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Dems Come Out Swinging During Azar Senate HELP Committee Hearing

During his first Senate confirmation hearing, top Democrats attacked Trump HHS secretary nominee Alex Azar for his ties to the pharmaceutical industry and support of right-wing ideology espoused by the White House.

Alex Azar, Trump’s HHS secretary nominee, who spoke at the Senate HELP committee 11/29/17
Alex Azar testified before the Senate HELP Committee Nov. 29. • Source: Ferdous Al-Faruque

President Trump's nominee to head the US Department of Health and Human Services underwent almost three hours of tough grilling from Democrats during a Senate committee hearing. While Republican Senators touted his past executive experience at HHS and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry practices as positives, Democrats raised concerns that he would be in the pocket of Big Pharma and sabotage the Affordable Care Act.

Alex Azar, a former Eli Lilly & Co. executive and HHS official, was grilled about his policy positions and work at the pharmaceutical giant during a confirmation hearing at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Nov. 29. With his wife and children sitting behind him, Azar was flanked by his former boss and former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. If confirmed by the Senate, Azar would replace former HHS Secretary Tom Price, who left after a scandal involving misappropriation of public funds

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