Rep. Tom Price, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, pledged Wednesday that he shares Trump’s goal of making sure everyone has access to health insurance, although he focused more on access rather than guaranteeing coverage.
“I think it is imperative that we have a system in place that has patients in the center and allows Americans to gain access to healthcare,” the Georgia Republican said during a confirmation hearing Wednesday at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
As secretary, Price would have a pivotal part in repealing and implementing a replacement for Obamacare. Trump has pledged in recent days to give everybody health insurance, and said that Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced “simultaneously.”
Price was questioned by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on whether his own Obamacare replacement plan he has issued in the House would cover as many people as Obamacare, especially for people with pre-existing conditions.
“I disagree with the consequences,” Murray, said referring to his plan.
