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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Senate Confirmation Hearing for Alex Azar II

Original title: NOMINATION OF ALEX MICHAEL AZAR II

January 1, 2019

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The Frame

What this does

The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees a massive federal department responsible for national health policy, Medicare, and Medicaid, impacting the health-care access and costs for all Americans.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Alex Michael Azar II

The nominee's professional future and potential appointment as Secretary of HHS were the subject of the hearing.

U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

The committee members are responsible for reviewing and voting on the nomination.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing on January 9, 2018, to consider the nomination of Alex Michael Azar II for the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The hearing included opening statements from committee leadership and testimony regarding Mr. Azar's qualifications and experience in the health-care sector.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on January 9, 2018, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
  • The committee evaluated Alex Michael Azar II's nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • Mr. Azar previously served at HHS for approximately 6 years.
  • Mr. Azar's past experience includes roles in implementing Medicare Part D and the Medicare Advantage program.
  • Mr. Azar was involved in HHS responses to the anthrax attacks, SARS, monkeypox, and Hurricane Katrina.
  • The Secretary of HHS is responsible for overseeing trillions of dollars in federal spending and liabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Secretary of Health and Human Services?
The Secretary leads the Department of Health and Human Services, which manages national health-care systems, including Medicare and Medicaid, and oversees trillions of dollars in federal health spending.
What was the purpose of this specific hearing?
The Senate Finance Committee held this hearing to examine the qualifications and background of Alex Michael Azar II for his nomination as HHS Secretary.

Why It Matters

The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees a massive federal department responsible for national health policy, Medicare, and Medicaid, impacting the health-care access and costs for all Americans.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Historical HHS Crisis Management

The hearing highlights that the nominee's previous experience was heavily focused on emergency response (anthrax, SARS, Katrina) and Medicare implementation.

Connected Entities

personOrrin G. HatchChairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.Map →
personRon WydenU.S. Senator from Oregon, member of the Finance Committee.Map →
personTommy ThompsonFormer Secretary of Health and Human Services, witness.Map →
organizationDepartment of Health and Human ServicesThe federal department for which Mr. Azar was nominated.Map →
personMichael LeavittFormer Secretary of Health and Human Services, witness.Map →
personAlex Michael Azar IINominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment20
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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