On Trump’s Alarming Pick of Price as HHS Secretary

Atlanta, GA – Today, Donald Trump announced his selection of Georgia Congressman Tom Price to serve as Health and Human Services Secretary. The decision to tap Price to lead HHS is yet another troubling indicator that a Trump Administration is shaping up to be one of the most extreme in generations.

Price has been one of the most outspoken foes of Obamacare, labeling the landmark legislation as a “disaster” and “tyranny.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find a more alarming or inappropriate pick for HHS than Tom Price. If confirmed, we would have a HHS Secretary with a lengthy record of hostility toward women, the LGBTQ community, and those in dire need of affordable health care. Price’s career of division and extremism casts serious doubt on his ability to protect the health and welfare of all Americans without bias.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director

On the Affordable Care Act, Tom Price—

Called for a full repeal “so that it no longer threatens the health and well-being of individuals, families, job creators and the nation’s health care system.” [Tom Price Press Release]

Defended the 2013 government shutdown over the ACA, saying “the goal that we ought to have is to make certain that the American people never have to live under this law.” [Fox News 2013]

Has a proposed replacement for the ACA that “arguably does less to protect sick people” than Paul Ryan’s plan. [VOX]

Price also:

Proposed turning Medicare into a voucher program. [Politico]

Voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Voted to defund Planned Parenthood and falsely claimed that “not one” woman did not have access to birth control. [The Atlantic] [Congress.gov]

Called the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality “a sad day for marriage.” [Tom Price Press Release]

Said of a gay rights bill that “he consequences of activity that has been seen as outside the norm are real and must be explored completely…” [Right Wing Watch]

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