Confirmation hearing for Trump’s health secretary pick scheduled for next week

President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will face his confirmation hearing next week, Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) announced Tuesday. 

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Alex Azar, a former HHS official and pharmaceutical executive, will go before the Finance Committee 10 a.m. Jan. 9.

“Mr. Azar has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and that he will tackle the challenges facing the American healthcare system head-on,” Hatch said in a statement. 

“Next week’s hearing will give Finance Committee members a firsthand opportunity to hear from Mr. Azar about his plans to help mitigate Obamacare’s corrosive effects, while ensuring Medicare and Medicaid are strengthened and maintained. This hearing is an important step in advancing a fair and transparent vetting of this nominee.”    

If confirmed by the full Senate, Azar would replace Tom Price, who resigned from HHS’s top post in September after reports revealed he took multiple trips on government and private jets that cost taxpayers more than $1 million.