President nominates former department official for HHS Secretary

President Trump has selected Alex Azar to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Azar previously served as HHS deputy secretary and chief counsel during the George W. Bush administration and then as president of the pharmaceutical company Lilly USA. Azar’s nomination must be approved by the Senate. If confirmed, Azar would succeed former HHS Secretary Tom Price, who resigned in Sept. Eric Hargan, who previously served as HHS deputy general counsel, has been serving as acting secretary.