Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
With the Senate flipping to Republicans, here's a look at some of the key staffers on health policy who will gain power next year.
Sarah Schmidt, health policy director for Sen. John Thune
Thune is one of the two leading candidates to be majority leader next year, in which case Schmidt could play a key role in shaping health policy.
- She has industry experience at Aetna and was a health care staffer for Sen. Rob Portman during the 2017 repeal and replace effort, giving her experience at the center of a hotly contested health debate.
Jeff Last, health policy adviser for Sen. John Cornyn
Cornyn is the other leading candidate for majority leader, potentially giving Last a key role.
- Before Cornyn's office, Last worked with the pharmaceutical industry as a lobbyist for Bristol Myers Squibb and with the Alzheimer's Association.
- He also has experience on the House side with former Rep. Kevin Brady.
Drew Brandewie, chief of staff for Cornyn
Brandewie is not a health policy staffer but has a key role in advising Cornyn as chief of staff.
- He has a longtime connection to Cornyn, having served in his office in communications roles for over a decade before becoming chief of staff.
Amanda Lincoln, staff director for Senate HELP Committee Republicans
Heading into the majority on HELP, Lincoln could have a key role in debates over health nominees and setting the health agenda.
- She has a background in health policy as a former health adviser to Sen. Bill Cassidy — her current HELP Committee boss, who's likely to be the new HELP chair — and Sen. Susan Collins.
Danielle Janowski, deputy staff director for Senate HELP Committee Republicans
Janowski currently has a key role both in advising Cassidy and as a former staffer for Thune.
- Before joining HELP in 2023, she was health policy director for Thune.
Kellie McConnell, health policy director for Senate Finance Committee Republicans
The Finance Committee will be at the center of debates over extending ACA subsidies and doing oversight of the IRA's drug pricing provisions.
- McConnell is a longtime staffer for expected Chair Mike Crapo, having worked in his office over roughly a decade.
