Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senate Confirms 'Drug Czar' To Lead Office In Charge Of Administration's Response To Opioid Epidemic
Stat: Trump Gets A Permanent Drug Czar — And His First Science Adviser
The Senate also confirmed James Carroll to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy, giving the White House a top drug policy adviser amid a national epidemic in which 70,000 Americans die each year from drug overdoses. Carroll has filled the role in an acting position since February. The Trump administration has identified the opioid crisis as a top priority, but lost its first ONDCP nominee to scandal and has in many cases sidelined the office while devoting much of its portfolio to Kellyanne Conway, one of the president’s top political advisers. (Facher, 1/2)
Reuters: U.S. Senate Confirms Two FCC Commissioners, Science Adviser
In total, the Senate confirmed 77 nominees late Wednesday in the final hours of the 115th Congress, including Kelvin Droegemeier to be director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. President Donald Trump had gone 19 months before nominating a chief science adviser in July. Droegemeier, a meteorologist, was previously vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma. (Shepardson, 1/2)
