An additional wave of arrests, and an Antidefamation League offices. Some reports have been over 100 bomb threats going into jewish institutions since the start of this year alone. As the president said the beginning of the joint address, where countries are united in condemning evil in all its forms. We can now be the latest antisomatic and hatred in its strongest terms and its incredibly saddening that i have to share these disturbing reports with you and i share the president thoughts that we dont continue to have to share these reports with you. But as long as they will, as long as they continue, we will continue to condemn them and look at ways that we can. Now onto the news of the day, you saw president truck yesterday delivering two of his most significant campaign promises, protecting country against radical islamic terrorism and repealing and replacing obamacare with education, sensor alternatives. We talked a lot about the executive order protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States yesterday and so on to obamacare. Id like to introduce secretary of health and Human Services doctor tom price to come up and talk a little bit about plans to repeal and replace obamacare, doctor price. Thanks sean. Good afternoon. First let me just share with you what an honor it is to serve as the secretary of health and Human Services. Im the third position out of 23 individuals who had the privilege is serving as secretary of health and Human Services. In the nation our department is to improve the health and safety of the American People and we take that position very seriously. And for Many Americans right now, their ability to gain healthcare for Health Coverage is a real challenge. For most americans, they receive their Health Coverage through their employer, its about 100 saw 75 million fulltime of those individuals who see no change other than there will be a penalty for not purchasing coverage. For the folks in the medicare system there will be no changes at all, the current law. Are talking about those people in the individual and Small Group Markets. The moms and pops, people to run the Corner Grocery store, the corner cleaners, those individuals are having huge challenges gaining care and gaining coverage and then medicaid is a program that by and large has decreased the ability for folks to gain access to care and we want to make certain we address that. This is about patient. Its not about money, this is not about health, this is about patients. And sadly, the costs are going up in the all group markets, the access is going up and its only getting worse, you know the story. Premiums increase 25 percent over the last year on average. Arizona had an increase of 116. Deductibles are going up for many folks. If you are a mom or dad and you make 40, 50,000 deductible in this market, that individual and small group oftentimes is eight, 10, 12,000 a year. What that means is you got an insurance card but you dont get care. Because you cant afford the duck deductible and we know this happens from talking to the folks out there trying to provide care. A third of the counties in the United States, one third of the counties have only one insurer offering coverage on the exchange. Five states only have one insurer on the exchange. In short, it is not a choice. We need to make certain we correct that. In tennessee this morning it was announced there are a number of counties that have no Stores Offering insurance on the exchange. Insurers are leaving the market. Last year there were 232 insurers providing coverage on the exchange, now there are 167, thats a loss of 30 percent in one year alone and all of this is that patients are not getting the care they need. The most that we have as our guiding start, our affordability. We want a system thats affordable for everybody. We need a system thats accessible for everybody, a system of the highest quality, assistant that incentivizes innovation in Healthcare System, a system that empowers patients through transparency and accountability. The president spoke last week to address congress and laid out his principal. First, you wanted to make certain those with preexisting illness and industry were not priced out of the market. Nobody ought to lose their coverage because diagnosis. In terms of affordability, Health Accounts are growing choices for patients is incredibly important, tax credits that allow individuals to be able to present the coverage that they want, not that the Government Forces them to buy but weve always talked about in terms of what kind of reforms need to be put in place that we need to equalize the tax treatment for the purchase of coverage. Those again in the employersponsored market get a tax benefit for buying Health Coverage. Those folks out there in the individual Small Group Market, no tax benefit and thats what this plan would do. Flexibility is incredibly important that we allow the states to be the ones that are putting Health Coverage and have the flexibility in the Medicaid Program to respond to their vulnerable populations. The president mentioned its important that the practical defensive medicine wastes billions of dollars every year and we need to make certain that we are addressing that as well. The president also talked about an appropriate transition to this new phase of healthcare for our country and thats important so that nobody falls through the cracks. Buying across state lines, buying insurance across state lines, the president talked about this on the campaign over and over. American people understand the common sense nature of purchasing across state lines and increases competition and we need to make sure that happens and addressing the increasing drug prices. There are three phases to this plan, one is the bill thatasto fairly well, there were 192 specific rules put out as they relate to obamacare, over 5000 letters of guidance in the life and