Senator Hassan to Oppose Congressman Tom Price’s Nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services

Senator Hassan to Oppose Congressman Tom Price's Nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON - Today, after Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee broke longstanding Committee rules and jammed through Congressman Price's nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement announcing that she will oppose Rep. Price's nomination:

"Between serious and mounting reports of Congressman Price's potential conflicts of interest and violation of the STOCK Act, his unwillingness to commit to protecting key Affordable Care Act provisions including Medicaid expansion that are helping to combat the substance abuse crisis, and his determination to undermine access to reproductive health care, I cannot support Congressman Price's nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

"The heroin, opioid and fentanyl crisis is the most urgent public health and public safety challenge facing New Hampshire, and I am concerned that during his hearing before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congressman Price refused to commit to continuing the requirement under the Affordable Care Act that health insurance companies must cover essential health benefits, including substance use disorder services. And his long record of voting to undermine a woman's right to make her own health care decisions should concern everyone who believes that women and families should have the opportunity to chart their own futures. I am also deeply troubled by the mounting reports on Congressman Price's potential violation of the STOCK Act, including recent reports suggesting that he received a private discount to purchase a health company stock while engaged in legislative efforts that would directly affect the company's financial interests.

"The American people deserve a Secretary of Health and Human Services who will help increase access to quality, affordable health care, not one who supports stripping it away by repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. Congressman Price has failed to prove he is fit to be that leader, and I will oppose his nomination."

During the HELP Committee confirmation hearing for Congressman Price, Senator Maggie Hasan pressed the Congressman on the harmful impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act on efforts to combat the substance abuse crisis and on his vote to allow employers to discriminate against women because of their reproductive health care decisions.

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