President Donald Trump has appointed Chris Klomp to lead the 65,000-person Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, aiming to shift focus towards health care wins like lowering drug prices and fighting fraud. Despite past controversies, Trump praises Klomp for his expertise in health care and ability to stabilize operations.
Klomp, a former health-tech entrepreneur, has been tasked with reining in the HHS agencies and aligning their messages. He has set up daily check-in meetings with key leaders across the agency and become more enmeshed in White House planning.
The appointment comes amidst turmoil within the administration’s health agenda, including debates over vaccine policies. Trump’s advisers have wanted Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary, to deploy on the campaign trail this year, but his efforts have been met with resistance from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Klomp has won Trump’s favor after helping lead negotiations with drug companies to cut prices. He has also championed the administration’s new dietary guidelines and efforts to improve the nation’s food supply.
Despite some critics’ concerns about the appointment, Klomp has received praise for his business acumen and ability to drive “serious reform” inside the agencies. His focus on streamlining health care bureaucracy and lowering costs has impressed industry leaders.
However, Democrats and outside health advocates say the turmoil reflects deeper problems within the administration’s health agenda. They argue that cuts to federal health spending have created new barriers to care and that many health professionals are skeptical of the administration’s policies.
As Klomp takes on his new role, he faces a complex task of navigating the agency’s challenges and implementing Trump’s objectives. His appointment may help stabilize the HHS agencies, but it also raises questions about whether the administration can deliver on its promises to improve healthcare for Americans.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/13/trump-chris-klomp-maha