we are going to go through every single one of those to make certain that they help patients and we need to continue them, they harm patients or increased costs, then obviously they need to be addressed. And theres other legislation that needs to be addressed can be done through the reconciliation process sothe goal of all this is better healthcare. Patients and families and doctors are making medical decisions. And we commend the house for the introduction of the bill yesterday and we look forward to working with all individuals in this process and i look forward to your questions. With the group to conserve the group and action, what does it say about legislation for groups that are already out with opposition . I think its the beginning of the process and we look forward to working with them and others to make certain again, we come up with that process aligned with the principles that we defined, that they actually adhere to or agree with as well and that is that we need a system thats affordable for folks, thats accessible for individuals, that of the highest quality and incentivizes innovation and that empowers patients and we look forward to working with them through this process. The country said today that americans pay for healthcare and they make these choices. Does the administration agree with that, will americans under this plan, will they need to make ratify other goods . Whats happening right now is the americans are having to sacrifice in order to purchase coverage and as i mentioned, many individuals cant afford the coverage that i have right now so they got insurance card that they dont have care. Our desire is is to drive down healthcare costs for everybody and the way that you do that is to increase choices for folks, increase competition, return the regulation on healthcare which is at the state level, not at the federal level. All these things e cost of healthcare and Health Coverage and that will allow folks to begin to get the purchases they want. Yes, sir. First it has to do with guarantees you may administration, going first in legislation. Can you guarantee that whatever legislation comes through the president s desk will allow individualsto keep their doctor and the second care is can you also guarantee that Health Care Premiums for individuals come down with this new legislation. Are remarkably important question because as youll recall the promise from the last administration was if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. Both of those promises turned out to be not true. We think its incredibly important for the American People to be able to sel the position and place where they are treated in themselves. The government ought not to and so our goal is , ceain viduals ha opportunity to select their physician. Beeve stronglyhat through this whole process and that it takes effect so that we will see a decrease in not only the premiums but induals wi see a decrease in the cost of healthcare for folks. Remember, the Previous Administration made a promise that you see an increase in 2500 on average and families , what theyve seen is an increase of 2500 or 3000 and were going to go in the other direction, were going to go in a direction that empowers patients. Secretary, you are quite a tait it other entitlement very similar to the entitlement of obamacare. How do you convince people that its going to take tax credits to make this work, and move forward . We have a lot of opposition. Its all about patients. In order to provide transition in order to make it so nobody falls through the cracks, we got a system that allows for individuals to gain the coverage they want. And we the conservatives and others have said for a long time that we believe its important they equalize the tax treatment for those purchasing coverage, gaining through their employers and those that are not. The tax credit is the opportunity to be able to equalize that tax treatment, folks have talked about this for many years sothat there is not a distortion in the tax code or who is able to gain a benefit and purchase coverage or not. You were talking about making sure the last administration focused on making sure the underserved were part of the equation. What is the safeguard you have to make sure people not only on the tax incentives but for the underserved, many of whom are now inprograms. This is extremely important as well and the Current System as you likely note, for those who are vulnerable in our population especially in medicaid, this is this is a system thats broken. Youve got a third of the physicians in this country, one third of the doctors that would be eligible to see medicaid who are seeing medicaid expansion. Not because they forgot to take care of patients, its because the rules in place make it too onerous or too difficult for them to see medical patients so we believe its important for states to have that flexibility to fashion a program for their Vulnerable Program bonds to that population to give them the authority, then the choice, then the opportunity to gain coverage and the care that they believe most appropriate. Is there some type of punishment or type of piece that youre going to put in place to make sure that they follow through on your end . Absolutely, its accountability drop the plan that we have that would allow for the secretary and the department to be certain that the individuals that we believe need to be cared for our being cared for at the appropriate level. But people, this is a partnership. Its about patients and partnership. Previous administrations tended to make it about government, we believe its about partnership, we want to partner with every person who wants to make certain that we allow the kind of choices and equality. The president tweeted earlier today, he described this as our wonderful new health care bill. Theres a little confusion, is this represent the administrations bill . And