Former HHS Deputy Is Trump’s Nominee To Lead Agency

President Donald Trump nominated Alex Azar today as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Azar would fill the role vacated by Tom Price in late September, after revelations that Price took repeated trips on government and private jets that cost taxpayers more than $1 million.

The secretary nominee is no stranger to HHS. He worked in that department under former President George W. Bush, serving as HHS general counsel from 2001 to 2005 and then assuming the role of deputy secretary for the next two years.

Azar left the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly in January after working there for nearly a decade, most recently serving as the president of Lilly USA. He now runs a consulting firm.

The nominee must be confirmed by the Senate before he can take office.

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].