Eric Hargan

Who is Eric Hargan?

Eric D. Hargan was the Acting Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the chief operating officer of the largest civilian department in the federal government, with a budget of $640 billion and more than 67,000 employees. Working closely with Secretary Mike Leavitt, Hargan oversaw all operations, including Medicare, Medicaid, public health, medical research, the regulation of food and drugs, welfare, child and family services, disease prevention, Indian health, mental health services, and many other activities. He also served as the Regulatory Policy Officer for HHS, overseeing the development and approval of all HHS regulations and significant guidances. In addition, he led a number of initiatives at the Department, including implementing the President's Management Agenda, combating bio-terrorism and public health emergency preparedness. He represented Secretary Leavitt on the boards of the American Red Cross and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

From 2005 to 2007, Hargan served as Principal Associate Deputy Secretary of HHS, and from 2003 to 2005, he served the Department as Deputy General Counsel.

Prior to joining HHS, Hargan was a partner in the Chicago headquarters of the law firm of Winston & Strawn, where he specialized in corporate law, particularly mergers and acquisitions, securities, and venture capital transactions.