Key Players and Health Policy Insights for 119th Congress

January 17, 2025 | Catherine Murphy

The 119th Congress

January 3, 2025, marked the start of the 119th Congress, and there is plenty on the agenda for new and returning members. Each new Congress brings a shake-up in the structure of House and Senate committees that make decisions crucial to America’s public health.

After the pomp and circumstance of the House Speaker election and member swearing-in ceremonies, the work starts. Members have a to-do list spanning the certification of President-elect Trump’s nominees for various agency positions, navigating the budget reconciliation process, and funding the government (the current Continuing Resolution funds the federal government at FY24 levels until March 14, 2025).

While there is so much unknown with a new Congress, government affairs professionals often reflect on previous actions and interests of both members and committees to anticipate and chart a path forward for advocacy activities. Below is a summary of potential priorities with the various incoming committee chairs. It is important to note, however, that much can change depending on global or domestic events.

Senate

With the November election, the Senate’s majority membership is currently held by the Republican caucus with 53 seats to the 47 held by Democrats (and those who caucus with them).

Finance

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) will be Chair of the Finance Committee. Among his priorities in health care, he has been outspoken about protecting access to telehealth services for seniors. While a longer-term extension of telehealth benefits was ultimately removed from the December Continuing Resolution, we can expect the Committee to continue working on this issue. He has also highlighted the importance of rural health care access and payment stability for doctors. In the previous Congress, he also spoke of the importance of finding the economic root of drug shortages.

Subcommittee on Healthcare

At the time of writing, the subcommittee has not yet chosen a chair.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), will step up as Committee Chair. His priorities as Ranking Member included Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform as well as site-neutral payment policy, which he has worked on with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). Chair Cassidy has spoken about his priorities in mitigating the physician shortage, cybersecurity in health care, and lowering chronic disease rates. Senator Cassidy also sponsors the Senate version of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize programs and services for mental health and substance use disorders.

Appropriations

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) will be the next Chair of the committee after serving as Vice Chair during the 118th Congress. Senator Collins founded the Senate Diabetes Caucus and the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease—two issues important to her work. She may also prioritize rural health care and preventing and treating substance use, which are salient issues for her constituents.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

At the time of writing, the subcommittee has not yet chosen a chair.

Special Committee on Aging

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is the chair of the Committee on Aging. His priorities for seniors include protecting and preserving Medicaid and Social Security, and supporting seniors’ health, financial security, and community.

Agriculture

Senator John Boozman (R-AR) secured Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, which has SNAP and WIC in its jurisdiction. While Senator Boozman is supportive of these programs and their benefit to public health, he also supports reform to ensure oversight of USDA’s spending. Senator Boozman is also Chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, which works to uplift policy that alleviates hunger both domestically and internationally. Additionally, he is a proponent of telehealth, community health centers, and efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

House

House Republicans maintained their majority membership by a razor-thin margin of 219 to 215.

Ways and Means

Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) remains Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy and numerous programs including Medicare and Social Security. In the 118th Congress, Rep. Smith worked to improve rural health care access and introduced legislation that would improve health care price transparency. In a May 2024 markup, Rep. Smith noted that mortality rates are 43% higher in rural areas due to lack of access to emergency and outpatient services. In February 2024, Ways & Means also held a hearing on drug shortages, working to understand drivers and potential changes to improve access to lifesaving drugs.

Subcommittee on Health

Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL) will remain Chair of the Health subcommittee. In September 2024, the committee held a hearing to examine chronic disease prevention and treatment. Alongside Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), he launched the Congressional Preventive Health and Wellness Caucus.

Energy and Commerce (E&C)

With the departure of Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) (previously Chair of E&C’s Health Subcommittee) will step up to chair one of the most powerful committees in Congress. One priority for the committee in the 118th Congress was reauthorization of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act. This reauthorization was ultimately removed from December’s CR, and there may be ongoing efforts to continue funding for these programs in the coming months. Chair Guthrie has also noted that site neutral payments and Medicaid reform are on the table for inclusion in a reconciliation package.

Subcommittee on Health

Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) will take over the Health Subcommittee. Telehealth is on his priority list—last Congress he introduced two telehealth bills, including the Telehealth Modernization Act, which was unanimously passed out of Energy & Commerce. He has shared that provisions that were ultimately removed from the December 2024 Continuing Resolution (including the SUPPORT Act, PAHPA, and a two-year telehealth extension) are a top priority for the panel during the start of the 119th Congress.

Appropriations

Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) remains Chair of the powerful appropriations committee. He has long advocated for health funding, including ensuring CDC has adequate resources. He is a firm supporter of federal funding for public health, from the impacts of reducing chronic disease outcomes to biosecurity.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS)

Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL) will continue in his role leading the L-HHS subcommittee. Historically, he has prioritized Medicare and biosecurity efforts.

Education and Workforce

Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) will take over as Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, which oversees employer health care benefits. One potential priority could be legislation to restore rules that expand access to association health care plans, which make it easier for small businesses to buy health insurance plans while avoiding some regulations.

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee

At the time of writing, the subcommittee has not yet chosen a chair.

Agriculture

Glenn (GT) Thompson (R-PA) will remain Chair of the House committee that oversees agriculture, as well as SNAP and WIC. In a markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (Farm Bill reauthorization), Chair Thompson shared his alignment with Sen. Boozman on ensuring SNAP benefits have appropriate guardrails.