WASHINGTON, DC (January 10, 2012) — Sister Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), issued the following statement.

The Catholic Health Association welcomes today's White House announcement that Cecilia Muñoz will now serve as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Ms. Muñoz brings to her new role of supervising the execution of domestic policy in the White House a wealth of experience in understanding the needs of families and immigrants. Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Muñoz has been a voice for people without one and has demonstrated a thoughtful, compassionate approach to public policy.

In her past three years as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, she has been a leader in addressing domestic policies as she has effectively collaborated with state and local governments.

She has been a friend of faith-based communities and civil rights groups, especially those representing Latinos. Her years of advocacy on behalf of the National Council of La Raza bring expertise to immigration policies as well as those of poverty, health, education, housing and farmwork issues.

CHA and our members look forward to working with Ms. Muñoz on areas of mutual interest, especially regarding health care, immigration and programs that assist middle class families and persons who are poor and vulnerable.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), founded in 1915, supports the Catholic health ministry’s commitment to improve the health status of communities and create quality and compassionate health care that works for everyone. The Catholic health ministry is the nation's largest group of not-for-profit health systems and facilities that, along with their sponsoring organizations, employ more than 750,000 women and men who deliver services combining advanced technology with the Catholic caring tradition.