Several years ago, the American Medical Association supported Obamacare. But on Wednesday, it decided to support a noted opponent of the law for a key government position: Georgia representative Tom Price, who Donald Trump has selected to be Secretary of Health and Human Services in his administration.
“The American Medical Association strongly supports the nomination of Dr. Tom Price to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). His service as a physician, state legislator and member of the U.S. Congress provides a depth of experience to lead HHS,” Dr. Patrice Harris, Chair of AMA’s Board of Trustees, said in a statement.
“Dr. Price has been a leader in the development of health policies to advance patient choice and market-based solutions as well as reduce excessive regulatory burdens that diminish time devoted to patient care and increase costs,” she continued. “We urge the Senate to promptly consider and confirm Dr. Price for this important role.”
This is not the first time the AMA has worked with Price. Harris told healthcare reporting outlet Stat on Thursday that its “relationship with Dr. Price [goes] back decades,” and Price—in his capacity as a surgeon—is himself an AMA member. The AMA also endorsed one of Price’s recent bills last year, which would have expanded the ability to choose one’s doctor under Medicare.
But on other issues, the AMA and Price certainly have split ways. In 2012, ABC News reported that the doctors’ group treated the Supreme Court decision that upheld Obamacare’s individual mandate as a “victory.” Price, however, said that “[it] ought to be reversed, the right to religious freedom protected, and the entire health care law repealed.” He later unveiled his own alternative plan in May of last year.
Backlash to the AMA’s endorsement of Price for HHS chief was almost immediate from liberal doctors. The National Physicians Alliance noted that it felt “dismayed” towards the AMA statement. By Thursday morning night, 2,000 people identifying as medical students or professionals had signed an open letter from the left-leaning Clinical Action Network stating “The AMA Does Not Speak For Us.
“The AMA’s vision statement includes ‘improving health outcomes’ and ‘better health for all,’ and yet by supporting Dr. Price’s candidacy — and therefore, his views — the AMA has not aligned itself with the well-being of patients,” the document said.
But Price’s supporters say they’re just trying to be practical while sticking to their ideals.
“What should we have done?” wondered one senior official from a medical association, according to Politico. “Fight Price and wait for Trump to nominate Ben Carson?”
The AMA’s Harris told the publication on Wednesday that her organization “remains committed to improving health insurance coverage. A core principle is that any new reform proposal should not cause individuals currently covered to become uninsured.”
