McDermott lands top Dem spot on healthcare panel

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) snagged the top spot on a key healthcare subcommittee, House Democrats announced Tuesday.

McDermott is now the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. The top spot opened up after former Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) lost his reelection bid in November, and McDermott's selection was widely expected.

 McDermott, who is a doctor, was a strong supporter of President Obama's healthcare law. He supports a single-payer healthcare system and has introduced a bill to let states pursue single-payer on their own, in the absence of a more sweeping federal overhaul.

He has sharply criticized Republicans' plan to partially privatize the Medicare program — changes that would have to go through the health subcommittee if the GOP ever tries to put the plan on paper.

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