Senate Confirmation Hearing for Alex Azar - Open Payments to Remain Open

On January 9, 2018, the Senate Finance Committee held a nomination hearing for Alex Azar, President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Committee is expected to vote later this month on whether to send Mr. Azar’s nomination to the Senate floor. Throughout the hearing, Azar spoke of his past experience in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the George W. Bush Administration, as well as expertise he gained during his time in the private sector with pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Although Republican members thought his experience would lend itself to the position, Democrats held concerns that his ties to the pharmaceutical industry would affect his efforts to combat drug pricing and anti-competitive practices. Additionally, Democrat senators expressed alarm that he would potentially use the position to take aim at the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Azar assured the Committee he was committed to elevating the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs, and any reform would be focused on slowing growth. Opening Comments Chairman Orrin Hatch believes that Azar “has his work cut out for him,” bu thought the candidate’s experience and knowledge of the regulatory system would allow him to hit the ground running. He explained that Azar would be responsible for the ongoing effort to bring down costs, provide greater access, give patients more choices in coverage, and tackle the opioid crisis facing the natio...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs