A look at the new GOP senators on health policy – Roll Call

Republicans regained control of the Senate on Tuesday, meaning that in January, GOP lawmakers will be ready to help shape the federal government’s priorities for the next six years.

Other tight races had not been called as of late Thursday, including the race between Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, Arizona and between Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen and Republican Sam Brown, Nevada.

However, the new group of Republican senators so far appears to be highly critical of the 2010 health care law and strongly opposed to access to abortion.

Here’s a look at their priorities:

Jim Justice, RW.Va.

Justice replaces Sen. Retiring Joe Manchin III, IW.Va. Manchin, who until earlier this year identified as a Democrat, shares many of the same positions on health care, including opposition to abortion.

Justice, who switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2017, has signed one of the nation’s strictest legislative restrictions through 2022. It includes narrow exemptions for medical emergencies, rape and sexual relations with relatives but only at eight weeks of pregnancy in adults.

His campaign website says “there should be federal limits on abortion when babies are in pain.”

Justice rejected a 2017 Senate effort to repeal the 2010 health care law, telling the Charleston Gazette-Mail “it would cripple us beyond belief.” But he was tight-lipped about the law’s future, including whether he would support an extension of health care subsidies that expire at the end of 2025.

In March, Justice vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature that would have removed vaccination requirements for students in public public schools and allowed private schools to set their own standards.

In amending the bill, Justice said vaccination requirements “have kept our community safe.”

John Curtis, R-Utah

Curtis, a Republican member of Congress who represents a heavily Republican district, won his bid to replace Sen. Moderate Republican Mitt Romney. Curtis defeated a candidate endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump in the primary.

Curtis, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who also called himself a Democrat, has described himself as “pro-life” and said he supports Utah’s impending abortion ban.

In 2022, he joined Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., introduced a measure that would expand private dental coverage through the federal market. Also in 2022, he joined Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. introducing legislation that would allow people to voluntarily register on a “do not sell” list to prevent them from buying a gun to use in an attempt to kill themselves.

In Congress, he has focused on energy and environmental issues. He has identified climate change as one of his pet issues in the House and is co-chair of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus.

Jim Banks, R-Ind.

Banks, a Republican congressman from Indiana, won the seat to be vacated by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., whom Hoosiers elected governor.

Banks is an ardent and staunch Trump supporter who has been outspoken against abortion and healthcare for transgender people.

Speaking about abortion, Banks said she would support an abortion bill in the Senate that would stop “abortions of babies who are in pain and have a heartbeat, I will proudly vote for a bill to do that. ”

Under his previous leadership as chairman of the Republican Education Committee, the group released the “Fundamentals of the American Family” to “support efforts to end abortion.”

Banks introduced legislation this year that would allow health care providers to opt out of participating in abortions, although similar federal laws already exist.

He also spoke at a debate about transgender rights. In 2022, she petitioned for a bill that would make it a federal crime for a federal recipient to allow trans women or girls to participate in women’s or girls’ sports.

In 2017, Banks voted to repeal the 2010 health care law.

But Banks has also worked on issues with more bipartisan support, such as dealing with health care organizations.

Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio

Bernie Moreno, a political outsider and former auto salesman, has no policy background on health care.

His platform is light on health care issues except when he highlighted his support for “long-term abortion bans,” a statement he did not elaborate on. She said in an interview with The Hill that she supports “regular contraception” after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Moreno gained traction in the waning days of the election cycle by joking about suburban women over 50 who support abortion rights.

Moreno said he does not want to repeal the 2010 health care law but would like to give states more responsibility for Medicare and Medicaid.

Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.

Tim Sheehy, a political outsider who is the former CEO of Bridger Aerospace, opposes abortion and has said he supports “exceptions for rape, sexual relations with relatives and mother’s life” and that he believes that “any other limits must be left to each state.”

Sheehy criticized the 2010 health care law, saying “Couples face higher bills every year.”

He said he supports expanding telehealth, promoting transparency, competition and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, but hasn’t offered many specific policy proposals.

Dave McCormick, R-Pa.

McCormick, a former CEO of one of the world’s largest financial institutions, defeated Sen. Bob Casey, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Aging.

Regarding abortion, McCormick said he supports exceptions for rape, intimate partner sex and when the mother’s life is at risk but does not support a state ban.

He also said he supports restrictions on “long-term abortions” and wants to make contraception “more accessible and affordable.”

McCormick has been critical of the 2010 health care law, saying it opposes a provision that allows children to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.

McCormick also asked to bring back the 2022 reconciliation bill.