On December 13, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing the use and regulation of AI in the U.S. The main discussion centered around how Congress could pass comprehensive data legislation to set a national standard.
We caught up with our associate Zach Schulz to learn what drives him and why he is so valuable to our clients.
1. What are some of the highlights of your career?
The primary focus of my career has always been centered around this question: What can I do to bring about the change I wish to see and help people? Running for the State House in Iowa provided me with a valuable experience. Despite not securing a victory, the journey allowed me to learn extensively about the needs of constituents and connect with a multitude of amazing individuals. During my tenure in Senator Grassley’s (R-IA) office, a notable aspect of my role involved managing constituents’ calls and correspondence. The direct interaction with constituents helped me gain a deeper understanding of their needs. Listening to constituents amplified the importance of our legislative work, making the process of passing legislation feel even more crucial and impactful.
2. At what age did you realize your passion for politics and advocacy, and what sparked that interest?
I’ve been interested in history for as long as I can remember, and so I think the jump from history to politics was natural. My interest in political advocacy began when I checked out a book from the library on how to impact change in your community, and it flipped a switch in me. I knew from that moment on that politics was where I wanted to be, and I’ve felt the same way since.
3. When thinking about work, what excites you?
Getting answers. I love to help clients by getting into the weeds of policy research and finding the answers to any questions they have. It’s the challenge of diving deep into the details, understanding the intricacies, and delivering valuable solutions that truly drives my passion for the work. The satisfaction of providing clients with the clarity and information they need keeps me motivated and enthusiastic about every project.
4. Why did you leave the Hill, what motivated you to join the private Industry?
Working for Senator Grassley’s office was an incredible experience; it was and is an exceptional office, and the work was more than fulfilling. Despite my deep appreciation for the work I did in government, I found myself seeking new avenues to expand my skills. I developed a profound interest in healthcare policy while working there. To explore this passion further, I made the
decision to transition to the private sector, eager to view healthcare policy through a different lens outside of the government.
5. What’s one important question that I haven’t asked you yet?
I would ask if I see myself finding a passion for a policy area other than healthcare. And to that, I answer that my passion for healthcare policy started as a passion for public policy in general. I find passion in healthcare because I found it’s a great avenue to help enact large-scale change that can help a lot of people. That doesn’t mean that healthcare is the only policy area I can do that with. I have recently found myself getting more into energy policy as well. So, I can see myself having a wider range of policy expertise in the future, but healthcare policy will always be something I love.
On December 12, 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a markup of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. This bill creates new resources, training, tracking, and education to deal with opioid epidemic.
On December 8, 2023, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held the second day of their December meeting. The Commission discussed payment adequacy and update recommendations for nursing homes, home health agencies, and rehabilitation facilities.
White House Proposes Using March-In Rights to Lower Drug Costs
The Biden administration proposed guidance on Thursday outlining factors that federal agencies should consider in determining whether to use march-in rights to seize the patents of certain expensive drugs. Codified in the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, march-in authority allows the government to take over patents for drugs developed with taxpayer funds and share them with other drug companies if the public cannot reasonably access the drug. However, no federal agency to date has ever invoked march-in rights to break a patent over a drug’s high price. The announcement comes as President Biden plans to make lowering drug costs a key pillar of his health care platform for his 2024 reelection campaign.
Biden Administration Delays Ban on Menthol Cigarettes to 2024
A ban on menthol cigarettes that was originally schedule to take effect in December 2023 won’t happen until at least March 2024, according to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). While the Biden administration has so far declined to comment on the delay, the decision is likely due to lobbying from the tobacco industry, which has been fighting a similar ban in California. News of the delay has left anti-tobacco advocates devastated due to the public health impact of menthol cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that a ban on menthol cigarettes could prevent 300,000 to 650,000 smoking deaths over 40 years. Most of these preventable deaths are attributed to Black Americans, who smoke menthol cigarettes at higher rates.
Bipartisan Senators Seek Answers on Impact of Private Equity
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent letters on Thursday to seven companies in an effort to learn more about the impact of private equity on the health care industry. The letters include questions on financial relationships and whether private equity companies can determine business practices like staffing ratios, billing, and key personnel decisions. The senators’ inquiry reflects a growing scrutiny over the role of private equity in medicine, which critics say has been attributed to higher health care costs and utilization as well as lower-quality care. However, proponents of private equity contend that these firms play an important role in the health care industry by enabling growth and increasing the market power of smaller health care entities.
McCarthy, McHenry Announce Exits from Congress
This week, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and former Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) announced that they will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024. The announcements cap off a chaotic year in the House, where McHenry served as acting speaker for most of October 2023 following his close ally McCarthy’s historic ouster from the speakership. Known for his fundraising prowess, McCarthy will officially leave Congress at the end of 2023, although he has vowed to remain active in politics by working to recruit the next generation of Republican leaders. In contrast, McHenry will stay on until his term ends in January 3, 2025, which will surely be followed by a competitive race to determine who will be the next top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee.
ICYMI: Holiday Decorating Contest in Congress Draws Controversy
Launched in 2019, an annual holiday decorating contest for lawmakers’ offices on Capitol Hill has been largely a friendly affair. However, this year’s contest has ruffled a few feathers for being overly political. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has faced criticism from Democrats for his border security-themed decorations that feature a “Border Patrol Elves Only” sign on an office door, while the office of Mike Collins (R-GA) has a cardboard cutout that references Hunter Biden’s drug use. Fortunately, the majority of other members of Congress has taken a less political approach by choosing themes like local sports teams and Star Wars for their decorations.
