Tom Price is right for HHS

President-elect Donald Trump could not have nominated a better person to head up the Department of Health and Human Services as its next secretary than Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.).

Price has just the right pedigree, experience and temperament to lead HHS through the many challenges it faces including, but not limited to, the repeal and replacement of ObamaCare.

{mosads}Price is an orthopedic surgeon and a congressman who has served for more than a decade. He is currently chairman of the House Budget Committee and also serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, serving there on the Health and Human Resources Subcommittees. He has practical medical, legislative and budget experience.

Trump ran on the promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare and Price is just the person to get that done. He will have powerful partners in Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to do just that.

We will get a glimpse into what is likely to come if we look at the op-ed written by Price in Townhall.com on Nov. 1, 2016, just days before Election Day. He set forth the following:

Under our plan, Americans would have more choices and the ability to pick a health insurance plan that meets their needs and those of their family. We would clear out the bureaucratic impediments to innovation and a more competitive marketplace while giving individuals and small businesses the ability to pool together and gain the purchasing power of millions.

We solve the insurance challenges of portability and pre-existing conditions by applying the same coverage rules that already exist in the employer-sponsored market — real, sustainable protections that mean no one can be priced out of the health insurance market if they have a bad diagnosis or injury. And, for those on a government health care program, we offer reforms that will empower states with the flexibility to best serve their Medicaid populations while offering Medicare beneficiaries more choices that will help save, strengthen, and secure this vital program in the years to come.

Our patient-centered solutions put patients, families, and doctors in charge of health care decisions. Washington has tried the bureaucratic way, and it is failing. It’s time to try a Better Way.

The Republicans will not make the same mistake Democrats made when they came to power in 2009. Democrats at that time controlled the White House, the Senate and the House and jammed through ObamaCare with not one Republican in support.

Now Republicans are in control of the White House and the Congress and in order to repeal and replace ObamaCare, there needs to be bipartisan support.

I am sure that President Trump will do what President Obama should have done and that is to make the repeal and replacement open to discussion, input and compromise. He will encourage the relevant committees of the House and Senate to weigh in and will give all members of the House and Senate the ability to digest and understand what they will be called to vote on.

In addition, I believe Trump will take the time to explain his actions to the American People as will a Price, Ryan and McConnell.

Price is just what the doctor ordered to provide fair, affordable and available healthcare for all.

Bradley A. Blakeman is professor of public policy, politics and international affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies and was a member of President George W. Bush’s senior White House staff from 2001 to 2004. He is also a frequent contributor to Fox News and Fox Business Channel. Follow him on Twitter @BlakemanB.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.