Tom Price Nominated to Head HHS

According to a recent announcement, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Rep Tom Price, MD (R-GA)—a staunch opponent of the ACA—for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Trump has also nominated Seema Verma—a health care consultant—for acting administrator for the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS).

“Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on health care policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity,” President-elect Trump said in a statement. “He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible health care to every American.”

Dr Price, a former orthopedic surgeon, is a known critic of the current ACA, and says his top priority as health secretary will be to dismantle the current health reform law. 

Elected in 2015, Dr Price is the current Budget Committee chair. In an effort to begin repealing the ACA, Dr Price has developed numerous plans. His most recent bill, The Empowering Patients First Act of 2015, calls for distributing refundable tax credits to those who purchase insurance from the individual market instead of using government-based insurance. Dr Price’s tax credits are dependent upon age, and they range from $1200 for those aged 18 to 35, or $3000 for those 50 years of age and older.  

Ms Verma worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence during his governorship in Indiana, on the state’s ACA Medicaid expansion program—Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0.

“I am pleased to nominate Seema Verma to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,” President-elect Trump said in a statement. “She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our health care system for the benefit of all Americans.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released a statement supporting Dr Price’s nomination.

“The AMA strongly supports the nomination of Dr Tom Price to become the next Secretary of HHS,” the statement read.  “His service as a physician, state legislator, and member of the US Congress provides a depth of experience to lead HHS. Dr Price has been a leader in the development of health policies to advance patient choice and market-based solutions as well as reduce excessive regulatory burdens that diminish time devoted to patient care and increase costs. We urge the Senate to promptly consider and confirm Dr Price for this important role.”

However, many other representatives do not support Dr Price’s nomination. 

“Congressman Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want when it comes to Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and Planned Parenthood,” Sen Charles Schumer of New York, the incoming minority leader in the Senate, said in a press release. “Thanks to those three programs, millions of American seniors, families, people with disabilities, and women have access to quality, affordable health care. Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house.”

It is expected that Mr Trump will rely heavily on the health secretary to repeal and replace the ACA. —Julie Mazurkiewicz