As a result of the last federal election, Republicans took control of both chambers of Congress and new leadership was announced for U.S. House and Senate committees. While President-elect Trump does not take office until Jan. 20, the 119th Congress began Jan. 3. The 黑料网® (黑料网®) outlines here lawmakers serving in leadership roles on healthcare policy committees. In the House, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means are the key committees with jurisdiction over healthcare.
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) is the new chair of Energy and Commerce, and Rep. John Joyce, MD, a dermatologist (R-PA), is vice-chair. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) is the new ranking member. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), a pharmacist, is chair of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, and Rep. Neal Dunn, MD (R-FL), a urologist, is vice chair. While Democrats have yet to announce the ranking member of the subcommittee, Rep. Dianna DeGette (D-CO) is expected to serve in that role.
Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) remains chair of Ways and Means, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) is vice chair, and Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) is ranking member. Buchanan also serves as chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) is the ranking member. While its jurisdiction is Medicare focused, Ways and Means will likely play a large role in developing tax policy.
In the Senate, Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La), a gastroenterologist, will take over as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) after serving as the ranking member since 2023. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who previously served as chair of the committee, is now ranking member. Issues the committee may address include pharmacy benefit manager reform and site-neutral payment policies.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) switch roles on the Senate Committee on Finance; Sen. Crapo now is chair and Sen. Wyden is ranking member. Finance has jurisdiction over numerous healthcare-related agencies, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Finance also adds another physician to its roster, Sen. Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), an obstetrician.
As important as the leadership of the authorizing committees are, leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees play a large role in funding key departments, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, to name a few. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is House Appropriations chair and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is ranking member. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is Senate Appropriations chair and Patty Murray (D-WA) is ranking member.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact Ashley Walton, 黑料网 Director of Government Affairs.