Dr. Heidi Overton declined to affirm that healthcare is a human right during a heated confirmation hearing with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Thursday. The nominee, who is set to replace Dr. Marty Makary as Food and Drug Administration commissioner, repeatedly avoided the yes-or-no answer the Vermont independent sought while discussing access to care and drug pricing.
Overton, a physician who completed her residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, joined the America First Policy Institute before being selected by President Donald Trump to lead the FDA. Makary resigned earlier this year amid disagreements with the administration over flavored vapes. During the exchange, Sanders argued that the United States is the only major country not to guarantee healthcare, stating that thousands of people die due to lack of access and affordability.
Sanders asked if Overton believed medical care is a fundamental right for all citizens in the nation. Overton responded by stating that access to healthcare is very important and that she looks forward to carrying out policies vested from Congress to the FDA. Sanders asserted that she was not answering his question and pressed again, noting that he lives 50 miles from the Canadian border where residents can access doctors. Overton said she understands the importance of access to care and believes in getting patients the "best care possible."
The hearing shifted to prescription drug prices after Sanders moved on due to time constraints. He questioned whether President Trump was truthful in claiming the U.S. had moved from paying the world's highest drug prices to the lowest. Overton countered that 89% of branded drugs are covered by agreements to lower prices for U.S. consumers. She cited a framework championed by Trump, stating that most-favored-nation policies have dropped prices and that consumer price index data shows prescription drug prices fell by 3% for the first time in 60 years.
Sanders disputed the cause of the price decline, suggesting it may be related to legislation passed several years ago. The broader debate over Medicare for all and other government-run healthcare proposals continues ahead of November’s midterm elections.