Deputy Secretary Jim O\u2019Neill is expected to leave soon, after struggling to find his fit within the department<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, Feb. 13, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a>\u2019s second-in-command is apparently on his way out as part of a restructuring ahead of midterm elections, CNN<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Deputy Secretary Jim O\u2019Neill<\/a> is expected to leave soon, after struggling to find his fit within the department. Since late August, he also served as interim leader of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/p>\n CNN<\/em> noted that he had touted Kennedy\u2019s anti-vaccine messaging and concerns about Medicaid fraud and praised the nation\u2019s departure from the World Health Organization (WHO).<\/p>\n O’Neill was, however, considered a shaky public communicator by Trump administration insiders, and he had apparently struggled to fit in at the department.<\/p>\n Joining him on the way out, according to CNN<\/em>, is general counsel Mike Stuart<\/a>.<\/p>\n O\u2019Neill, who was named acting director of the CDC after the ouster of Susan Monarez<\/a>, had no formal public health or medical background. Former agency leaders told CNN<\/em> he seldom visited the CDC.<\/p>\n O’Neill’s imminent departure dovetails with a broader shakeup in HHS designed to improve public messaging and refocus the department\u2019s policy priorities.<\/p>\n The White House did not respond to requests for comment from CNN<\/em>. Politico first reported the planned moves.<\/p>\n Health care is expected to be a key element of the White House\u2019s midterm election strategy, CNN<\/em> said.<\/p>\n As part of that mission, four staffers who are highly regarded by key Trump aides have received new roles in recent weeks.<\/p>\n They include Medicare head Chris Klomp<\/a>, who will be the new chief counselor at HHS. He is expected to run daily HHS operations and serve as de facto chief of staff, CNN<\/em> said.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Read a semiannual report to Congress on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from the inspector general<\/a>.<\/p>\n