President-elect Trump has selected biotech investor Jim O’Neill as the nominee for deputy secretary of the Health and Human Services department. If confirmed, O’Neill would be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of various sub-agencies under HHS, including managing programs like Medicare and Medicaid, leading public health emergency preparedness efforts, and shaping federal research initiatives.
O’Neill is known for his close ties to billionaire Peter Thiel, having co-founded the Thiel Fellowship and served as managing director of Mithril Capital Management, Thiel’s investment firm. He has also worked with Ohio senator and vice president-elect JD Vance on various projects related to technology, biology, and culture. Currently, O’Neill sits on the board of ADvantage Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on developing therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. He is a strong advocate for longevity medicine and holds libertarian views.
During the previous Trump administration, O’Neill was considered as a potential candidate for the position of Food and Drug Administration commissioner. However, his radical proposal to approve drugs based solely on safety rather than efficacy set him apart from more traditional candidates, and he ultimately lost out to Scott Gottlieb. This time around, President-elect Trump is opting for anti-establishment figures like O’Neill and RFK Jr. to fill key positions in his cabinet.
O’Neill has expressed solidarity with RFK Jr. on various issues, including criticism of vaccine mandates and a shared goal of making America healthier. He has also raised concerns about fluoride levels in drinking water and the influence of the food industry on dietary guidelines. With prior experience as a speechwriter and policy adviser at HHS during the George W. Bush administration, O’Neill is well-versed in areas like pandemic preparedness, FDA reform, and public health initiatives.
The nomination of O’Neill for deputy secretary at HHS will require Senate confirmation, but his background in government work may make the confirmation process smoother. In the event that RFK Jr. faces challenges in gaining approval from Congress, O’Neill could potentially serve as acting secretary in the interim.
Overall, O’Neill’s nomination reflects President-elect Trump’s strategy of appointing unconventional candidates to key positions within the administration. If confirmed, O’Neill will have a significant role in shaping healthcare policies and programs that impact the lives of millions of Americans. His experience in both the private sector and government service positions him well for the responsibilities of the deputy secretary role at HHS.
