White House Tightens HHS Control with Strategic Personnel Shakeup
The White House is taking significant steps to tighten its control over the Health and Human Services Department (HHS). This move comes as the administration gears up for the upcoming midterm elections. An official from the administration has informed that a personnel shakeup is underway to restructure key roles within HHS.
Overview of the HHS Restructuring
The planned changes will affect the senior ranks of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Four new senior counselors will be appointed to oversee the department’s daily operations and enhance communications with other federal entities.
Key Personnel Appointments
- Chris Klomp: Currently heads Medicare and serves as a senior adviser at HHS. He will become chief counselor and effectively the chief of staff.
- John Brooks: The current deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, appointed as a senior counselor focusing on CMS-related issues.
- Grace Graham and Kyle Diamantas: Two senior officials from the US Food and Drug Administration, taking on senior counselor positions managing FDA-related issues at HHS.
- Matt Buckham: Moving from HHS chief of staff to a senior counselor role.
The changes were confirmed by HHS, emphasizing that these new roles would help accelerate the department’s agenda while maintaining the individuals’ previous responsibilities. Secretary Kennedy expressed pride in promoting experienced leaders to his team, stating that these individuals will help to “Make America Health Again.”
Midterm Election Preparations
As the midterm elections approach, the White House is focusing on key health policies that President Donald Trump considers critical to his domestic objectives. One major initiative includes “most favored nation” drug pricing agreements, which Klomp prominently negotiated. There are also plans to promote healthier eating, appealing to a wider voter base.
Broader Health Care Legislation
The administration aims to advance legislation that would codify the most favored nation deals and reduce overall healthcare costs. Senior officials indicate that these efforts will require strengthened leadership within HHS.
Challenges Within HHS
Recent adjustments in personnel also aim to improve oversight on Kennedy. Previously, HHS faced internal challenges, including the ousting of Kennedy’s first chief of staff, Heather Flick Melanson. Furthermore, the controversial firing and subsequent rehiring of FDA official Dr. Vinay Prasad highlighted struggles within the department to maintain coordinated efforts.
In addition to these personnel issues, Kennedy is pushing for a major overhaul of the country’s vaccine system. This initiative, while essential to his agenda, has raised concerns among Republicans regarding its impact on the party’s political standing ahead of the elections. As these strategic shifts unfold, the focus remains on enhancing HHS’s effectiveness and responsiveness.
