Price Promises Not To ‘Pull The Rug Out’ From Under Americans, But Offers Few Details On Replacement
At a four-hour hearing, Donald Trump's nominee for HHS secretary backed away from the incoming president's promises of insurance for everyone, but set lofty goals for his own replacement plans. Democrats also pressed Price on his stocks, but the nominee defended his actions as "above board."
The New York Times:
Choice For Health Secretary Is Vague On Replacing Affordable Care Act
Representative Tom Price, the man President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, promised on Wednesday to make sure people do not “fall through the cracks” if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, and set a goal to increase the number of people with health insurance But at a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Mr. Price provided only vague reassurance to members of both parties who pressed him for specific policies. (Pear and Kaplan, 1/18)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump's Pick For Health Secretary Tells Senators He Will Protect The Vulnerable, But Doesn't Say How
During a testy four-hour hearing on Capitol Hill — which also featured several heated exchanges about Price’s ethics — Price also repeatedly dodged questions from Democrats seeking assurance that he would preserve basic protections required by law. Among other things, Obamacare bans lifetime limits on coverage, requires that health plans offer basic benefits such as substance abuse treatment and mandates that plans allow parents to keep their children on their insurance until they are 26. (Levey, 1/18)