After the fall of Chairman Dingell (D-Mich.) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) several weeks back, it now appears increasingly certain that Chairman Rangel (D-N.Y.) of House Ways and Means, arguably the most powerful Chairman of the most powerful committee in the House, may go down as well.  WAM Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) has the greatest seniority to replace Rangel, although he is known as a somewhat uncontrollable firebrand.  ACC has a remarkably good relationship with Stark, even if we don’t like some of what he proposes. 

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) has emerged as a more interesting and perhaps bipartisan choice.  Becerra is a moderate Democrat, and he is a man of reason, and, in my opinion, one of the most intelligent members of the House. He is also a good friend. It could be positive for health care if he became Chair of WAM. However, he is also a highly regarded candidate to move into the Obama administration, which is considered likely (as chair of the Federal Trade Commission). Either way, we would be in good position to talk with the new Chairman if it happens.

< Back to Listings