CMS Chief Verma to Join Coronavirus Task Force

The Trump administration has appointed U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to its coronavirus task force, reports Politico Pro . Verma is a close ally of Vice President Mike Pence, who recently assumed management of the administration's response to the outbreak. Although Verma was embroiled in a public disagreement with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar — the task force chairman — only a few months ago, Azar nevertheless supports her appointment. A source says Azar also stumped for adding Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to the group, arguing that both Wilkie and Verma will fulfill vital functions as the coronavirus proliferates in the United States. Other recent additions to the task force include White House science adviser Kelvin Droegemeier; Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson; and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn.