On Thursday, February 13, 2026, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a major reorganization of senior leadership at HHS, placing Chris Klomp, director of Medicare and deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in charge of overseeing all department operations, according to Politico.

The personnel changes are expected to be a part of a broader effort to streamline HHS management and bolster implementation of the administration’s health policies, including initiatives on drug pricing, dietary guidelines, and regulatory reforms.¹

Who is taking the helm at HHS?

The first major change in the leadership shakeup is Chris Klomp, who will retain his prior CMS roles while also serving as chief counselor for the department. Klomp has played a leading role in the administration’s negotiations with drug manufacturers, aiming to lower costs using authority from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.¹

He has also focused on improving cost controls for Medicare Advantage, a privately run alternative to traditional Medicare that about half of seniors choose, according to Politico.

“Kyle Diamantas, deputy commissioner for human foods at the Food and Drug Administration, and Grace Graham, the agency’s deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs, will also serve as senior counselors while keeping their current roles,” Kennedy wrote in an email according to Politico.

John Brooks, deputy administrator and chief policy and regulatory officer at CMS, is set to become a senior counselor at the agency in addition to his existing duties.¹

Kennedy’s email indicated the new senior counselors will coordinate between the secretary and HHS agencies on policy decisions while maintaining their prior responsibilities.¹

The email also names HHS chief of staff Matt Buckham as senior counselor for operations and personnel and Ken Callahan as senior counselor for policy. Buckham and Callahan will report to Klomp, who will report directly to Kennedy.¹

Are Kennedy’s top advisers at HHS stepping down?

Both deputy secretary Jim O’Neill and general counsel Mike Stuart are expected to leave their current roles at HHS, but will be offered other positions within the administration, according to two HHS officials and a person familiar with the decisions granted anonymity to discuss the matter.²

During his tenure, O’Neill, second-in-command behind Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at HHS and the interim leader of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped to amplify anti-vaccine messaging and concerns about Medicaid fraud.

Despite not having any formal medical or public health background, O’Neill was named acting director at the CDC after the ouster of Dr. Susan Monarez in late August and previously served at HHS under President George W. Bush.

Why is the Trump administration reshuffling HHS leadership?

According to a report from Politico, a White House official, speaking on background, said the moves reflect the growing importance of health policy for the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.²

The official added that the reshuffle is intended to strengthen focus on Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” priorities, including adjustments to dietary guidelines, elimination of artificial food dyes, and initiatives to increase affordability in health care, particularly through Trump’s most-favored nation drug pricing policies.²

Sources

1. RFK Jr. shakes up leadership team Politico February 12, 2026 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/12/rfk-jr-shakes-up-leadership-team-00779554
2. Top aides to RFK Jr. will leave posts Politico February 13, 2026 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/13/top-aides-to-rfk-jr-will-leave-posts-00780125
3. Jim O’Neill HHS Leadership U.S. Department of Health and Human Services February 2, 2026 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/jim-oneill.html&ved=2ahUKEwj-wLzH--CSAxXUFlkFHQQoMt0QFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0raXD5OODwctJLnq82XJW8