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# Groups Oppose Azar HHS Nomination
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/groups-oppose-azar-hhs-nomination/
- Published: 2018-01-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T23:10:44.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5140398

Some 60 groups representing patients, healthcare providers, public health experts, women, people of color, workers, consumers, and people of faith are telling senators that it would be detrimental to Americans for **Alex Azar** to be named HHS secretary. A 1/3 letter to senators (link in Public Citizen statement) says the groups are deeply concerned about statements made by Azar as well as by his record at Eli Lilly, according to a [statement](https://www.citizen.org/media/press-releases/more-60-groups-urge-senators-reject-azar-run-hhs?ref=fdaweb.com) from Public Citizen, one of the groups.

“We believe that elevating Mr. Azar to secretary of HHS would be detrimental to Americans’ access to quality affordable healthcare across the country,” the letter says.

The groups say they oppose Azar because: 

- he has denounced the Affordable Care Act;
- he has spoken in favor of converting Medicaid to block grants
- he has said the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act has not been successful;
- he will not commit to supporting mandatory, no-cost-sharing contraceptive coverage by insurers;
- · his record as president of Lilly USA raises doubts about his willingness to serve the needs of U.S. patients and consumers; and
- · Lilly is facing multiple class action suits alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and numerous state fraud, unfair trade practices, and consumer protection laws related to the company raising prices in lockstep with Novo Nordisk and Sanofi.

“At a time when our country is facing a crisis of access to affordable medicines, we need an untainted and credible advocate for patients and our healthcare system,” the letter says. “A former prescription drug company executive with a history of spiking the prices of lifesaving medicines is simply unqualified to address the needs of our national healthcare system…. The health care of all Americans required a secretary of HHS who puts the public above profits and who champions evidence-based approaches over ideology.”