Trump picks staunch Obamacare critic to lead HHS

WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump has tapped one of Capitol Hill’s strongest Obamacare opponents, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Price, 62, is a six-term congressman who spent 20 years as an orthopedic surgeon and abhors President Barack Obama’s healthcare law. Most Republicans want an Obamacare alternative, but Price is one of the few who has introduced legislation for a new healthcare system. If Price clears a Senate confirmation vote, he’ll be a key negotiator with Congress on how to replace the Affordable Care Act, and he’ll have far reach over the replacement’s implementation.

While Congress debated healthcare reform in 2009, Price introduced his own legislation and has offered tweaked versions of it each year since. He frequently rails against Obamacare’s interference with the ability of patients and doctors to make medical decisions. His 242-page plan would create incentives for health savings accounts and deregulate the healthcare network, allowing interstate insurance sales.

Price’s legislation helped frame Republican healthcare dialogue over the past seven years and influenced House Speaker Paul Ryan’s “Better Way” agenda. His most recent bill, The Empowering Patients First Act of 2015, would give refundable tax credits for policies bought on the individual market. The credits range from $1,200, for those age 18 to 35, to $3,000 for those age 50 and older.

“I am humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people,” Price said this morning in a statement. “There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit.”

Price was one of Trump’s early supporters and even joined him on the campaign trail. His selection should calm Obamacare opponents anxious after Trump said he was open to keeping parts of the healthcare law.

In Trump’s first extensive post-election interview, on 60 Minutes, he suggested he’s not ready to tear down the Affordable Care Act completely. He said he specifically likes its provision protecting persons with pre-existing conditions.

“It happens to be one of the strongest assets,” Trump said. “It adds cost, but it’s very much something we’re gonna try and keep.”

But Price has said repeatedly Obamacare is “unworkable,” insisting the first step toward reform is to dismantle it completely.

“This pick would suggest that Trump is serious about dismantling Obamacare and replacing it with a market-based alternative,” said Lanhee Chen, a healthcare policy researcher at the Hoover Institution.

Democrats quickly criticized Price’s nomination.

“Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the henhouse,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY., who will take over as Senate minority leader in the new Congress. “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.”

House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said if Price has his way, millions of families will lose their insurance and women will lose “their right” to reproductive healthcare.

Price is an outspoken opponent of abortion, consistently receiving 100 percent ratings from the National Right to Life Committee and scoring a zero with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Pro-life leaders such as Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List president, called Price a great choice to protect life and freedom of conscience.

During the presidential transition period, Trump continues to hold daily meetings with potential staff and is quickly filling out his future Cabinet. In addition to Price, Trump announced today he wants Elaine Chao to head the transportation department.

Chao was the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position—serving as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush for both terms of his presidency. Before that, she worked in President George H.W. Bush’s administration as deputy secretary of transportation, from 1989 to 1991.

If confirmed by the Senate, Chao will play a key role in getting an infrastructure spending bill passed through Congress—legislation Trump labeled a top priority during his acceptance speech. But negotiations may get convoluted: Chao is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who also will be pivotal to the safe passage of any infrastructure spending.