The 2018 mid-term elections left a reshaped Congress, with nearly 100 new representatives and senators coming to Washington, DC. This much turnover has led to great opportunities for the Academy’s government relations department to build relationships with new members of Congress, many of whom have not held elected office before. The new class is the most diverse and the most educated in congressional history.
Topic(s): Advocacy, Medicare Telehealth Parity Act (MTPA), Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)
On January 3, 2019, the 116th Congress officially was sworn in. Having worked in Washington, DC, for a number of years, when Congress is inaugurated is one of my favorite days of the year. It is a day filled with celebration as the Capitol and surrounding buildings are filled with members of Congress and their families, congressional staffers, campaign staffers, constituents, and lobbyists.
Topic(s): Advocacy
As the dust settled from the midterm elections in November, the Academy, along with all DC policy shops, lobbying firms, and advocacy organizations began preparing for a new reality that would dominate Capitol Hill for at least the next two years: a split Congress.
Democratic candidates made sharp gains in suburban areas of the country, while Republicans maintained their dominance in more rural states. Both parties are able to claim national victories, with Democrats picking up 40 seats in the House and Republicans picking up two Senate seats.
Topic(s): Advocacy, Telehealth
