The Alex Azar era begins and Providence St. Joseph CEO Rod Hochman

Alex Azar was confirmed as the 24th Secretary of the Health and Human Services on Wednesday, about four months after Tom Price's abrupt departure. In a news roundup, POLITICO's Adam Cancryn, Paul Demko and Dan Diamond discuss Azar's confirmation, what his priorities are and what's next for the agency (starts at 2:20). Then after the break, listen to Dan's interview with Rod Hochman, CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health, one of the nation's largest hospital systems, where they discuss care delivery, health care venture capital and the hospital business model (starts at 21:45). The conversation was recorded at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference earlier this month. We'd appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email [email protected]. Stories referenced on the podcast: Adam's story on Alex Azar's confirmation: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/24/alex-azar-secretary-health-confirmed-trump-nominee-365471 Dan's story on the religious activists on the rise at HHS: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/22/trump-religious-activists-hhs-351735 Paul's Pro story on the latest ACA enrollment figures: https://www.politicopro.com/health-care/article/2018/01/stagnant-enrollment-in-state-exchanges-masks-shake-up-in-marketplace-behavior-292657 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices