WASHINGTON ‒ Ben Carson, former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during President Donald Trump's first term, is back in the Trump administration as national nutrition adviser.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, was sworn in on Sept. 24 as national adviser for nutrition, health and housing at the Department of Agriculture. In the newly created role, Carson will oversee programs in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" law aimed at improving health care in rural communities, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said.

"There is no one more qualified than Dr. Carson to advise on policies that improve Americans' everyday quality of life, from nutrition to healthcare quality to ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing," Rollins said in a statement.

The addition of the 74-year-old Carson, who ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential primary, comes as Trump pushes a "Make America Healthy Again" nutrition agenda led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

"With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, and rural communities facing unique challenges with respect to adequate housing, Dr. Carson’s insight and experience is critical," Rollins said.

Trump over the weekend said he plans to award Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. He surprised Carson with the news during remarks at an event hosted by the American Cornerstone Institute, which Carson founded.

Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which Republicans in Congress passed with no Democratic support, included a last-minute addition of a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to effectively offset losses rural health care providers could see from other components of the law.

About 10 million Americans are expected to lose health insurance under the tax cut and spending law, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That includes 7.5 million people projected to lose Medicaid coverage following changes under the law because of new eligibility requirements.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @Joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Carson returns to Trump's White House as national nutrition adviser

Reporting by Joey Garrison, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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