Cohen reportedly tapped by Biden to lead CDC

In this Feb. 24, 2021 file photo, Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, speaks during a briefing at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C. Most of North Carolina’s Medicaid recipients have now moved over to managed care. Starting Thursday, July 1 five statewide or regional health plans are handling care for roughly 1.6 million consumers covered by government health programs for poor children, older adults and others. “It’s the biggest change to our program in its history,” said Cohen, whose agency awarded the five-year plan contracts — expected to cost $6 billion annually — and carries out the law. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, File)

RALEIGH — Former N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen has been tapped by President Joe Biden to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), numerous media reports indicate.

Cohen, who became a fixture in near-daily virtual press briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, had been working in the private sector since departing the agency in late 2021.

Outgoing CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced she was leaving the agency on May 5. Her final day leading the agency is expected be June 30.

This is a developing story and will be updated.