Trump's Picks for HHS and CMS Signal a Move to Barrel through ACA Repeal and Replacement

President-elect Donald Trump's selections for the top healthcare posts in the federal government signal an appetite to move aggressively to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, overhaul Medicare and give states more control over Medicaid. 

U.S. Rep. Tom Price, a fierce ACA critic, was nominated to be HHS secretary, and Seema Verma, who helped craft Indiana's conservative Medicaid expansion, was nominated to lead the CMS. Both nominations are subject to Senate confirmation. 

Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, currently has a powerful position as chairman of the House Budget Committee. The Republican is also on the Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Verma, a consultant, worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, on Healthy Indiana 2.0, a Medicaid program that requires monthly contributions to health savings accounts.

"Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," Trump said in a statement.