“In nominating Alex Azar to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, President Trump has picked someone who is on the record as an opponent of the Affordable Care Act, a defender of big Pharma, and a contributor to anti-abortion candidates and causes. As president of US operations of Eli Lilly Co., one of the largest drug companies in the world, Azar presided over astronomical rises in drug prices. He supports giving states more control over Medicaid, a stance that will further exacerbate the inequities in the American health care system by allowing states to reduce benefits and narrow eligibility for care.

“Of particular concern to the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Azar is committed to an anti-abortion agenda and he will undoubtedly seek to further restrict the ability of women to obtain an abortion.

“It is hard to fathom that Azar will put his expertise to work in order to ensure the ‘better, cheaper’ health care touted by President Trump. Rather, we can expect him to continue the sabotage of the Affordable Care Act, keep up the attacks on a woman’s right to make her own choices regarding her reproductive health care, and undermine efforts to reduce drug prices. He will just be more efficient at it than former secretary Tom Price. The US Senate should oppose his confirmation.”