NHPCO Welcomes Alex Azar as HHS Secretary

NHPCO congratulates Alex Azar on his Senate confirmation as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services this week.

“The appointment of Alex Azar puts a seasoned leader at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and NHPCO looks forward to working collaboratively with Secretary Azar and his staff to ensure that all Americans have access to person-centered, family-oriented, interdisciplinary care – something that has been a hallmark of hospice care for four decades,” said Edo Banach, NHPCO president and CEO.

Secretary Azar’s experience with hospice, referenced in his nomination hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Nov. 29 of last year, will prove an invaluable asset as he leads the department whose mission is to enhance and protect the well-being of all Americans. The hospice and palliative care community appreciate his understanding of quality care during this important period and looks forward to working to advance efforts to ensure all people receive the right care at the right time.

“Given the hospice and palliative care community’s collective experience of providing interdisciplinary, person-centered care, we firmly believe that we can work with HHS to help address issues facing health care delivery and point to solutions from our experience,” said Banach.

Secretary Alex Azar