Trump Nominates Chris Klomp as Deputy Health Secretary/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has nominated Chris Klomp to serve as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), formalizing the influential adviser’s role as the department’s second-ranking official under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation.
Chris Klomp Nomination Quick Looks
- President Trump nominated Chris Klomp as deputy HHS secretary.
- Klomp has served as a senior adviser and Medicare administrator since February.
- He has overseen daily HHS operations during a period of major restructuring.
- Trump praised Klomp’s leadership and business background.
- Klomp helped lead negotiations on prescription drug pricing reforms.
- The nomination awaits Senate confirmation.
- Several other Trump health nominees are also pending before the Senate.
Deep Look
Trump Formalizes Klomp’s Leadership Role
President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Chris Klomp to become deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, making official the role he has effectively filled since joining the administration earlier this year.
If confirmed by the Senate, Klomp would serve as the department’s second-highest-ranking official under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., overseeing many of the agency’s day-to-day operations.
The appointment comes as HHS continues implementing sweeping organizational changes and healthcare policy reforms.
Trump Praises Klomp’s Record
Announcing the nomination on Truth Social, Trump praised Klomp’s leadership abilities and private-sector experience.
“Chris is a Strong and Inspiring Leader and a Highly Successful Entrepreneur. Everywhere Chris goes, he earns TRUST,” Trump wrote.
The president credited Klomp for his leadership at Medicare and his broader management of HHS operations.
“Chris has been doing a FANTASTIC job leading Medicare, and overseeing day-to-day operations,” Trump said, adding that his business background provides “the TOUGHNESS to drive desperately needed major reforms,” including efforts to reduce prescription drug costs.
Key Figure in HHS Restructuring
Klomp has become one of the administration’s most influential healthcare officials since being elevated from Medicare administrator to chief counselor at HHS in February.
He has played a central role in filling leadership vacancies after workforce reductions and departmental restructuring implemented under Kennedy’s leadership.
Health industry leaders have generally praised Klomp’s management style and his efforts to maintain stability while major policy changes move forward.
Leading Drug Pricing Negotiations
Among Klomp’s highest-profile assignments has been overseeing negotiations with major pharmaceutical companies over the administration’s “most favored nation” prescription drug pricing initiative.
The proposal seeks to tie U.S. drug prices more closely to the lower prices paid in other developed countries, a key healthcare priority for the Trump administration.
Officials have argued the policy could significantly reduce prescription costs for American consumers if fully implemented.
Business Background and Senate Confirmation
Before entering government, Klomp worked as a consultant at Bain & Company and later with Bain Capital.
He also served as chief executive officer of Collective Medical, a healthcare technology company focused on patient data coordination. The company was acquired in 2020.
Klomp’s nomination joins several other Trump healthcare appointments awaiting Senate confirmation, including nominees to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of the Surgeon General.
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