Rep. Brett Guthrie at the Capitol on December 5. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The House GOP steering committee on Monday selected Rep. Brett Guthrie to be the next chair of the Energy and Commerce Commerce, ushering in a new era for one of the top health committees on the Hill.
Why it matters: Guthrie will shepherd health policy under the new Republican trifecta, and could help push for policies like Medicaid reform, changes to PBM business practices and overhauling federal health agencies.
State of play: Guthrie has served as the chair of the E&C health subcommittee in the 118th Congress and is well-versed in health care policy.
- His office previously told Axios that his health care priorities for next year include oversight of the Inflation Reduction Act, holding drug supply intermediaries accountable, and strengthening health transparency.
- Guthrie's office also said he wanted to improve the response to the opioid and fentanyl crises, and to ensure that "the unborn are protected."
He's previously expressed support for changing the Medicaid program by implementing work requirements or "per capita caps."
- Medicaid cuts could factor heavily into talks around reconciliation next year.
- Guthrie also led hearings in the 118th Congress on COVID oversight and potential health agency reform, health transparency and the implications of the IRA's drug pricing policies.
- And he's the lead on the bipartisan opioid reauthorization bill known as the SUPPORT Act, which passed the House last December.
Guthrie was also one of the co-chairs for the GOP Healthy Futures Task Force formed under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
- He's spoken about his good relationship with incoming Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy, which could be helpful for negotiations next year.
What's next: The steering committee's pick still has to be finalized by the full House Republican conference, but that's largely a formality.
- That will likely happen at the beginning of next Congress, but the transition can begin now.
