Subscriber Comments of the Day
Randy
Heidi Overton, MD, PhD, Nominated As Next FDA Commissioner
Overton, a physician, is a White House domestic policy official who regularly briefs the president on various health issues. She was at his side earlier this month when he announced an executive order aimed at reducing the number of universally recommended childhood vaccinations.
At the time, she urged “blue states” to adopt the administration’s “gold standard” recommendations, which many doctors said were not supported by current science.
According to a senior administration official with knowledge of the process, Overton was Trump’s third choice for the position, and the administration was still interviewing candidates for the role Tuesday. Former Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, declined the job, the official said, as did acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, citing his young children and other personal reservations.
Randy
Re Cannabis: Dr. Heidi Overton supports moving cannabis to Schedule III to enable expanded medical research and clinical evaluation.
Her public stance focuses on closing scientific knowledge gaps regarding cannabis safety, interactions, and therapeutic efficacy—particularly for older adults—so doctors and patients have reliable clinical data to guide treatments.
Position: None
