Healthcare Leadership Council Applauds U.S. Senate Confirmation of Alex Azar to Serve as HHS Secretary

WASHINGTON – The nation’s new Secretary of Health and Human Services can be expected to pursue an agenda that will bring greater value to the nation’s healthcare system and advance improvements in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the president of the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) said today in applauding the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Alex Azar to head HHS.

“Secretary Azar is a strong proponent of transitioning our healthcare system to one that emphasizes value in the form of improved health outcomes delivered with greater cost-efficiency,” said Mary R. Grealy, president of HLC, an alliance of the nation’s leading healthcare companies from all health sectors. “We fully expect he will be a patient-focused Secretary who will emphasize quality, innovation and system sustainability.”

Secretary Azar is a former member of the Healthcare Leadership Council and served on the group’s Executive Committee.

Ms. Grealy said her organization was strongly supportive of the Azar nomination because his extensive executive experience in both the federal government and the private sector will enable him to be particularly effective in leading the largest and most complex civilian cabinet department.

“There is no question that Secretary Azar will be a conscientious steward of federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and will work to improve the quality of care provided to the millions of Americans who depend upon them,” she said.