Tom Price, the prospective head of the US Department of Health and Human Services, goes in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today, NPR's Morning Edition reports.
It adds that while this isn't Price's official confirmation hearing, he will likely face some tough questions, particularly about healthcare reform, pharmaceutical and medical device companies stocks he traded, and drug prices.
Price, an orthopedic surgeon and Georgia Republican, has been an outspoken opponent of the Affordable Care Act, and NPR says senators will probably ask him about his own healthcare reform proposal and about President-elect Donald Trump's statements saying that there will be "insurance for everybody."
Price's stock trades will also be a likely source of questioning, NPR says, as there have been allegations that he bought shares in certain pharmaceutical or medical device companies before there was legislative action that boosted their stock prices. A transition spokesperson has denied these allegations, NPR adds.
Drug prices are also likely to come up, as Trump has said that he would have Medicare negotiating for better rates with pharmaceutical, something it is currently not allowed to do.
According to NPR other lines of questions will likely touch on Medicare reform and Price's plan to retain an interest in his Atlanta medical practice.