On Monday, January 20, President Trump named Endocrine Society member and current leader of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health Dr. Dorothy Fink interim HHS Secretary while his nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., awaits Senate confirmation. Since her appointment to HHS in 2018, Dr. Fink has led efforts to improve maternal health, building on her extensive research on women’s health. Her research includes diagnostics of hypothalamic amenorrhea, the role of diabetes in women’s skeletal health, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Dr. Fink can serve in this role until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate or up to 300 days. Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation hearing with the Senate Finance Committee has been scheduled for January 29. The Endocrine Society looks forward to working with Dr. Fink in the interim until a nominee is confirmed.
The Endocrine Society submitted comments this week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding a proposed rule that would allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications (AOMs) to treat obesity. The proposed rule, issued by the Biden Administration in November, also acknowledges obesity as a chronic disease. Our letter urges the Administration to adopt the proposal because it would remove a major barrier to treatment that has prevented millions of Americans from receiving evidence-based care. Since this is a proposed rule, the Trump Administration will have to agree to finalize and adopt the proposal. The Society will continue to advocate for expanding access to obesity treatment and care and looks forward to working with the new Administration on this issue.
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