Two House committees with broad jurisdiction over health care are set to see significant turnover after the midterms, according to a new report. The Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee are both expected to gain multiple fresh Democratic members, driven by a combination of retirements and a possible wave election. The changes could reshape the early agenda on issues ranging from Medicaid to FDA funding.
The jockeying is not limited to the House. Similar competition is underway for key Senate committee roles, the report notes, citing earlier coverage. For lobbyists and advocacy groups, the influx of new lawmakers means more time spent courting offices that may have been less central to health policy fights in the past.
Because the report is based on a single source, there are no conflicting accounts to compare. The details reflect the current expectations of Democratic maneuvering ahead of the next Congress, when health policy is expected to be a central battleground.