AHCA ‘excited’ about Trump’s HHS, CMS appointments

Admittedly shocked at election results that places Donald Trump in the White House and maintains Republican control of both houses of Congress, Clifton J. Porter II, senior vice president of government relations at the American Health Care Association (AHCA), said Tuesday he is optimistic that the new administration and Congress will put an end to many of the “mandatory, burdensome" federal regulations that have plagued the industry in recent years.

In a special conference call with reporters, Porter welcomed the announcement by President-elect Trump that House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.), a physician, has been nominated as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health policy consultant Seema Verma will head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Verma is president, founder and CEO of SVC, Inc., a health policy consulting firm.

“We’ve had a long and productive relationship with Mr. Price over the years,” Porter said. “We’re excited about him leading HHS for a myriad of reasons,” which, he said, include "his experience as a physician who understands what it takes to deliver quality care."

“Both of these nominees will be proactive voices who understand the health care system. Price’s role in actually delivering care…will add insight in that role that we’ve not had in the past.”

Other upcoming issues impacting the long-term/post-acute care industry Porter discussed include possible changes with the Medicare Innovation Center, injunction on the arbitration ban in the CMS Final Rule and hope for a favorable resolution of the value-based purchasing bill. 

Robert Gatty

Robert Gatty has more than 40 years of experience in journalism, politics and business communications and is the founder and president of G-Net Strategic Communications based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He can be reached at bob@gattyedits.com.