President-elect Donald Trump is sending yet another firm message to the Obama administration with the selection of Obamacare opponent Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), an orthopedic surgeon, as secretary of health and human services. He has been one of Capitol Hill’s fiercest critics of President Obama’s health care law, and prematurely announced unofficially Monday night.
Price, a six-term congressman who chairs the House Budget Committee and is regarded as a policy wonk, is expected to be officially announced Tuesday. The Georgia congressman will become the Trump administration’s point person on dismantling and replacing the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s number one legacy.
Price, 62, who represents a suburban Atlanta district, has played a leading role in the advocating of Obamacare’s demise. He has helped draft several comprehensive bills to replace it. He fits right into Trump’s campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law.
Trump has already said it will not be a complete repeal. He is in favor of keeping the provision preventing insurers from refusing coverage for preexisting conditions as well as the one permitting children to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26.
Price is a veteran lawmaker who will work closely with House Speaker Paul Ryan. He is familiar with the budgetary process, the federal bureaucracy and the costs and mechanics both of changing the Affordable Care Act as well as revamping the Medicare entitlement program.
More cabinet selections are expected in the next few days including secretary of State.
