Senators Question Trump's Picks for Top Health Positions, Including Surgeon General
Senators pressed nominees on vaccine views, measles response and HHS staffing as the department faces leadership gaps and restructuring questions.
- On Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee held confirmation hearings for three Department of Health and Human Services nominees, including President Donald Trump's surgeon general pick, Dr. Nicole Saphier.
- Saphier, a radiologist and health influencer, is Trump's third surgeon general nominee after previous picks Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat withdrew from consideration earlier this year.
- Senators are expected to grill Saphier over vaccine views as she navigates Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to scale back guidance. Former Surgeon General Adams said she will need a "clear, independent voice."
- Also facing lawmakers, HHS deputy secretary nominee Chris Klomp defended children receiving the MMR vaccine to curb measles, distancing himself from Kennedy's public doubts about vaccine safety.
- Experts note that bringing influencers into government roles presents unique challenges, as the Pew Research Center reports only about 10% of adults trust health information from social media influencers.
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20 Articles
What a social media influencer turned surgeon general could mean for public health in the US
Wednesday’s senate confirmation hearing won’t be the first time that much of the American public meets Dr. Nicole Saphier and hears her perspective; President Donald Trump’s nominee for US surgeon general is a health and wellness influencer who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers through her podcast and social media platforms.
Trump’s Third Surgeon General Nominee to Face Senate
“Senators are expected to quiz Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s pick for surgeon general, and two other high-profile nominees on vaccines, grant cancellations and the nation’s opioid crisis at a hearing Wednesday morning,” the Washington Post reports.
Senators question Trump's picks for top health positions, including surgeon general
On Wednesday, the Senate committee on health holds a confirmation hearing for three top health officials, including surgeon general. Dr. Nicole Saphier is President Trump's third attempt to nominate a surgeon general.
US surgeon general nominee made $270,000 from supplement company
Tobacco investments raise new concerns about Dr Nicole Saphier ahead of confirmation hearing Donald Trump’s nominee for US surgeon general reported more than $200,000 in business income from a company she owns that sells dietary supplements, a loosely regulated industry that health and consumer advocates say raises concerns about her record and which some critics…
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