Senate Finance Committee holds hearing for HHS secretary nominee

Jan 09, 2018 - 02:56 PM

The Senate Finance Committee today held a hearing for Alex Azar, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Azar, former president of Lilly USA and deputy HHS secretary under the George W. Bush administration, faced a number of questions from senators about his ties to the pharmaceutical industry and how he would tackle high drug prices. If confirmed, Azar said he would focus his efforts on addressing the high cost of drugs; making health care more affordable, available and “tailored to what individuals want and need in their care”; harnessing “the power of Medicare to shift the focus in our health care system from paying for procedures and sickness to paying for health and outcomes”; and tackling “the scourge of the opioid epidemic.” Tom Price, M.D., resigned as HHS secretary last September. Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan has been serving as acting secretary.

Related News Articles

Headline
Behavioral health IT pilots to focus on data exchange
The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced the selection of nine pilots as…
Headline
Survey finds prior authorization viewed as greatest hurdle in navigating health care
A KFF survey published today found that people view prior authorization as the biggest challenge beyond costs when navigating the health care system. In terms…
Headline
Department of Labor releases proposed rule on transparency of PBM fee disclosures 
The Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule to improve transparency of fees collected by pharmacy benefit managers. The rule requires PBMs to disclose…
Headline
HHS OIG releases bulletin on direct-to-consumer drug sales, RFI on need for regulatory changes
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Jan. 27 released a bulletin addressing how direct-to-consumer drug programs can sell…
Headline
CMS announces drugs selected for third round of drug price negotiations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 27 announced 15 drugs under Medicare Parts D and B selected for the third round of price negotiations.…
Headline
Analysis: MA insurers made 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024
A KFF analysis released Jan. 28 found that Medicare Advantage insurers made nearly 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024, an increase…