September 29, 2017 Charlie Minato News

HHS Secretary Tom Price Resigns

Tom Price has resigned as secretary of Health and Human Services, the federal government branch that oversees the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

His resignation comes after multiple reports that he used over $1 million in private jet travel, which was paid for by taxpayers. Yesterday, Price indicated he would pay back roughly $50,000 for the travel costs.

The news affects cigar smokers as Price’s umbrella of control included FDA, which is currently reevaluating its deeming regulations over cigars and is being sued by three cigar trade groups.

Price, a former orthopedic surgeon, previously served as a Republican congressman from Georgia. Twice, he co-sponsored bills that would have exempted premium cigars from FDA control. When he was confirmed in February, many in the cigar industry were thrilled at the appointment given his previous cigar-specific stances and his general pro-business attitudes.

It’s unclear who will succeed Price at the top of HHS, but whoever it is will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Don J. Wright, the current deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the office of disease prevention and health promotion, will serve as the acting secretary.

Deeming Regulations Department of Health and Human Services FDA Tom Price U.S. Food & Drug Administration
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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I handle the editing of our written content, the majority of the technical aspects of the site and work with the rest of our staff on content management, business development and more. I’ve lived in most corners of the country and now entering my second stint in Dallas, Texas. I enjoy boxing, headphones, the Le Mans 24-hour, wearing sweatshirts year-round and gyros. echte liebe.

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