A staunch opponent of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, which he says destroys “the sacred doctor-patient relationship,” Price has offered several plans, including the Empowering Patients First Act, to repeal and replace the president’s health reforms. He favors, instead, offering patients health savings accounts which they may tap to pay for coverage and care, and tax credits to help people buy health insurance on their own.
Price’s office did not respond to interview requests or to detailed written questions about his relationships with contributors or his legislative record. His confirmation hearing could come before President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said Price is among the top targets for Democrats — and whose nomination they are trying to derail. The Office of Government Ethics will review Price’s financial disclosure report, which contains information about his assets, income and other personal financial information and then advise the Senate Finance Committee on whether Price needs to take steps to avoid conflicts of interest.
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In recent weeks, Price has come under criticism for his stock trading in drug companies, including an Australian firm that plans to seek U.S. approval for a promising drug.
Phil Blando, a Trump transition spokesman, said Price has complied with the law and ethics rules. Blando said that Price “takes his obligation to uphold the public trust very seriously” and, if confirmed by the Senate, will work with ethics officials to “ensure his continued compliance and transparency.”
Champion of medical equipment
When thousands gathered at the Medtrade meeting to learn about the latest home medical equipment in the fall, Price pledged to help them.
The industry has battled widespread changes in government payment mandated by Congress in 2003 and implemented by the Obama administration. The reforms came after a decade of Justice Department prosecutions that targeted fraudsters who bought wheelchairs at wholesale prices, allegedly gave them to seniors who didn’t need or want them and billed Medicare at a premium.
The most recent reforms have included budget cuts and a competitive bidding program meant to limit medical supply profitability, including the wheelchairs. Providers of home medical equipment have ranked as key Price backers, contributing $52,600 to his campaign since 2013, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of federal contributions.
