Seven Democratic Senators Buck Party Lines To Help Advance HHS Nominee Alex Azar

The Senate is poised to take up Alex Azar's nomination this week. Democrats have aired their concerns about the nominee's ties to the pharmaceutical industry, but it is likely that he'll easily secure the needed votes to take up the reins of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Hill: Senate Advances Trump's Health Secretary Nominee

The Senate on Tuesday advanced the nomination of Alex Azar to be secretary of Health and Human Services over a key hurdle by a 54-43 vote. Most Democrats voted against advancing Azar, but seven Democrats joined Republicans to move his nomination forward. A vote on final confirmation is expected to soon follow. Azar will replace Tom Price, who resigned in September after a firestorm surrounding his travel on private planes. (Sullivan, 1/23)

CQ: HHS Nominee Shares Views On Key Issues Ahead Of Vote

Alexander Azar, the Trump administration’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has told lawmakers his top priority would be addressing high prescription drug costs. But Azar, a former pharmaceutical company executive, is not offering any ideas beyond what the administration has already proposed, according to his answers to follow-up questions asked by senators after his confirmation hearings. With the Senate poised to take up Azar's nomination this week, several Democrats from the Finance and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees on Tuesday shared Azar’s replies to their questions. (Siddons and Clason, 1/23)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription