US Health Secretary resigns over private flights scandal

The White House announced the resignation of Thomas Price as Secretary of Health in response to the outcry over his improper use of military aircraft and private charter flights for himself and wife at the public expense. Their trips on military jets to Europe and Asia cost some $500m. Price pledged to reimburse the government for the cost of his own seat on domestic private aircraft – around $52,000 – but not to cover the cost of his military flights or those of is aides. The White House press office said the president had designated Don J. Wright of Virginia as acting Health Secretary with immediate effect.