{"id":8637,"date":"2017-01-20T04:12:34","date_gmt":"2017-01-20T04:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=8637"},"modified":"2017-01-20T23:58:01","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T23:58:01","slug":"price-author-of-long-proposal-to-replace-obamacare-short-on-specifics-in-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/price-author-of-long-proposal-to-replace-obamacare-short-on-specifics-in-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Price, author of long proposal to replace Obamacare, short on specifics in hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Miranda Yaver<\/a>, Yale University<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It is hardly unusual for Cabinet nominees to leave more questions than answers after their confirmation hearings. Yet for the millions whose lives hang in the balance depending on the future of the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Tom Price\u2019s (R-Ga.) answers were surprisingly vague on Jan. 18 \u2013 especially coming from a man who has authored a detailed, 242-page replacement<\/a> for the ACA, more commonly called Obamacare. <\/p>\n

Price appeared<\/a> before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for confirmation as secretary of health and human services, which oversees and administers Obamacare.<\/p>\n

His hearing came only a day after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released a report<\/a> on the economic impact of a repeal of the ACA. Price has consistently voted for repeal. <\/p>\n

The CBO projected that in the first year of health plans following an ACA repeal, 18 million would become uninsured, with that number growing to 32 million becoming uninsured in 2026. It also forecast those who do not become uninsured will face higher premiums. <\/p>\n

With Republicans so far failing to coalesce around a single replacement plan, the report provided added support for those claiming that a repeal would be unwise if not reckless. Price also voted with the House Republicans to move forward with the repeal, without a viable alternative to preserve the health care gains that were made under the act. <\/p>\n

Thus, Price\u2019s answers mattered to millions. As a health policy scholar, I think it is important to analyze what he said and what he didn\u2019t say. I\u2019ll also offer some questions for his second hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 24 before the Senate Finance Committee<\/p>\n

While he is most likely a shoo-in, it is vital nonetheless to understand his answers so we can gain insight into the direction the vast Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is heading.<\/p>\n

\u2018Greater choices and options\u2019<\/h2>\n

When pushed on policy specifics, Price often punted by saying Congress would provide the policy details that he, as secretary of HHS, would administer. This is despite the significant policy impact he would have with respect to the nation\u2019s health care delivery. <\/p>\n

He did not commit to protecting those with preexisting conditions. He did not list the essential health benefits to be covered. Instead, he said, \u201cI think it\u2019s absolutely imperative that we have a system in place that works for patients.\u201d He reiterated an interest in moving toward \u201cgreater choices and options for them to gain the kind of coverage they want for themselves and their families.\u201d <\/p>\n

While such goals are optimal, to be sure, Price rarely offered anything more concrete. He also did not explain how that lined up with his 242-page plan, which called for repeal of the ACA and a new plan based on tax credits and savings plans. <\/p>\n

No one challenged him on the fact that millions of consumers believe the ACA is a \u201csystem in place that works for patients.\u201d<\/a> And, of course, he wasn\u2019t going to acknowledge that.<\/p>\n

Is health care a right? He didn\u2019t say<\/h2>\n
\n \"\"
\n Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) questioning Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.).<\/span>
\n Carolyn Kaster\/AP<\/span><\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While many issues divide the parties, health care is perhaps unique in the extent to which it is so deeply human and, in all too many cases, life or death. As such, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)<\/a> raised the question that dominated the Democratic Party primary: Is health care a right? <\/p>\n

Price avoided the yes-or-no question<\/a>, instead saying that he looked forward to working with Congress to ensure \u201caccess\u201d to care. He also answered by saying that the United States is a \u201ccompassionate society,\u201d at which point Sanders interrupted and said \u201cno, we are not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Planned Parenthood questions<\/h2>\n

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)<\/a> was the main one to press Price on the matters of access to contraception and other women\u2019s health services. Price has championed the defunding of Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that no federal funds can be used for abortion services anywhere. Many want to defund Planned Parenthood because it offers abortion services at some centers.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the Guttmacher Institute reported recently<\/a> that in 332 of the 491 counties in which Planned Parenthood clinics are located, Planned Parenthood served at least half of the women receiving contraception from safety-net health centers.<\/p>\n

Despite empirical evidence to support that Planned Parenthood expands the availability of contraception, Price would not in the hearing commit to maintaining coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods.<\/p>\n

Questions for second hearing<\/h2>\n

Price acknowledged that these are important issues, which one might expect from a nominee of the federal department charged with overseeing them. Yet his answers were vague at best. He proclaimed a commitment to access to the care that people want, though he often conflated access and affordable care that people ultimately can receive. He articulated goals and interests, but he declined to define them and how he would achieve them. <\/p>\n

Indeed, many Democrats on the HELP committee worked to point out that the Republican Party\u2019s proposals are a far cry from Mr. Trump\u2019s recent claim to support \u201cinsurance for everybody,\u201d a proposal from which Trump staffers Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer both quickly backed away. <\/p>\n

Some spotlight was notably occupied by reports of his trading in stocks<\/a> of companies that were the subject of legislation that he introduced in Congress. <\/p>\n

Price traded US$300,000 in health stocks since 2012<\/a>, which Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and others pointed to. Price dismissed this point on the grounds that he worked through a broker and was unaware of the fact.<\/p>\n

Given the Republican majority in Congress, the prospects for confirmation of Mr. Trump\u2019s nominees are quite good. <\/p>\n

However, though Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) voted with the Republican majority in its first step toward the repeal of the ACA, she expressed dismay<\/a> over the the Republicans\u2019 tying the act\u2019s repeal to defunding of Planned Parenthood.<\/p>\n

Given Price\u2019s rather extreme views on this subject, her vote may be one for which to look out, though his ultimate confirmation is likely.<\/p>\n

He is scheduled to appear before the Senate Finance Committee Jan. 24. Here are some questions I\u2019d suggest that the senators ask:<\/p>\n