But in his short tenure, Price not only misread the politics of repeal, he failed to assert himself as a power player on the No. 1 priority of his party, according to administration officials, lobbyists and state and federal officials involved in the repeal effort. He was sidelined from the administration’s efforts to sell lawmakers on GOP repeal proposals. More important, he never developed a close relationship with President Trump, which made it impossible to him to survive revelations that his use of private jets and military aircraft cost taxpayers more than $1 million.

“As a physician and former House member who understands health care policy, his inability to convince his former colleagues to pass health care reform is a black mark,” one health care lobbyist said. “… To call it a disappointment would be an understatement.”