Becker’s Hospital Review asked five figures in the healthcare industry for their reactions to President-elect Trump’s selection of Georgia Congressman Tom Price, M.D., to be secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services and Seema Verma, founder and CEO of health-policy consultancy SVC, to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Ted Shaw, president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association:
“Trump’s nominees to lead the national conversation on healthcare both have long careers in health policy. Their depth of understanding of complex health policy issues will be essential as Congress debates the future of healthcare reform and states continue their work to more effectively manage their Medicaid programs.”
Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals:
“The Federation of American Hospitals congratulates Chairman Tom Price on his nomination to be HHS Secretary.
“His decades of experience in the medical field make him uniquely qualified to confront the challenges facing patients, families, and caregivers. As chairman of the Budget Committee, he has proven to be a thoughtful, detail-oriented legislator who cares deeply about public policy. In light of expected legislative action on the ACA, it is noteworthy that his repeal and replace proposal recognizes the need to protect access to hospital care for millions of Americans by restoring deep Medicare and Medicaid cuts. ”
“President-elect Trump’s selection to lead CMS, Seema Verma, has a solid reputation as an effective innovator in assisting states in reforming and modernizing Medicaid programs for low-income Americans.”
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Donald W. Fisher, president and CEO of AMGA:
“AMGA offers its congratulations to Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) on his nomination to become the next secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. From his experience as a practicing physician for nearly 20 years and his leadership on the House Ways and Means Committee, House Budget Committee, and the House GOP Doctors Caucus, he brings a wealth of clinical and policy expertise.”
Bruce Siegel, M.D., President and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals:
Ms. Verma “offers a deep understanding of healthcare delivery and policymaking and can contribute an important state-level perspective on Medicaid, insurance and public health.”
Jodi Magee, president of Physicians for Reproductive Health:
“President-elect Trump’s plan to nominate Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) to be the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) signals an alarming direction for reproductive health. Price has been a staunch opponent of women’s health and the Affordable Care Act during his time in Congress.
“Although Price has insisted that ‘patients, families and doctors should be making health decisions, not Washington, D.C.,’ he has directly contradicted that by supporting legislative efforts that interfere in the patient-doctor relationship. For example, Price has voted for anti-choice legislation that would harm our doctor’s patients, including bans on abortion, defunding Planned Parenthood and repealing the Affordable Care Act. We are deeply troubled that Price, though he is a physician, seems to disregard the strong medical evidence that access to safe and legal abortion and contraception protects not just a woman’s health, but that of her family and community.”
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