Trump taps Brooks to lead HHS landing team

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped John Brooks to lead his HHS landing team, three people familiar with the selection granted anonymity to discuss government transition efforts told POLITICO.

The elevation of Brooks, a former senior Medicare official during Trump’s first term who went on to advise former HHS Secretary Alex Azar on drug pricing policy, lends policy heft to a Trump health team that has faced scrutiny over its top nominees' lack of government experience.

The landing team — which is tasked with preparing the incoming administration to hit the ground running — consists of several Trump allies led by Brooks, though the identities of those enlisted has been closely held within the health department, according to one of the people granted anonymity.

"As per the Transition MOU with the Biden Administration, the White House is receiving the names of those serving on landing teams. The landing team members are connecting with their counterparts at the departments and agencies,” Brian Hughes, spokesman for the Trump-Vance transition, said in a statement.

Brooks spent three years in the first Trump administration, where he did stints at the White House's Domestic Policy Council and as a top aide to then-Medicare and Medicaid Director Seema Verma before taking over as one of Azar's close advisers. Since leaving government, he has run a health policy research and consulting firm.

Brooks did not respond to a request for comment.

HHS secretary pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on Capitol Hill this week meeting with a slew of Republican senators as part of an effort to lock down support for confirmation.