Tom Price (Health and Human Services)
Why he is unqualified: This one is kind of a mixed bag. He does have a medical degree - he's a orthopedic surgeon - and has championed doctors throughout his legislative career. But that's pretty much where his qualifications end.
He's caused a split in the medical community over his adament opposition toward ACA. Democrats are also asking for an ethics probe of his stock holdings, and how there may be a potential conflict of interest. In so many words, Democrats are basically accusing him of insider trading. But in Congress, it's called the STOCK Act.
He also wants to privatize Medicare, and give older Americans money to buy private insurance. He also belongs to an organization that promotes anti-vaccine beliefs. He also has a a clear conflict-of-interest, which should eliminate him from contention. (Which he was really defensive about at his confirmation hearing. But more on that in a second.)
He, like all of Trump's nominees, are profoundly LGBTQ. And that should concern us all.
He's caused a split in the medical community over his adament opposition toward ACA. Democrats are also asking for an ethics probe of his stock holdings, and how there may be a potential conflict of interest. In so many words, Democrats are basically accusing him of insider trading. But in Congress, it's called the STOCK Act.
He also wants to privatize Medicare, and give older Americans money to buy private insurance. He also belongs to an organization that promotes anti-vaccine beliefs. He also has a a clear conflict-of-interest, which should eliminate him from contention. (Which he was really defensive about at his confirmation hearing. But more on that in a second.)
He, like all of Trump's nominees, are profoundly LGBTQ. And that should concern us all.
Following the 1/18 confirmation hearing:
Ok, first things first: shout out to the HELP committee for doing two confirmations in two days. It's a LOT of work, and the Dems made do with some truly stringent rules enforced by Chair Alexander re: one round of questioning.
With that being said, let's recap what exactly Price said:
So basically, none of this is good. In a nutshell, Price is a physician who only has the interests of physicians in mind. We do NOT want him near this position, especially given that he can influence the fate of ACA.
With that being said, let's recap what exactly Price said:
- Price believes that the fact that he bought stock in a company, and then helped push a bill for that company is not a conflict of interest. (And said quite resentfully, I might add.)
- Price dodged a question on whether kids could stay on the healthcare of their parents until 26. Implied that was already "written" into law. When Senator Baldwin pressed him on it, he refused to answer whether he'd have it in law.
- Price also dodged a question about pre-existing conditions from Senator Casey. The implication is that current ACA law re: pre-existing conditions will not be upheld under his tenure.
- When pressed, Price stated that he doesn't believe it's a conflict of interest for him to have stock in a tobacco company; also doesn't believe he got a "sweetheart deal".
- Senator Warren also challenged Price on Medicare and Medicaid. He refused to confirm that they will NOT be cut.
- Also, all Democrats + 193 organizations oppose Price.
So basically, none of this is good. In a nutshell, Price is a physician who only has the interests of physicians in mind. We do NOT want him near this position, especially given that he can influence the fate of ACA.
Check out the extremely hostile responses from Price below:
|
|
|
What to do next?
Email draft:
Date:
Rep name
Address
Address
Dear [Rep name]:
I am writing to ask for you to not support Congressman Tom Price. He has clear conflicts of interest in his stock holdings, particularly his investments in Innate Immunotherapeutics Inc. - may prove to be a violation of the STOCK Act.
While the Hon. Mr. Price has many qualifications that appear to suit the Health and Human Services position, I think we cannot have a HHS head who is already proven he is willing to use his position for personal gain.
Warmest regards,
[name]
Rep name
Address
Address
Dear [Rep name]:
I am writing to ask for you to not support Congressman Tom Price. He has clear conflicts of interest in his stock holdings, particularly his investments in Innate Immunotherapeutics Inc. - may prove to be a violation of the STOCK Act.
While the Hon. Mr. Price has many qualifications that appear to suit the Health and Human Services position, I think we cannot have a HHS head who is already proven he is willing to use his position for personal gain.
Warmest regards,
[name]
Call script
You: Hello, my name is [name] and I'm calling from [zip code].
You: I'm calling to ask [rep name] to vote no on Tom Price.
You: I have strong concerns about Price's capacity to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. While he may have a medical background, he indicated some troubling answers in his testimony, including his refusal to answer whether young adults can stay on the insurance of their parents until 26; whether pre-existing conditions will be protected, and if Medicare would be cut.
You: I am profoundly troubled with his nomination, and again, encourage [SENATOR] name to vote no.
You: Can I confirm that [rep name] will vote no?
You: Thank you and have a good day.
If this is applicable to you:
You: I am also very concerned about Congressman Price's hostile response toward his conflict-of-interests involving his stock purchases. He did not seem to understand why the committee might have ethics concerns.
You: I'm calling to ask [rep name] to vote no on Tom Price.
You: I have strong concerns about Price's capacity to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. While he may have a medical background, he indicated some troubling answers in his testimony, including his refusal to answer whether young adults can stay on the insurance of their parents until 26; whether pre-existing conditions will be protected, and if Medicare would be cut.
You: I am profoundly troubled with his nomination, and again, encourage [SENATOR] name to vote no.
You: Can I confirm that [rep name] will vote no?
You: Thank you and have a good day.
If this is applicable to you:
You: I am also very concerned about Congressman Price's hostile response toward his conflict-of-interests involving his stock purchases. He did not seem to understand why the committee might have ethics concerns.