is there anything in this bill the administration cannot support western mark x this is been a work in progress, going on for over a year. Work that i had the privilege of participating in in the house of representatives in the last congress. It was open and transparent and we invited folks in to give their ideas and tens if not hundreds of people had input into that process. This grew out of that and over the past number of weeks weve been having conversations with folks on the hill and in the house and senate and other stakeholders and so this is a work product that is a result of all that process. The president and the Administration Support this step in what we believe is the right direction, a step that reveals obamacare and gets us moving in the direction of those principles that i outlined. You support everything in the bill sitting on the table . This is a bill in progress and we will work with the senate, its a legislative process that occurs. We pointed out that the bill is on the table there, as you will see this bill right here was the bill that was introduced in 2009 by the Previous Administration, notice how thick that is. Some of you will recall i turned the pages and went through that legislation in youtube, the pilot on the right is the current bill and what it means is that we are making certain that the process, that the decisions that will be made are not going tobe made by the federal government, theyre going to be made by patients and families and doctors. Given the opportunity that brought up today, can this already be salvaged in your view . You know what happens to these things, you start the starting point, people engage in again involved in the process, sometimes to a greater degree, nothing focuses the mind like a bill thats currently on the table and is a work in progress. And we will work through it. This is an important process to be had. The American People have said to their elected leaders that the obamacare process for coverage and care is not working, thats what they said. We believe its important to respond to the American People and providing Healthcare System that allows the purchase coverage and care that they desire. You said in your letter to the house that necessary appropriate changes might need to be made for the bill at the president s desk so what specific changes is the white house and Administration Working for. There are three different phases to this process, one is this bill, thislegislation thats working through. Under the rules of reconciliation, that tends to me that only certain things you can do from a budgetary standpoint on spending or revenue. There are, you cant do in this bill. There are those that you plan on doing in phase 2 which is the regulatory portion and then in phase 3 which is another piece of legislation that would be going through the house and senate with a majority , super majority in the senate. That process will incorporate all of the kinds of things that we believe are absolutely necessary to reconstitute that individual in Small Group Market and to get us in a positionagain where patients and families and doctors are making decisions. Can you guarantee that this plan will not have an impact on the millions of americans losing Health Insurance . What i can say is the goal and desire of the individuals on the hill is that this does not increase the cost. The elements of the bill, i have questions about how they can work in this process , medicaid, per capita walkins in thestate , doesnt that fundamentally different from the obamacare regime in terms of the state enactment and the second point is why doesnt this bill do away with Offering Community ratings for obamacare . As a per capita, medicaid is a system that doesnt work for patients. Because you have. There who need care, who need to seeparticular physicians who are able to see. All americans should be saddened by this situation that they have when they are patient up there, we believe one of the keys to providing appropriate care in the medicaid population is allowing the state to have the flexibility to address that medicaid population, the naked population is for different demographic groups, those who are disabled, those who are seniors, healthy moms and kids by and large, those are the four main characteristics and we the federal government forced states mostly to take care of those individuals exactly the same way. If its described back to the folks back home on main street, they would think that doesnt make sense at all, you need a Program Different for the healthy moms and kids to respond to their needs different than the whole two are disabled and seniors. So what we believe is appropriate is you say to the states, you know your population best, you know best how to care or your vulnerable population, we got a lot to make certain that you do so, you know how to do that and that will decrease the cost markedly in the Medicaid Program. It will make a significant amount of money, not targeting too much care but wasting it because its inefficient and theres an abuse in the system so in terms of cost sharing, i think the costsharing measures are being addressed and its important that we run through that process. This is the process where we felt the Previous Administration was spending money that they didnt have the authority to spend in congress is working through that make certain people are holders of the Affordable Care act to spend money in this nation and congress and the United States expedites that authority. How do you feel about the label trump care. Thats not a description for it. I prefer to call it patient care. This is about patients for the end of the day. This is about appearances, this is about the patients. The patients in this nation, especially those in the Small Group Market. I had the privilege of going to cincinnati last week with the Vice President to a Small Business roundtable. One