24 January 2018 - The Senate confirmed Alex M. Azar II on Wednesday to be secretary of health and human services, clearing the way for President Trump’s second health secretary to begin controlling more than a trillion dollars a year in spending on medical insurance coverage for about one-third of all Americans.

The vote was 55 to 43.

Mr. Azar, an ophthalmologist’s son and former drug company executive who served in the administration of George W. Bush, faces two huge challenges.

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