The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a shakeup as two top health officials, Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart, are leaving their positions. This move is part of an effort to refocus HHS on politically popular aspects of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda in preparation for the upcoming midterm elections.
The changes at HHS come on the heels of four political appointees being elevated into more senior roles, signaling a shift in focus towards areas like drug pricing and food safety. These are seen as less divisive issues compared to the controversial changes to vaccine policy that Kennedy has been advocating for. Despite these changes, the White House denies any attempts to rein in the health secretary.
O’Neill, who had been serving as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since the firing of former director Susan Monarez, has been involved in various initiatives, including changes to vaccine policy and efforts to address alleged Medicaid fraud cases in states like Minnesota. Stuart played a key role in the department’s efforts to combat fraud in federal health care programs and was involved in investigations related to gender-affirming care.
Chris Klomp, a former health IT CEO, has been appointed as chief counselor at HHS, overseeing all operations of the department. Klomp, who also heads the Center for Medicare, has been instrumental in the department’s efforts to lower drug prices. Other staffing changes include naming senior counselors for the Food and Drug Administration and the appointment of John Brooks as senior counselor at CMS.
The CDC, on the other hand, has been facing uncertainty with only 28 days of having a director during the second Trump administration. Ralph Abraham, a physician and former surgeon general of Louisiana, was recently sworn in as principal deputy director of the agency. The White House may appoint Abraham or another Senate-confirmed official as acting director of the CDC, but limitations apply under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Overall, the changes at HHS and the CDC reflect a shift in focus towards less controversial health issues in the lead-up to the midterm elections. The department is aiming to showcase “good policy wins” over the past year while addressing key healthcare priorities. The future direction of these agencies will be closely watched as new leadership takes the helm.