of the business owners, one of the Small Business owners said he had 18 employees last year at this time. This year he had 15 employees, not because he doesnt have to work but because of the cost of healthcare for those individuals forced him to let three people go. Now, if youre being forced to let three people go because the federal government has put in place regulations that make it impossible for folks in the individual and Small Group Market to provide coverage for their employees. And its not working for people. If we focus on the patient, call it patient care. If you focus on the patients, you get the right answer. Theres a major point of concern for this what was one of the Obamacare Repeal and replace is that its missing a measure that would allow healthcare across the line. The president said this morning that that would be in either phase 2 or three. Is that something that you believe the president could do through executive action . Is that something you believe could be by state ability . There are aspects to the purchase across state lines that will allow individuals to gain the choice they want. This right be able to be done on a regulatory or rules standpoint. Some of it will require legislation and thats where you are going to need the assistance of our friends on the other side of the island. The American People have demanded they be able to purchase coverage across state lines, coverage they want for themselves so whether its through health plans that allow individuals in Small Business groups like the fellow i mentioned to pool together nationally to be to purchase coverage or whether its mom and dad who dont pay coverage to their employer through something called the individual health will that allows individuals to pull together or the purchasing Coverage Even though they are not otherwise economically aligned. It allows people, there are 18 Million People in that market, that would allow those individuals to purchase coverage and get the purchasing power of millions. Thats a huge power and authority we want to put in the hands of people, we want to put in the hands of patients and some of that may require legislation. Mister secretary, thank you. A few questions but first, congressman of new york has said the issue of denying federal funds to planned parenthood could separate it from whatever healthcare bill finally emerges from congress by the president. Is it that the administrations position as well . My second question is earlier, people who had their healthcare plans canceled when they thought they could keep it. Greater access for Womens Health care in greater of facilities across this land. They actually proposed more money for Womens Health care than currently exists. So i think they are working their best to address that issue. Issue. In terms of whether not old plans that were available before might be available, absolutely. And we believe that the opportunity to provide a robust market, robust choices for individuals across this land will be secured. And again that thats one of the keys to bring down the premium costs, the cost for Health Coverage. We are excited about that and look forward to that coming to pass. If the new plan calls for repealing the Revenue Generation taxability of the keeping entitlements, i was at sustainable . Thats the work somebody mention over here, the Congressional Budget Office score. Once targets received this court then it will be working through that to make certain in fact it is fiscally responsible. Imagine if you would a system where the incentives within the system are all to drive down costs, to provide greater choices in competition for folks and respond to the specific needs of patients. And in so doing what you do is get a much more efficient system for the provision and the delivery of health care. Its a system we dont have right now because the Previous Administration felt that the government ought to do all of this. We have seen what came about when the federal government does all of that. That is come increasing premiums, increasing deductibles, decreasing choices. You have a card message of insurance and you walk in and you cant afford what it is that is trying come for the doctors trying to take care of you. So this is not a system that is working for folks in that individual and Small Group Market and in the exchanges. May complain obamacare resulted in higher wait times of emergency rinse. Will this new one of the things of predisposition said was that theyre going to be able to drive folks away from one of the most expensive areas for the provision of health care, and that is the emergencies room. In fact, they did just the opposite. Much of that is because again the rules of the regulations they put in place. So from our perspective we believe that if individuals are able to purchase the kind of coverage that they want then they will have access to the kind of doctors and other providers that they desire and wont need to be able to be seen in the emergency room. They will already have the care. Emergency room ought to be for emergencies, not for the standard care that individuals tend to receive right now. We believe if you put in place the right system, then emergency room and Emergency Physicians will be able to have the opportunity to care for those individuals that are properly present to their department spin im interested in following up on your comment, no one voted anything that violates their conscience. Federal funding cant be used for abortion but are you saying the administration has its mission of provisions of Birth Control as we see in Health Centers . Secondly, is the administration looking to actively withhold funding to planned parenthood if they continue to provide abortions as has been reported . We are working through all the speeches. Many of those within the rulemaking process and we are working to that. So thats not a part of this piece