Tom Price Resigns as HHS Secretary After Private Jet Scandal

HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, has resigned following the controversy surrounding his use of private planes for government-related travel at a high cost to taxpayers.

Politico broke the story that Dr Price had taken at least two dozen private flights since May, costing US taxpayers more than $400,000. Dr Price also approved military flights to Africa and Europe costing an additional $500,000. 

As the controversy came to a head, Dr Price pledged to pay back the cost of his seat for the trips. “The taxpayers won’t pay a dime for my seat on those planes,” Dr Price said, claiming he would write a personal check worth approximately $52,000 to reimburse the US Treasury. This apparently was not enough, and complaints continued that while Dr Price claimed he would reimburse the cost of his specific seat, it did not account for the cost of the flights for additional staff and crew. Two different investigations into the travel spending were launched as a result of Dr Price’s actions—one through the HHS Office of Inspector General, the other from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. 

Calls for Dr Price to resign increased, and President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” with Dr Price’s conduct when questioned by reporters. On Friday, September 29, Dr Price resigned. 

In a statement, Dr Price said, “I have spent 40 years both as a doctor and public servant putting people first. I regret that the recent events have created a distraction from these important objectives. Success on these issues is more important than any one person. In order for you to move forward without further disruption, I am officially tendering my resignation.”

Candidate names being floated to replace Price included Seema Verma, MPH, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Scott Gottlieb, MD, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

—Chris Evangelista