Republicans are set to take control of the Senate in January, which means a new group of lawmakers will have more power over health care policy. With at least 51 seats in the chamber, the GOP defeated Democrats in Ohio and West Virginia, among other states.
The newly empowered Republican lawmakers will have chairmanships of important committees, allowing them to schedule hearings, mark up legislation, and conduct investigations. This shift in power gives them a bigger platform to advance their policy initiatives, especially in health care.
One key figure to watch is Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana. Cassidy is expected to lead the Senate health committee and has shown interest in reforming public health agencies like the NIH and CDC. He is also focused on drug pricing issues and Medicare hospital payment reforms.
Another influential senator is Mike Crapo from Idaho, who will play a key role in dealing with the expiration of the Trump tax cuts and the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies. Crapo has a track record of negotiating bipartisan health packages, showing his ability to work across party lines.
Sen. John Thune from South Dakota, who is up for a promotion, has worked on bipartisan efforts to streamline prior authorization and reform physician payment systems. He is also focused on rural health care and supporting rural hospitals in his state.
John Cornyn from Texas has experience in navigating vote counts as the GOP whip and has shown interest in patent reform in the pharmaceutical industry. He has been involved in drug pricing debates and addressing the opioid crisis in his state.
Sen. Roger Marshall from Kansas, though not in line to lead a health committee, has shown a willingness to be an independent thinker and bipartisan dealmaker. As an obstetrician, he brings credibility to health care discussions and has worked on legislation to better fund primary care.
Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee has forged unexpected partnerships to advance health priorities, including regulating fees for pharmacy benefit managers and calling for more scrutiny of Medicare Advantage plans. Coming from a state with a significant health care industry presence, Blackburn’s influence on health care policy is expected to grow.
Overall, these Republican lawmakers will play a crucial role in shaping health care policy as they take on leadership positions in the Senate. Their decisions and initiatives will have a lasting impact on the future of health care in the United States.
