WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a leadership shakeup as the Trump administration seeks to refocus the agency’s priorities ahead of the midterm elections. The changes, directed by the White House, aim to address perceived dysfunction within HHS and align the department with politically advantageous health policy issues.
Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart are departing their roles, according to sources familiar with the matter. Neither HHS nor the White House immediately commented on the departures, first reported by Politico. The move comes a year into the tenure of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The White House has indicated that the restructuring is intended to streamline operations and address issues that have contributed to instability within the agency. Officials have emphasized a desire to focus on health policy areas that resonate with voters, particularly those related to drug pricing and food safety – issues considered less divisive than some of the administration’s other health initiatives.
The staffing changes include the elevation of four political appointees to more senior roles earlier this week. Chris Klomp, formerly deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has been appointed chief counselor, overseeing all HHS operations. Klomp, a former health IT executive, played a key role in the department’s efforts to lower drug prices and recently participated in meetings with Senate Republicans regarding drug pricing legislation alongside CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz.
Kyle Diamantas, deputy commissioner for human foods at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Grace Graham, deputy commissioner for policy, legislation, and international affairs, have been promoted to senior counselors for the FDA, while retaining their current positions. John Brooks, CMS’s chief policy and regulatory officer, will also serve as a senior counselor.
The administration’s focus on “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) policies is becoming increasingly apparent. This includes initiatives like the “Eat Real Food” campaign, which promotes new dietary guidance encouraging Americans to avoid ultraprocessed foods. The campaign has received high-profile support, including a Super Bowl advertisement featuring boxer Mike Tyson and subsequent appearances alongside Secretary Kennedy.
The departure of Jim O’Neill adds to existing leadership instability at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). O’Neill had been serving as acting director of the CDC since , following the firing of former director Susan Monarez. His tenure as acting director was marked by initiatives related to vaccine policy and public discussion of alleged Medicaid fraud.
Mike Stuart’s departure comes after his involvement in the department’s efforts to identify and address fraud in federal health care programs. He recently discussed anticipated enforcement actions against states, particularly those with Democratic leadership, and initiated investigations into gender-affirming care at over a dozen hospital systems and community health centers.
The CDC has experienced significant leadership turnover, having a confirmed director for only 28 days during the current administration – the period between Monarez’s swearing-in and her subsequent removal. Prior to Monarez’s appointment, the agency operated without a permanent or acting director for an extended period, managed by a political appointee lacking medical or public health expertise.
Ralph Abraham, a physician and former Louisiana surgeon general, was sworn in as principal deputy director of the CDC in December. Abraham has reportedly requested that CDC staff address him as “Doc” and recently acknowledged that the United States losing its measles elimination status would be “just the cost of doing business,” a statement that drew considerable attention.
The White House could appoint Abraham or another Senate-confirmed official as acting director of the CDC. However, under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, any such appointment would be limited to 210 days from the date the position became vacant, a deadline that falls in late March.
These changes reflect a broader effort by the administration to exert greater control over HHS and steer the department towards policies that align with its political objectives as it approaches the midterm elections. The focus on issues like drug pricing, food safety, and the MAHA agenda suggests a strategy to appeal to key voter demographics and demonstrate tangible progress on health-related concerns.
