• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high

1

Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high
Leadership

One of These Men May Wind Up Running Health Care in Donald Trump’s America

By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 15, 2016, 8:15 PM ET
Republican presidential elect Donald Trump meets with
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: President-elect Donald Trump listens as President Barack Obama talks to the media in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)Photograph by Jabin Botsford—The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Speculation is heating up about who will lead the Department of Health and Human Services after Donald Trump takes office in January.

Trump’s political outsider status, which helped with his unexpected election victory, could become more problematic after he takes the reins from President Obama, who reportedly plans to spend more time with his successor than usual teaching him the day-to-day aspects of the presidency. Considering that health care is one of the areas where Trump and fellow Republicans have promised major changes like dismantling Obamacare, his pick for HHS Secretary will be particularly important.

Here are some of the names reportedly being considered for the crucial position, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and other major agencies. (Fortune has contacted Trump’s transition team to confirm the short list, and will update this post if it responds.)

Subscribe to Brainstorm Health Daily, our brand new newsletter about health innovations.

Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)

Politico reported on Tuesday that Georgia Rep. Tom Price, an ardent Trump supporter and early surrogate for the businessman, is being seriously considered for the role.

SCOOP: Rep Tom Price – a doc & early Trump supporter – being considered for HHS sec, from @rachaelmbade and me. https://t.co/ULQ9DuIzA7

— Jennifer Haberkorn (@jenhab) November 15, 2016

Price would likely check a lot of boxes. He’s a former orthopedic surgeon who has consistently been one of Obamacare’s loudest Congressional critics; a top House Republican who serves as chairman of the powerful Budget Committee (in addition to seats on Appropriations, Insurance and Labor, and Health and Human Services committees); and previously led the Republican Study Committee, a conservative segment of the House Republican caucus.

Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal

Another name being floated is Bobby Jindal, the former Louisiana governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate whose campaign never really took off. Jindal left office with dismal approval ratings, with some polls showing that even a majority of Republicans disapproved of his performance.

But a Jindal pick wouldn’t be completely out of the blue considering his health care experience. He’s headed Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals and was an Assistant HHS Secretary during the George W. Bush administration. Still, Jindal had some pretty harsh things to say about Trump during the GOP primaries, once writing a CNN op-ed calling him “a madman who must be stopped.”

Jindal, like all of Trump’s reported candidates for HHS, is a die-hard Obamacare opponent who attempted to significantly slash Medicaid benefits during his tenure as governor.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

Gingrich, as a vocal Trump supporter and advocate, is widely expected to receive a major White House or cabinet role in a Trump Administration. The question is: What will it be?

HHS chief may be an option. Despite Gingrich’s reputation as a political bomb-thrower, he has some fairly strong (and varied) views on issues that the next Health and Human Services secretary may have to tackle.

For instance, Gingrich is a major supporter of medication-assisted treatment to help Americans who are addicted to opioids, as STAT News notes. That’s a method that’s also been strongly endorsed by the Obama administration; and Gingrich has called for doubling the NIH’s budget in order to facilitate scientific research.

Biopharma veteran Rich Bagger

Rich Bagger, the former executive vice president of corporate affairs and market access at biotech giant Celgene, is among the highest-profile businessmen on Trump’s transition team. Bagger’s also been a longtime figure in New Jersey state politics, serving as chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (a top Trump surrogate who was replaced as transition chief earlier this week).

But Bagger could just as well wind up returning to the biopharma industry. He took a leave of absence from Celgene to work with Trump’s campaign.

One who won’t be: Ben Carson

Ben Carson, for all his controversies as a presidential candidate, is a widely-respected neurosurgeon. His name was recently being floated for the HHS post. But an aide told The Hill on Tuesday that Carson had turned down any potential role in a Trump administration, citing a lack of sufficient experience to lead a government agency (even though Carson ran for president).

“Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he’s never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency,” the aide said.

About the Author
By Sy Mukherjee
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

40% of Americans didn’t read a book last year. These 3 are worth the exception
NewslettersCEO Daily
40% of Americans didn’t read a book last year. These 3 are worth the exception
By Diane BradyJuly 10, 2026
2 hours ago
Concert-goers and fans of British singer Harry Styles await outside the Johan Cruijff ArenA
SuccessGen Z
Harry Styles fans flew to Amsterdam, paid a 21% premium for hotels, and sent inflation soaring. One Gen Zer paid $1,000 for a tiny ‘box’ hotel room
By Preston ForeJuly 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Vietnam is paying women to have more babies—but there’s a catch: they have to be on baby no. 2 to qualify for the cash bonus
AsiaCareers
Vietnam is paying women to have more babies—but there’s a catch: they have to be on baby no. 2 to qualify for the cash bonus
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Stitch Fix’s CEO inherited a broken tech darling. He’s fixing it like a traditional retail exec
C-Suitechief executive officer (CEO)
Stitch Fix’s CEO inherited a broken tech darling. He’s fixing it like a traditional retail exec
By Phil WahbaJuly 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Raising Cane's counter with a goal soccer ball logo
RetailFood and drink
The Raising Cane’s co-CEO has seen those World Cup fans praising the chicken and sauce. He’s ‘pretty grateful’ to have ‘chicken fanatics’ worldwide
By Catherina GioinoJuly 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Hybrid‑work expert Nicholas Bloom says World Cup chaos and pricey commutes are turning July into the summer of remote work
Future of Workremote work
Hybrid‑work expert Nicholas Bloom says World Cup chaos and pricey commutes are turning July into the summer of remote work
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 9, 2026
16 hours ago

Most Popular

Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on
Economy
Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 9, 2026
20 hours ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
20 hours ago
Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high
Success
Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high
By Preston ForeJuly 9, 2026
21 hours ago
Current price of oil as of July 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 9, 2026
1 day ago
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
Success
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
By Preston ForeJuly 6, 2026
4 days ago
Investment firm's cofounder sues after being fired for neglecting the in-person work mandate he signed, saying it applies to employees not owners
Law
Investment firm's cofounder sues after being fired for neglecting the in-person work mandate he signed, saying it applies to employees not owners
By Jason MaJuly 5, 2026
5 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.