Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), President-elect Donald TrumpDonald TrumpChrissy Teigen mocks Trump claim that celebs are clamoring to attend inauguration Shutting out refugees is easy. Trump must also stop illegal immigration. Dem senator: Trump has ‘the maturity of a five-year-old’ MORE’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, has traded more than $300,000 in shares of health industry companies since 2012, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
In the past four years, Price has traded stocks in about 40 companies dealing in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. During this session of Congress he traded stocks in 12 companies while also sponsoring nine health bills and co-sponsoring 35 others.
The companies include Aetna, Pfizer, Amgen and Bristol Meyers Squibb.
The Journal report, which was published Friday, is based on a review of Price's financial disclosure forms.
A spokesman for Price and the Trump transition team told the Journal that “Dr. Price takes his obligation to uphold the public trust very seriously,” and that he has “complied fully with all applicable laws and ethics rules governing his personal finances.”
If confirmed as head of Health and Human Services (HHS), Price would have to sell off his stock in any companies that would be regulated by the department or recuse himself from any issues concerning those companies.
The spokesman said that Price would comply with the law if he is confirmed.