Senior Biden Health Policy Nominees Move to Confirmation Votes

President Joe Biden‘s picks to lead his Medicare agency and serve as deputy health secretary advanced out the Senate Finance Committee Thursday, despite objections from leading Republicans.

The committee advanced Andrea Palm, nominated to become the deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, on a 20-8 vote. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, picked to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, split the committee by party 14-14.

The nominations can move to a Senate vote, but that process is likely to be slowed by the party split. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has put a hold on Brooks-LaSure’s nomination ...