Trump's Pick for Top Healthcare Post Makes
It Clear: Safety Net No Longer Safe
As
tens of millions of Americans face losing their health insurance under a
Republican-led Congress, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Tom
Price, refused to clearly tell a Senate committee how critical
healthcare safety net programs would fare under his leadership.
During
his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions on Wednesday, Rep. Price (R-Ga.) danced around questions
related to Medicare and Medicaid cuts, health coverage for young people and
people with pre-existing conditions, and his financial investments.
During
his time in the House of Representatives, Price has fought to repeal the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and defund Planned Parenthood, along with other
conservative priorities.
He's
also bought and sold stock in a number of
healthcare and pharmaceutical companies while voting on legislation that could
impact those companies' bottom line.
Sen.
Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) grilled Price on his previous proposals to cut Medicare and
Medicaid spending—but couldn't get a straight answer as to whether he would
honor the president-elect's campaign promises not to cut those programs.
In
a video posted online Wednesday morning, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also
highlighted the differences between Trump and his HHS pick on Medicare cuts.
Sanders
didn't miss his chance to take on Price during Wednesday's hearing, resulting
in a heated exchange over whether healthcare is a human right.
Price
also "wouldn't give a direct answer under questioning from Sen. Tammy
Baldwin (D-Wis.) about whether Price agrees with President-elect Trump's call
for Medicare to negotiate drug prices," The Hill reported.
"Well
I understand that if I'm confirmed and if I have the privilege of serving as
secretary that the boss that I have will be the president of the United
States," Price said in response to Baldwin's query.
She
then asked the question again.
"Following
discussion and being informed by the individuals within the department and
working with the president, and then carrying out his wishes," Price said.
"Was
that a yes? Or was that a no?" Baldwin pressed.
"Well
it depends on that activity," Price said.
When
it was her turn, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) highlighted Price's anti-women record.
Murray,
Warren, and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) were among those senators who raised
questions about Price's investments and stock trading.
The
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will not vote on Price's
nomination. He will also sit before the Senate Finance Committee, which will
vote on his confirmation.