HHS Deputy Secretary Announces Appointments

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy today announced the appointment of two senior officials.

James O’Neill has been named the principal associate deputy secretary. As the Deputy Secretary’s principal deputy, he advises him on all policy and program matters and assists him and Chief of Staff Rich McKeown in the Secretary’s management of the department. His main areas of policy and regulatory responsibility include the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Office of Public Health and Science, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, global health, and the President's Management Agenda. Mr. O'Neill also continues to advise the Deputy Secretary and the Secretary on emergency preparedness, pandemic preparedness, and homeland security, and leads special projects related to policy and operations. In his five years at HHS, he has previously served as associate deputy secretary, senior advisor to the deputy secretary, and director of the Speech and Editorial Division. Before joining HHS, he worked for the Department of Education, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and the White House.

Demetrios L. Kouzoukas has been named associate deputy secretary. His main areas of responsibility include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, health information technology, and privacy. He also handles special projects related to regulatory policy. In addition, he handles other health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Previously, as HHS deputy general counsel, he was responsible for providing legal advice across the department with respect to a broad spectrum of public health law and other issues. Before serving in government, Mr. Kouzoukas practiced health care law in Washington, D.C., with an emphasis on federal and state health care program compliance, reimbursement, fraud and abuse, and privacy issues.

“Jim O’Neill and Demetrios Kouzoukas have a strong combination of substantive knowledge and experience to help lead and manage the work of this department,” Deputy Secretary Troy said. “With their insights and judgment, they are invaluable assets as we work together to promote value-driven health care, ensure that regulations do not burden the economy, and complete the President’s health and human services agenda.”