Chris Klomp’s nomination to be the second-in-command at HHS has advanced to the Senate floor — with help from one Democrat.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., often a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, joined 14 Republicans to support Klomp.
When asked about his vote, Whitehouse pointed to a longstanding Rhode Island Medicare reimbursement policy issue he said he hopes Klomp will help resolve.
For years, Whitehouse’s state has been grappling with challenges stemming from how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services compensates healthcare providers.
“I’m sick of it, and it’s really hurting my home state,” Whitehouse told Semafor. “And I’m prepared to make a bet that Chris Klomp will help Administrator [Mehmet] Oz and Secretary [Robert F.] Kennedy [Jr.] towards a resolution of this very dire home-based problem.”