Dr. Tom Price, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, is slated to testify at a courtesy hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on January 18th at 10:00am. Price (GA-6), an orthopedic surgeon, is currently Chairman of the House Budget Committee. The Senate Finance Committee, which has primary jurisdiction of Price’s confirmation, has not yet set a date for their hearing.
Trump has said that his administration will propose a repeal and replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) once Price is confirmed. While Trump has shared no details, his plan may resemble legislation which Rep. Price has introduced in every Congress since 2009. In addition to questions around Price’s legislation, the confirmation hearings may also examine his trading of healthcare stocks while serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Health subcommittee. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the HELP Committee, suggested that Price wouldn’t be confirmed until mid-February. Should this timeline hold true, Price would not likely present the Trump administration’s plan to replace the ACA until the beginning of March.
ANA is closely working with coalition partners to protect access to affordable healthcare. In advance of the confirmation hearings, we are meeting with Senate champions on both the HELP and Finance Committees to share our priorities and offer questions to get Price on record affirming his support for improving access, quality, and affordability of healthcare — and his commitment to further advance value-based payment.