Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) has been announced as the committee’s leadership for the 115th Congress. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) will be the Vice Chairman of the full Energy & Commerce Committee. In addition, the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health will be chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), along with Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY). The Energy & Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over many of the AAO’s legislative healthcare priorities. In addition, the committee will play a key role in general healthcare reform in the 115th Congress. This is great news for the AAO, given the particularly strong relationship the association has developed with Dr. Burgess over the last several years.

As way of background, Dr. Burgess is a sponsor of the AAO’s RAISE Act and has supported the repeal of the medical device tax.  The AAO Political Action Committee (“AAOPAC”) has been a longtime supporter of Dr. Burgess’s re-election campaigns.