Last Wednesday, the Senate gave approval to Eric Hargan to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. As the official second in command at HHS, Hargan becomes the acting HHS leader. For a week, Deputy Assistant Health Secretary Don Wright served as Acting Secretary.
Hargan served at HHS in different positions during the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2007. He was approved by the Senate by a vote of 57 to 38.
Since the resignation of former HHS head Tom Price on September 29, no clear front runners have emerged but many names are making the Washington rumor circuit. Names include at least three current senators—Johnson (R-WS), Cassidy (R-LA), and Borrasso (R-WY)—but they have expressed little interest. Some other names that are recirculating from earlier this year including former governors Judd Gregg (also a former senator) and Bobby Jindahl (also former representative). Jindal has also had a past job at HHS serving as CMS Director during the George W. Bush Administration.
