Westporter May Be Next HHS Secretary

The latest high-profile vacancy in Washington may be filled by a Westporter.

The New York Times, MSNBC and other sources have mentioned Scott Gottlieb as a possible replacement for Tom Price. The Health and Human Services secretary resigned under pressure yesterday, after criticism for spending over $400,000 on private jet flights.

In March, President Trump nominated Dr. Gottlieb as director of the Food and Drug Administration. He previously served in that agency, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He was a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a respected health policy analyst.

Gottlieb was also a clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, and an internist at Tisch Hospital.

At the time of his appointment, there was speculation that his ties to the drug industry and his role at New Enterprise Associates — a large venture capital firm that invests heavily in medical technology and healthcare companies — might hurt his chances. However, he was confirmed easily.

Whether he is named to the cabinet post or not, Gottlieb is already the most powerful Westporter in Washington since James Comey, former head of the FBI.

Interestingly, Comey’s actions during the 2016 election may have been one of the reasons Trump was in a position to hire Price — and now, possibly, Gottlieb — at all.