APF Looks Toward the 108^th Congress

On January 7^th 2003, the 108^th Congress convened and elected its new leadership, after a midterm election that threw Congressional leadership back to the Republican Party, and after a major change in Senate Republican leadership. APF looks forward to working with the new Congress in pursuing opportunities to educate and advocate for changes in pain care in our health system. 

November’s midterm election brought back Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress, although in the Senate the majority is quite slim.  Nevertheless, Republicans will take charge of the health care agenda for this Congress, with promises to address a number of health care issues including Medicare prescription drugs, addressing the uninsured, and medical liability reform. However, given the unfinished business of the federal FY 03 budget and the climbing costs for homeland security and preparation for potential war overseas, budget issues will take priority in Congress later in January, most likely after the State of the Union address on January 28th. 

With the new Republican majority in the Senate also comes a new change in their leadership.  After remarks made by former Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) during a birthday celebration for retiring Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC), his continued leadership was perceived as a liability given the nature of his comments. Thus, Republicans selected Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) as Majority Leader for the 108th Congress. Senator Frist is a heart and lung transplant surgeon by training and is considered an expert in health care policy; he was first elected in 1994. Frist was a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and has served as the Chairman and Ranking Member of its Public Health Subcommittee. He has taken very visible roles in the stem cell research issue, Medicare, prescription drugs, and patient safety. Frist has indicated that he sees Medicare reform as a priority issue, but there have been no official announcements from his Majority Leader’s office. Frist is known to have a strong relationship with the White House, therefore many believe that the President’s health care agenda will receive much needed support by Senator Frist. 

The House of Representatives will also have new leadership this Congress.  Democrats elected Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as the new Minority Leader, after Dick Gephardt (D-MO) stepped down from that position.  Gephardt has declared his intent to run for the Democratic nomination for President in 2004. Pelosi moved up from the Minority Whip position and sits on both Appropriations and the Select Intelligence Committees. As the Ranking Member of the Select Intelligence Committee, Pelosi has been very involved in intelligence issues as they affect defense and homeland security. Her work on the Appropriations Committee has focused on health care, quality education, affordable housing, intelligence, national security and environmental protection. 

Tom Daschle (D-SD) will remain as the Senate Democrats leader as the Minority Leader, while Dennis Hastert (R-IL) will remain as the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, the most powerful position in Congress. 

APF sees more opportunities arising for promoting pain management and research given the commitment from the Administration and the Congressional leadership for addressing health care issues. Senator Frist has expressed interest in pain care and symptom management as a part of palliative care this past session of Congress, therefore APF will continue to work with the leadership to advocate for changes in pain care.