Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) to Chair Important Health Care Committee

Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) has been selected by Republicans to Chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee when the 112th Congress is sworn in January 5. The Energy and Commerce has extensive jurisdiction over health care issues. Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) will be Chairman of the Health subcommittee.

In early December, Representatives Upton and Pitts coauthored a piece in The Hill calling for repeal and replacement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). While Representative Upton's primary focus will be on changing PPACA, with a Democrat-controlled Senate and a Democratic President, his success is uncertain.