Republicans prep for slowdown of Trump’s healthcare agenda

Republicans are preparing for a potential slowdown in President Donald Trump's healthcare agenda following Tuesday's midterms, where they could lose at least one chamber of Congress to Democrats. GOP aides working on health policy told reporters that a divided government could complicate the administration's healthcare efforts, which could happen in various ways depending on the magnitude of Democrats' victory on election night.

At the very least, Republicans anticipate that a new House majority will subject Trump administration health officials to oversight hearings on a range of topics, such as the measles outbreak, the reduction of global health aid, and Medicaid work requirements. These hearings are intended to question administration officials. Even if they do not produce unfavorable headlines, Republicans are ready for healthcare policymaking to become more difficult.

"Preparing for oversight and obstruction from Democrats will take 50% of our time and mean less ability to push for reforms and regulation," a former GOP congressional staffer explained. In recent weeks, two prominent Trump health officials have departed: Senior health adviser Calley Means and CDC Deputy Director Jennifer Shuford.

This development could further impede the confirmation prospects of several other nominees awaiting Senate votes, including Chris Klomp, who is slated to take a senior position at HHS, and Heidi Overton, who was appointed to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Former Republican officials have warned that a loss of Senate control could severely hinder the confirmation process for health-related nominees, such as those supporting abortion access or taking a libertarian stance.

Healthcare bills with bipartisan appeal, like those addressing hospital price transparency or food labeling, may still have a chance, but as one former health official noted, the overall outlook remains "mostly gridlock."