January 13, 2022 Dear Director Walensky, The undersigned organizations write in response to your comments on Friday, January 7th, 2022. Together we represent millions of people with disabilities, patients, and people with chronic illnesses across the United States, and we are extremely concerned by your comments. People with disabilities and pre-existing conditions have been disproportionately killed by COVID-19. This is particularly true for those who live in congregate settings. Each of these deaths is a devastating loss to families, friends and to our broader communities. Your comments about the results of a research study referred to the fact that a disproportionate number of deaths due to COVID-19 occurred among "people who were unwell to begin with" as "encouraging news". Weunderstand you were speaking about a research study and that segments of your remarks were cut by ABC from the aired interview. Your full remarks were subsequently released, and our concerns remain. [...]