of legislation right here spirit at you on Birth Control and access to it . When your talk about Womens Health care, you say you want to expand. What were doing as this is working to the rules and regulations to see with the previous immunization was, see how they did whether not a needs to be addressed with the understand what we believe is important we would look at the rules and regulations is to define whether not that rule or regulation helps patients or and decreases costs, or harms patients and increases cost. If it does the latter, then we need to do away with it. If it does the form at there we. What was the issue of conscience you were talking about . To make certain individuals in the market are not forced to do things that violate their conscience. [inaudible] have been waiting for this new bill under president tropics of any message for them . Well, i think that this is the culmination of years of work. Its the culmination of years of concern and frustration by the American People. They knew at the time that the previous bill, previous law passed that it wasnt going to help them. They knew that the costs were going to go. In fact, we predicted at the time the cost would go up and that access would go down. So this is the culmination of years of hard work by the electorate, by the citizens of this country to say that we want a system can that respects patients and families and doctors in these decisions. One more. The president tweeted earlier today that hes working on a plan to have drug prices come down by can you tell us about what that plan is going to become what it might rule out as part of these faces . Second question, the bills also include tax breaks for insurance executives that make more than 500,000. We. [inaudible] im not aware of that. I look into it. Drug pricing is really important. So many individuals are now having significant difficulty being able to afford the medications that they been prescribed. Whether its come and its not able to be addressed specifically in this phase one because its not a remedy or spin the issue for the federal government. So it cant be in this phase one. In phase two and three which may be concrete along with this phase one, but in phase two and three that look for to bringing solutions to solve the remarkable challenge that the pt of across this land with the increase in price of drugs. Ive got to run. Youve got a guy writer who will answer all the rest of the questions. Thank you so much. God bless you. Thank you, dr. Price. Let me just cant continue on. The bottom line i think that te sector is making is that obamacare sought to cover 20 20y people and process it drove up cost for everybody whether not you are in the exchange enough. Most people get entrance to their employers. Older populations get their health just to medicare. Lowincome public gets their health care through medicaid, and veterans either insurance through tricare. What were talking about is a very defined amount of individuals that were trying to address and not affect the entire system. Obamacare turn our Health Care System on its head to address the pool of individuals who dont fall in any of the buckets of major our plan w were talkig about with the house will ensure those individuals receive the care that they need if you want an affordable cost while not sending rates skyrocketing. Obamacare wasnt overcome to get a bill that serb special interests are not the American People. Hes over 974 pages that were passed and they were told we had to read them are filled with carveouts by over 1 billion f Health Care Related to lobbying that was spent on the view that obamacare was drafted. Our plan are few pages, 123, smaller, so far we are at 57 for the repeal plan and 66 pages for the replacement portion. We will undo this and remember, half of it, 57 of the pages, are the repeal part. When you get out to our plan is 66 pages long, affably actually even have there. We will undo the messages as replace it with a plan to return helped her back to the patient. As the president outlined in his joint address, he expects five Core Principles to guide congress to this helped her progress. First, to the working people with preexisting conditions have access to coverage. Second, ensure stable transition for americans currently enrolled in the exchanges. Third, divide more equitable tax credits for people who already dont receive tax it Vantage Health care from their employer. I know that something that secretary price is talking about the vast number of people will get the insurance through their employer. Theyre getting it taxfree. They are not taxed on that benefit. Which is something that is not afforded to people who are in the individual market who either run a Small Business or a sole proprietor. Fourth, we should expand the power of Health Savings accounts to return control to americans over there health care dollar and decisions. They should be able to choose a plan to want, not the plan is for something by government. And finally, we should give our state governs the resources and flexibility need with medicare to make sure no one is left out. This is the obamacare replacement plan that edwin has been asking for. The plan the president went on and the plan that will ultimately save the system. Its also a culmination of the years dedicated work and careful thought by republicans to find replacement of the best undo the damage thats been caused by obamacare while ensuring that all americans and peace of mind during this stable transition period. These are the principles conservatives have been fighting for for years. President trump looks for to continue the dialogue between the administration and hill and the Health Care System. Watson important member is will not be able to do this in one bill. As a second mentioned there are two other steps as well that allows to get more of the president s plane accomplished after