Trump’s Health Nominees Advance from Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) voted on Thursday to advance two of President Trump’s health nominees to the full Senate. The nominees are Erica Schwartz for the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sean Kaufman for the administrator of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

The committee voted 12-10 in favor of Schwartz’s nomination and 12-11 for Kaufman. The decision was delayed by a week due to attendance issues. HELP Chair Bill Cassidy emphasized the importance of leadership in agencies like the CDC and ASPR to address public health challenges in the U.S.

During Kaufman’s confirmation hearing, Cassidy expressed concerns about Kaufman’s previous critical comments on hepatitis B vaccine birth doses. Cassidy, while supporting Kaufman, indicated Kaufman had acknowledged his past remarks. Cassidy assured that if confirmed, Kaufman would not be involved in vaccine policy or be a decision-maker on certain issues like mRNA due to his past statements.

“Mr. Kaufman has said some irresponsible things regarding immunization. He has owned up to that in his conversations with me,” Cassidy commented.

Ranking committee member Bernie Sanders shared that although he was impressed with Schwartz, he would not support her nomination. Sanders argued that Schwartz might not challenge the Secretary of Health and Human Services when required. Sanders questioned the nominees’ willingness to stand against conspiracy theories.

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter. Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi highlight key events affecting healthcare in Washington.

Essential Reads

Recent policy changes impacting healthcare:

• Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, mentioned Dr. Anthony Fauci’s use of the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing.
• Deborah Birx addressed ongoing frustration over the government’s COVID-19 response post-Fauci’s Senate hearing, highlighting unanswered questions.
• U.S. health officials are investigating cyclospora outbreaks with unidentified sources, linked to tainted produce.

Other News

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a cooking show focusing on healthy, affordable meals. Kennedy aims to promote real food in American diets.

Around the Nation

Updates from local and state healthcare news:

• Warnings of a measles outbreak in Montgomery County, Texas.
• A Louisiana abortion drug law that may increase hemorrhage risk for pregnant patients.
• New Mexico officials report positive enrollment trends contrary to national Obamacare trends.

What We’re Reading

Highlighted health news:

• Confusion among chronically ill individuals regarding new Medicaid work rules.
• Commitments from health leaders to support behavioral health.
• Legal challenges for drugmakers and retailers over decongestant false advertising claims.

You’re updated. Until next time!