DeLauro Statement on Trump HHS Nominee Alex Azar

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 13, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement in response to President Trump's nomination of Alex Azar to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. DeLauro is the Senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

"President Trump's nomination of Alex Azar to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services follows a disturbing pattern of filling top positions with people who want to undermine the Affordable Care Act. While at least Mr. Azar has worked at the Department before, he is a known opponent of the Affordable Care Act. If confirmed, Mr. Azar would have broad discretion to continue the Trump administration's efforts to undermine the ACA—and I have no reason to believe he would do otherwise."

"Just as concerning is Mr. Azar's background as a pharmaceutical company executive. President Trump campaigned on a promise to lower drug prices for Americans, yet Mr. Azar has publicly stated that he did not foresee any progress on that front. Ever-increasing drug prices are squeezing Americans' budgets—especially those of our nation's seniors. The American people deserve an HHS Secretary that will look out for their health and well-being, not profits of pharmaceutical companies."