BOSTON, MA – Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, on the testimony of Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), nominee for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, today before the Senate HELP committee.

“Rep. Tom Price said very little today during his confirmation hearing to assuage our serious concerns about his nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In addition to dodging ethical questions related to his health care investments, he reiterated his support for repeal of the Affordable Care Act without an explanation of how he would protect the health and financial security of the 22 million people who have gained coverage under the law. Moreover, what minimal detail he did offer about how he would replace the ACA was a rehash of bad ideas – high-risk pools, Health Savings Accounts — that would cause millions to lose health coverage, increase premiums for millions more and take us back to the days of coverage denials and skimpy plans. He also deflected questions about whether he would cut Medicaid and Medicare.

“Rep. Price said ‘People need to know that no rug will be pulled out from under them.’ Yet judging from his answers today, his assurances on that front appear hollow. Americans and our representatives in Congress deserve more specifics before his nomination moves forward. We hope he will provide more clarity and detail in his testimony before the Senate Finance committee.” 

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.