Speaker's New Health Care Aide Could 'Bolster His Agenda'

Healthcare policy advisor Miranda Franco was quoted in an Law360 article profiling Drew Keyes, House Speaker Mike Johnson's pick for his senior policy adviser. Keyes is a policy analysis at the Paragon Health Institute and has more than a decade of congressional experience. Earlier this year, he responded to a request for information about on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) post-COVID. Ms. Franco commented that Keyes' response, along with other policy brief he's worked on, indicate he's mainly focused on addressing distrust in public health agencies.

"He tried to advance reforms that would rebuild that trust," she said, adding that this could be a key area of focus when it comes to funding healthcare programs. "I could see that as a continued focus as prospects for reauthorizing PAHPA remain in flux despite specific PAHPA programs being extended under the CR (continuing resolution) until Jan. 19."

Ms. Franco also explained that though there are concerns about the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), based on a previous report issued by Johnson with Keyes as a staffer, a repeal probably won't happen any time soon.

"We know the task force's policy solutions included repackaging Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and the Medicaid expansion funding into state grants, expanding the use of health savings accounts, removing ACA coverage mandates, promoting association health plans," she said. "However, I don't see this being an express focus in the short term."

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