Trump will name Tom Price as Health and Human Services secretary. Price is a Representative from Indiana and an opponent of Obamacare. Trump will name Seeme Verma to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named a vociferous critic of Obamacare and a health policy expert on Tuesday to help him repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare program.
Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trump’s Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, and consultant Seema Verma will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a powerful agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence, arriving at Trump Tower in New York, promised a “busy day” as the team continues filling key positions.
The president-elect plans to announce his choice of former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to serve as secretary of transportation, according to two sources familiar with the decision.
Trump, a Republican, cast Price and Verma as a “dream team” to help him once he takes office on Jan. 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, the health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Since its enactment in 2010, it has been a target of Republican attacks.
Defenders of Obamacare, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, said Price was too extreme. Democrats also criticized the pick because Price has supported barring federal funds for Planned Parenthood, which provides some abortions in addition to birth control, health exams and other services.
“Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house,” Schumer said.
Via Reuters