A health care entrepreneur and former top official in the Trump administration is leading the nascent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting project initiated by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Brad Smith, a Rhodes Scholar and close advisor to former President Trump, has been running DOGE during the transition effort, despite his role not being officially announced.
Smith, who has expertise in the nation’s healthcare system, is working closely with Steve Davis, a top lieutenant to Elon Musk, and William McGinley, a former White House counsel. The team is being closely watched due to its ambitious goals and potential focus on healthcare reform.
As a health expert, Smith previously led an office at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, experimenting with payment models for health services. He also played a key role in coordinating “Project Airbridge,” a federal effort to fly medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, he was involved in promoting the use of blood plasma as a treatment for the virus.
Smith’s latest company, Carebridge, recently announced a $2.7 billion deal with Elevance Health. He co-founded Aspire Health, an in-home palliative care company, with former Republican Senator Bill Frist.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/us/politics/elon-musk-doge-brad-smith-trump.html