BioCentury
ARTICLE | Politics, Policy & Law

Azar clips wings of FDA, CDC, NIH and other health agencies

HHS memo raises alarms from former agency heads

September 19, 2020 11:00 PM UTC
Updated on Sep 20, 2020 at 11:50 PM UTC

In a move that former government officials are interpreting as a power grab that could signal a reduction in the ability of public health agencies to act independently, HHS Secretary Alex Azar has revoked the authority of agency leaders to sign off on rules.

The department says the move is routine “housekeeping” and concerns are misplaced. ...