Ilana Fischer, Kathryn Brown, Nithya Vijayakumar Published 6:50 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2017 | Updated 6:56 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2017<\/p>\n
Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., right, accompanied by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.(Photo: Andrew Harnik, AP) <\/p>\n
Today, the Senate Finance Committee advanced President Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price (R-Ga), to a full Senate vote. Not a single Democrat was present. <\/p>\n
We as medical students at Prices alma mater, University of Michigan Medical School, share many of the concerns that prompted the boycott, which Democrats implemented following a reportfrom the Wall Street Journal that Price had falsely denied purchasing privileged stock options during his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee. As Senator Elizabeth Warren pointed out during the hearing, Prices broader decision to actively trade in health stocks while writing policy that could affect them raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and about [his] judgment. <\/p>\n
Prices failure to disclose his financial interests, along with his political record, concern us as medical students. His positions are inconsistent with what we are taught in our medical training. <\/p>\n
Roughly a year ago at a public University of Michigan event, Price expressed concern when asked about the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency. When I hear Trump saying things like Ill just do XYZ without seemingly any regard for the legislative branch, it gives me some thought. <\/p>\n
Just days into Trumps presidency it seems that Prices concerns were correct, and yet, he has remained silent after recent executive orders that demonstrate contempt for constitutional checks and balances. <\/p>\n
As future physicians, we are also concerned about Prices values. Prices political record demonstrates a disregard for patient welfare, which should be absolutely disqualifying for the position of Secretary of HHS. It also stands in stark contrast to what we are taught each day in medical school. <\/p>\n
Price opposes even modest restrictions on the sale of automatic weapons and ammunition designed to reduce gun-related deaths, despite research that the presence of a gun in the home greatly increases the risk of homicide and suicide. This evidence is strong enough that the relationship between firearms and suicide is tested on our exams. <\/p>\n
Price voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2013, and he has voted against legalizing gay marriage and legislation protecting LGBTQ victims of hate crimes. As third- and fourth-year students, we are taught to ask our patients if they feel safe at home, and how to connect them with resources if they are in a dangerous situation. <\/p>\n
Price is a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a fringe group that opposes Medicare and Medicaid has raised questions about mandatoryvaccinations. Price opposes federal funding for Planned Parenthood, one of the nations leading providers of screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted infections, and has repeatedly voted to limit access to vital reproductive health services, including contraception and abortion. Just this month, first year medical students learned about the importance of pelvic exams and cervical cancer screenings, and how to perform them. <\/p>\n
Price voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Every day we see patients who are afraid of reduced access to medications they need, high co-pays for life-saving procedures, and losing their health insurance entirely. Price has also remained silent on Trumps immigration ban, which has already prevented international physicians with valid visas from returning to the United States. <\/p>\n
Individually, many of these positions are in direct conflict with our medical education, and in aggregate, they are inconsistent with physician values and best practices to assure the health and well being of the patients we serve. Prices record reveals a politician bent on reducing federal regulation in healthcare and a disregard for the interests of patients. These actions violate the ethical responsibilities of a physician, which include ensuring that all people, including the elderly, veterans, women, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, victims of violence, and all patients who are economically and socially disadvantaged can easily access high-quality, affordable health care. Prices conflicts of interest and voting record contradict our values as future physicians and students of University of Michigan Medical School. We urge the Senate to reject Prices nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. <\/p>\n
The authors are joined by Ann Soliman, Hannah Cottrell, Whit Froehlich, also students at the University of Michigan Medical School, in signing on to this guest column. <\/p>\n
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