News Briefs: Health Care Trade Groups Voice Optimism as RFK Jr. Is Confirmed
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Feb 14, 2025
The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary on Feb. 13. The longtime vaccine critic was elevated to the high-profile health care office after assuaging the concerns of key Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee member Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.). Health care trade association reactions have been optimistic, with most indicating they are eager to work with Kennedy on various issues, such as PBM reform and population health. “Small business-owned pharmacies are disappearing, and pharmacy deserts are forming, because of the business practices of Big Insurance and their PBM subsidiaries, and we very much hope Kennedy and the Trump administration will support our effort to rein in these bad actors,” said National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Douglas Hoey. Said Association for Community Affiliated Plans CEO Margaret Murray: “Opportunities abound to bring improvements to our nation’s system for health coverage and care — many of which will require outside-the-box thinking. We look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy and his team to tackle the pressing issues of access to coverage and care, disease prevention, and public health improvement.” And Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America CEO Stephen J. Ubl said, “During his confirmation hearings, Secretary Kennedy discussed the need to reduce the burden of chronic disease, improve health outcomes and make health care more affordable for the American people. Our industry is eager to work with the Trump administration to help address these urgent priorities.”
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