Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on the nomination of Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services:
"I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Representative Tom Price to discuss his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in addition to having the opportunity to question him at a hearing of the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). During our meeting, I expressed to him the significant concerns I have about his nomination. Based on his record in the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Price has supported legislation which would end the guaranteed benefit of Medicare and end Medicaid as we know it through drastic cuts that would adversely impact nursing home care, health care for vulnerable children and people with disabilities.
"According to the Wall Street Journal, Representative Price “traded more than $300,000 in shares of health-related companies over the past four years while sponsoring and advocating legislation that potentially could affect those companies’ stocks.” And CNN has reported that Representative Price, “purchased shares in a medical device manufacturer days before introducing legislation that would have directly benefited the company.” These reports raise substantial questions regarding potential conflicts of interest and, possibly, a violation of the law.
"While I intend to closely follow Representative Price’s answers to questions during the Finance Committee hearing and his responses to questions submitted afterward, I am concerned that he will use his position as HHS Secretary to pursue the same radical policies that he has pursued as House Budget Chair. These policies would harm Pennsylvania children, seniors and those with disabilities."
