Donald Trump’s transition team announced today that ultra-conservative surgeon, Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), has been selected to run the Department of Health and Human Services.
Price is well known for his right wing views, first as chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative lawmakers, and then as a founding member of the Tea Party Caucus, reported The Huffington Post. He has also been one of Washington’s most vocal and persistent critics of the Affordable Care Act.
In a statement Donald Trump praised Price saying, “He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American.”
Democrats criticized the move and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “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. Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house.”
The Main Street Alliance, an advocacy group for small businesses, called the appointment a shockingly “Inside-the-Box” selection. “Under the Affordable Care Act, health care costs are down, coverage is at an all-time high, and small businesses are positioned to match the offerings of their larger competitors and can afford to obtain coverage for themselves and their families,” the group said in a press release. “With the right Cabinet and advisors, President Trump could work to improve the law–further controlling prices and increasing access. But by pegging a member of Congress laser-focused on efforts to repeal the law for a Cabinet position, Mr. Trump appears to be doubling down on his campaign promise to repeal the law despite its successes.”
