Trump nominates Azar as HHS secretary

Nov 13, 2017 - 11:08 AM

President Trump today nominated to serve as the next Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, former president of Lilly USA and deputy HHS secretary under the George W. Bush administration. “We welcome the nomination of Alex Azar to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “We are confident that his extensive background in business, health care and medicine distinguishes him as a uniquely qualified candidate for the vacancy. The expertise garnered from his career in the private sector and prior public service at HHS as Deputy Secretary will prove to be particularly valuable in addressing the serious challenges facing our nation's health care system today. We look forward to working side-by-side with him to achieve our mission of advancing the health of the patients and communities we are privileged to serve." Tom Price, M.D., resigned as HHS secretary on Sept. 29. Eric Hargan, who previously served on the president’s transition team and as HHS deputy general counsel, has been serving as acting secretary.

Related News Articles

Headline
KFF: Medicare spent 27% more for people who disenrolled from MA than those continuously in Traditional Medicare
An analysis by KFF released last week found that in 2022, Medicare spent 27% ($2,585) more, on average, for individuals covered by Traditional Medicare after…
Headline
Bipartisan letter calling for prevention of Medicaid DSH cuts gets signatures from 182 members of Congress
A House Dear Colleague letter calling on House leadership to address scheduled Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts received signatures from…
Headline
AHA responds to Medicare $2 Drug List Model request for information
The AHA Dec. 9 said it supports a potential Medicare $2 Drug List Model, where people enrolled in a Part D plan would have access to certain prescription drugs…
Headline
AHA supports physician reimbursement, alternative payment model incentives in comments to MedPAC
In comments Dec. 9 to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the AHA shared its views on physician fee schedule payments, advanced alternative payment model…
Headline
CMS announces two drug manufacturers to participate in CGT Access Model 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dec. 4 announced that drug manufacturers bluebird bio, inc. (manufacturer of Lyfgenia) and Vertex…
Headline
CMS releases proposed rule for 2026 Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 26 proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs for contract year 2026.…