs without fear of retaliation. Congress must immediately close these loopholes, and the Department of Health and Human Services must reinstate Hardy.