The Trump administration has appointed Chris Klomp, a technology entrepreneur known for his cost-cutting measures, to lead Medicare. Klomp, CEO of health IT company Collective Medical, has a reputation for frugality. He flew bargain airlines, slept in rental cars and budget motels on business trips, and stocked his office with Costco snacks. Even after Collective Medical raised nearly $50 million from investors, Klomp continued to prioritize thriftiness. One notable example was when he arrived at the company’s headquarters with his 1960s teal Ford pickup loaded with printer paper on sale at Staples. Former employees recall Klomp’s emphasis on saving money, with some even having to share hotel rooms during business trips. “We all had Chris Klomp cheap-o stories,” said Ben Zaniello, Collective Medical’s former chief medical officer. Klomp’s appointment is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce spending at the federal health department. This move aligns with the administration’s broader quest to slash healthcare expenditures.