we passed this first important major step. The second piece is underway and thats what secretary price can do through executive action. He has rolled out a handful of important actions including the major marketplace stabilization regulation to help bring stability to the collapsing insurance market. You continue to enact a number policy changes in the regulatory and Administration Space to achieve what the first step cannot because of the nature of reconciliation. The third piece of executing that president S Health Care plan is, require 60 votes in legislation may be, maybe more dependable what we can do and when. Thats how will move forward on the policies of purchasing across state lines, lowering a drug prices which just came up and repealing any of obamacare premiums spiking interns market distortions that cant be done through this current bill. Yesterday in addition to speaking with israeli Prime Minister netanyahu, the president made several calls with Prime Minister of japan beat and south korean acting president. During both of these calls the president reiterated United States ironclad commitment to stand with japan and south korea in the face of the serious threat posed by north korea. He also emphasized the administration taking steps to further enhance our ability to deter and defend against north koreas Ballistic Missile using a full range of United States military capabilities. Moving on to todays schedule, this morning the present had a call with the president of kenya curriculum to read up for the call soon if its not already out. The president and first lady announced the official reopening of public tours here at the white house. You may think the president stopped by to surprise, greet some of the first visitors on their tour. We are looking forward to welcoming the people back to the, american be back to what his affection referred to as the peoples house. House. We are the world on the executive residence in office a penn state that also serves as the museum free to the people. Visiting the white house is an experience uniquely american and we encourage guests of all ages to come visit the white house, their house. Also this month the secretary of commerce wilbur ross elder press Conference Announcing that Chinese Corporation has agreed to a record high combined criminal and civil penalty of 1. 19 billion after the company illegally shipped Telecommunications Equipment to iran and north korea in violation of sanctions. This civil penalty is the largest ever imposed by the Commerce Department bureau of industry and security, and pending approval from a federal judge, the combined penalties between the Commerce Department department of justice and the department of treasury would be the largest fine and forfeiture ever levied by the u. S. Government in such a case. This sediment tells the world that the days of u. S. Sanctions regime or violating u. S. Trade laws are over. President compassed me to ending the disrespect of american laws and american workers. So back to the schedule for a second. This morning the president received his daily intelligence briefing. He had lunch with senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina who will be continue to be an important partner as a president nominee for the supreme court, judge gorsuch begins confirmation process in the next couple of weeks. At this bump the presence leading a discussion on immigration with senator cotton and senator perdue and members of the white house senior staff. The present in the center suspected discussed the meritbased Immigration Reform of the present invention at last weeks joint address. Later the second the president will lead a meeting with the house deputy with team focused on repeal and replace of obamacare. There will be a pool spray at the top of me. They gather time is 320ton electric the president will meet with that Richard Trumka the present of the aflcio. They are expected to discuss importance of investing in our countrys infrastructure and renegotiating trade agreements like nafta. They will be we will have further details on it. This eating the present will visit with a group of boy scouts were in washington to participate in a tradition of sharing scouting achievements, looking at a point to let you know the president will be welcoming at least two foreign leaders in the coming weeks and expect additional announcements of additional leaders later but first, next week chancellor merkel of germany will visit the white house and the following week the president will welcome Prime Minister of iraq. With that, i will take your questions. Jonathan . Thank you. Its been a full three days since the president said that president obama had his wires tapped come his phone step that trump tower in those three days as the white house come up with any evidence whatsoever to prove that allegation . I address this multiple times yesterday. The president put out a statement sunday saying we would have no further, and we were asking the house and Senate Intelligence committees to look into this concern and report back spirit can you just ask the fbi director . Look, the president has not and i think weve gone back and forth with you guys. I think theres clearly a role that congress can play that oversight capability. They made it very clear that the resources and processes in place. Place. I think thats appropriate place for this to handle. If were to start to get involved you didn then write ss about how were getting involved. Its a nowin situation. I think the smartest and most deliberative way to address the situation to ask the house and the Senate Intelligence committees were already in process of looking into this to look into this and other leaks of classified information that are troubling to our Nations National security. As the president said in a statement on sunday, we believe take you live now to the senate gaveling back in