Trump officially taps Rep. Tom Price as health secretary

(Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

published 29 November 2016

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that he will nominate Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) to be his secretary of health and human services. "Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Trump said in a statement. "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace ObamaCare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American." While on the campaign trail, Trump vowed to repeal and replace ObamaCare, but he has wavered on that promise post-election, saying after a meeting with President Obama that he would keep some parts of the healthcare law.

As a congressman and chair of the House Budget Committee, Price has been a vocal critic of ObamaCare, helping to draft replacement bills, and he has also expressed his support for House Speaker Paul Ryan's proposal to privatize Medicare. Price said in a statement released by Trump's transition team that he was "humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead." "There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors," Price said.