WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed announced that he will vote against Congressman Tom Price (R-GA), an advocate for Medicare privatization, who President Trump nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Congressman Price currently serves as the House Budget Committee Chairman, where he has backed budgets and policies that would end the Medicare guarantee to seniors and transform it into a voucher-like program. 

Senator Reed stated:

“I strongly oppose Congressman Price’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.  He has the wrong prescription for seniors and our health care system. 

“Congressman Price has advocated for policies that will shift a bigger burden onto seniors and working families.

“If he follows through with his plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and make unprecedented changes to Medicare and Medicaid, it could be hazardous to all Americans’ health.  His proposals would turn back the clock and go back to a time when insurance companies could deny coverage to those who need it the most and charge older Americans and women more for coverage.  In addition to repealing the ACA, he has proposed cutting Medicare by $500 billion and raising the eligibility age.  He has also proposed cutting $2 trillion from Medicaid, shifting costs to states and leaving seniors and working families without coverage.

“Taken together, the nominations of Congressman Price to lead HHS and Congressman Mick Mulvaney to head the Office of Management and Budget could cut a significant hole in our nation’s social safety net. 

“I will vigorously oppose any attempts to gut programs that working families and our seniors rely on.”