Jeb Bush leaving health care company

Jeb Bush is stepping down from the board of a health care company that has reportedly profited from Obamacare, a move that comes as the Republican explores a run for the presidency.

The former Florida governor’s resignation from the board of directors of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. is effective Dec. 31, a Bush aide confirmed Thursday. The Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal earlier reported on his departure.


Bush’s business record is considered a potential area of vulnerability for him should he decide to run in 2016. He has been involved in a range of ventures, including private equity funds. Those links have drawn comparisons to Mitt Romney, the GOP’s 2012 nominee for president, who was attacked during his campaign over his financial entanglements.

Bush’s decision on Tenet “is consistent with reviewing all of his commitments as part of actively exploring a potential run,” his aide said in a statement to POLITICO.

“It is a natural next step as he turns his focus to more actively considering a campaign for the presidency.”

According to various media reports, Tenet backed President Barack Obama’s health reform act and has seen its revenues rise from it. Bush’s involvement with Tenet could give ammunition to conservatives in the GOP who view him as too moderate — particularly those who despise the Affordable Care Act.

The L.A. Times report noted that Bush earned cash and stock awards worth nearly $300,000 from Tenet in 2013 and sold $1.1 million in Tenet stock that year. Tenet media officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Bush would be stepping down as a paid adviser to the British bank Barclays by year’s end. Aides to Bush have also said he has stopped delivering highly paid speeches; the Republican has plans to travel across the country to meet with voters as he mulls a White House run.