WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary said Wednesday that access and affordability were his goals for health care reform, and he offered assurances that the new administration is not planning to launch a Medicare overhaul.
Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions at the start of a confirmation process that at times turned contentious.
He said the health care system is losing focus on patients, its first priority.
He answered “absolutely not,” when asked if the incoming administration intends to tackle Medicare while trying to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law and replace it with a GOP version.
As for the coverage goal of a new health law, Price said no one is interested in pulling the rug out from under any American.
The committee chairman, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., praised the selection of Price, an orthopedic surgeon-turned-lawmaker, to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Alexander also warned fellow Republicans not to attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement.
But the committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, said she has “serious concerns” about Price’s qualifications.
With coverage for millions of people at stake, Price is facing pointed questions about Trump’s health policies—and his own investments in health care companies.
Trump said in an interview aired Wednesday on Fox that his approach would offer coverage through private insurers for people who cannot afford it.
“Nobody is going to be dying on the streets with a President Trump,” he said. He said his plan would “probably” turn Medicaid over to the states in the form of block grants to cover low-income people.
Price, 62, represents Atlanta’s northern suburbs and leads the House Budget Committee. He drafted his own plan to replace Obama’s health law.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., pressed Price on whether Trump intends to keep promises repeatedly made during the presidential campaign not to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
“I have no reason to believe he’s changed his position,” Price said. He offered no details on Trump’s plans to tackle prescription drug costs.
Democrats also challenged Price on his extensive stock portfolio. His investments have prompted questions about potential conflicts of interest and calls for a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of possible insider trading.
Last week, Price signed a government ethics agreement pledging to sell his stocks, but that hasn’t stopped the questions.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., suggested Price got a special deal in the purchase of stock in an Australian drug company, Innate Immunotherapeutics. But Price insisted he other investors also had the same option.
“I think our job is to avoid the appearance of conflict,” Franken chastised. “And you have not done that.”
Republicans bristled at such questions.
“To question whether you are honest is insulting,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Price.
The department Price would lead has a $1 trillion budget and about 80,000 employees. It runs major health insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and HealthCare.gov. Price would also be ultimately responsible for the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Generally, Republicans want to overhaul the health care system to shift a greater financial responsibility and risk to individuals. They argue that would help create a genuine market for medical care, leading consumers to demand lower prices for services.
Republicans would loosen many Obama-era regulations on insurers, such as limits on how much older customers can be charged, and requirements that certain benefits be covered. They would cap the tax-free status of employer-provided health insurance. And Price favors limitations on jury awards in malpractice cases.
The Senate panel is one of two Senate committees that will hold hearings on Price. The Finance Committee, which actually votes on reporting the nomination to the Senate floor, will conduct a hearing next week.
