Biotech billionaire in talks with Trump about a senior health care role, sources say

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, an audacious biotech billionaire who has pledged to “solve health care,” has been in talks with the Trump administration about the possibility of serving in a senior role overseeing the US health care system, according to individuals familiar with the discussions.

Soon-Shiong, a trained surgeon, has met with President Trump and his advisers at least twice in recent weeks. During those discussions, he raised the possibility that he could serve as a “health care czar” with a broad portfolio in the administration as it seeks to reshape the health care system and replace the Affordable Care Act, according to two individuals, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Asked about the discussions, an adviser to Soon-Shiong told STAT that the word “czar” had not been used but did not dispute that the biotech mogul has discussed the possibility of taking on a senior role overseeing health care in the Trump administration.