Senate Finance Backs Alex Azar HHS Nomination

Azar told committee members at a hearing last week that he supports the idea of letting states set their own health benefits mandates, including contraceptive benefits mandates.

He also said that he likes the idea of the U.S. Department of Labor proposal to let businesses join together to buy health coverage through multi-state association health plans. 

As HHS secretary, Azar would be in charge of managing Affordable Care Act requirements and programs.

He would also oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that runs Medicare. He would play a major role in regulating Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement insurance plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. He could also play a major role in shaping long-term care programs.

—Read Trump Health Nominee Faces Another Grilling on U.S. Drug Costs on ThinkAdvisor. 

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