Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., vowed Monday to vigorously oppose President Donald Trump’s nomination of a former pharmaceutical executive to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. But for the most part, hospitals and healthcare trade groups came out in support of Alex Azar.
Azar, who served as the head of Eli Lilly’s U.S. operations for five years until he stepped down from the position in January, previously served as deputy secretary of HHS under the George W. Bush administration. Most industry trade groups were pleased with Azar’s combination of work experience within the public and private sectors, plus his understanding of the inner workings of the federal agency.
