Seema Verma

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma and television personality Mehmet Oz, M.D., may be among President Donald Trump’s candidates to replace former Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D, according to reports. 

At least a dozen names are currently rumored to be on a shortlist of replacements for Price, who resigned Friday after receiving harsh criticism of his use of private and military jets for official travels. HHS is currently led by Acting Secretary Don Wright. 

Politico reported Monday that potential candidates include Verma, whose previous working relationship with Vice President Mike Pence, easy Senate confirmation and work on past attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act make her a frontrunner.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is also rumored to be up for the job, although he’s received backlash over his handling of recent hurricane-related deaths at a Hollywood, FL, nursing home that could hurt his chances, according to Politico. 

Other HHS candidates, as listed by various observers, include:

  • Television host and cardiothoracic surgeon Mehmet Oz, M.D.
  • Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
  • Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
  • Former Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI)
  • Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb
  • Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin
  • Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
  • Acting Secretary and longtime federal health official Don Wright
  • Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R)
  • Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
  • HUD Secretary Ben Carson